Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Rey purposefully kept her head angled down. This allowed the edge of her hood to obscure her surroundings so she could pretend she was somewhere else, anywhere else, doing anything else. She focused on her steps. Right foot, left foot. Right, left, right. She took a deep breath and ignored the uncomfortable sweat collecting on her lower back. Left, right, left, right, left. Her legs were so numb that she couldn’t feel them anymore. Right, left, right. Another deep breath. Everything was fine. She was okay. She was prepared. Rey could do this, she knew she could. She very pointedly tried not to think about whether she truly wanted to or not.

She didn’t look up until she reached the edge of the sidewalk. Her eyes searched for a street sign, then her already tense stomach tightened further. She was here. Hosnian Ct.

Poe had told her and Joph that walking around a neighborhood like this one, with hoods up at night in the middle of summer, would be suspicious. Rey drew in a shaky breath, then dropped her hood and let her hair fall over her shoulders.

She turned in a stiff motion. Every time Rey had been on this road previously, she’d been with Joph. She wasn’t particularly close with Joph, but his presence had made her feel more secure. It felt scary to be all by herself. Rey considered fleeing back home. No one knew she was coming, so no one would know if she gave up.

But Rey would know. And she also knew the things she would have to go without if she didn’t get through this.

Rey thought of Poe, and of the doubting, amused look he’d given her when she’d asked to join Joph on the job, after she overheard the two men speaking about it. She thought of how surprised Poe would be if—no, not if, she had to be confident—when she flawlessly pulled this off. Rey had become too disillusioned with this lifestyle to care about impressing Poe any longer, but the ability to be smug while she deposited tonight’s haul didn’t seem so bad either. She thought about how much money she could get from this. If she pulled this off, and without having to split with Joph—well, maybe Rey could settle down a bit. Or forever. Could give up stealing, move closer to the community college’s campus, and get a normal job. She would never have to steal anything ever again. 

Rey walked forward, this time at a slower pace. She was ready, or at least she hoped she was ready. 

Rey wanted to go to school and learn and make friends and see the world, but right now she was just Rey, the poor foster kid turned thief. She wanted to do something cool and exciting, except not the stressful pre-theft jitters type of exciting, but a fun, no-pressure exciting. She wanted to be a normal person with hobbies and a path in life. Rey would describe her life as aimless, except for the fact that she had plenty of goals, it was getting to them that was the problem. 

She wasn’t entirely antisocial, but didn’t have any real, close friends, no one who made her want to stay here, and had never grown close to her foster dad, Unkar. Rey desperately wanted to move and get a normal job, anything that wouldn’t result in a felony charge if she made a mistake. She had applied to too many to count, but so far she’d had no luck. So Rey was stuck here, working with Poe. If tonight went well, she wouldn’t be stuck anymore. Tonight could change everything.

The houses in this neighborhood were so much more spread out than where Rey lived with Unkar. It took what felt like forever to pass by the first three houses, plus their massive driveways and yards.

Then she was there. And of course, a house this size in this sort of neighborhood had a gated driveway—if a strip of concrete this long could still be considered a mere driveway. Through the gate, Rey could just barely catch a glimpse of a car. A white, old, thoroughly run-down piece of junk that seemed out of place in its otherwise affluent surroundings. It looked like the kind of car Rey could afford. Poe had told her and Joph that its presence didn’t indicate someone was home, that the couple never used it.

Rey approached and rang the bell to ensure the house was empty, just like Poe had told her to. Poe might as well have been here, instructing her every movement. Once, Poe had told Joph that Rey was an “obedient amateur”—Rey took this as a compliment, though it also felt somewhat backhanded. It didn’t matter anymore, she wouldn’t have to hear it after tonight.

No answer. Rey took a breath, waited two minutes, and pressed it again. Her fingers trembled as she did so.

Still no response. A good sign. Rey stepped away and walked further down the sidewalk until she reached the edge of the property. Then she raised her hood back over her hair and stepped into the opening between this fence and the next house’s.

Rey walked until she thought she was about halfway down the property. It was difficult to judge this in the low light, and because she’d never before been so close to a house this large. She checked over her shoulder, and yes, she was far enough from the sidewalk now. Then Rey heaved herself over the fence.

The backyard alone might’ve been larger than Unkar’s whole property. Rey immediately felt jealous and desperately tried to cling to this emotion. They’re ridiculously wealthy, she thought, trying her best to drown out the guilt and fear that were warring against her actions. Anything to rationalize this to herself. They clearly have enough. Doing this is okay, but another part of her screamed back, No, it isn’t, it isn’t, it isn’t.

On weak, shaking legs, Rey made her way towards the back door.

This is the last chance to make it look like a misunderstanding, Poe’s voice in her head said. Rey knocked. Waited. Knocked again, louder. Her heart was racing so intensely that she could feel her pulse in her eyes. Inwardly, she begged, Someone answer. Someone answer so I can leave.

The house remained still, dark, and quiet.

Rey checked her watch. Poe had said they would likely be out until 11pm. Rey had plenty of time. She pulled a pair of gloves from her pocket and put them on.

She tried the door handle and, to her surprise, it sank under her touch. Poe had made her practice picking a thousand locks for anything they might have to get through tonight. But the last thing Rey had been expecting was an unlocked door. She forced herself to take this as a good sign.

Rey pushed the door open. She expected something to happen—for a secret alarm to go off, for a swarm of law enforcement officers to appear, for her guilt to explode and make her finally leave. But no. Nothing happened, except for a sharp pang in her stomach. It was uneventful, though she felt sick.

Rey’s stealing had started small, in middle school, just snacks from convenience stores when she was hungry. Eventually, she began taking perfume and trinkets from the mall and selling them to the older girls at her high school. Then, Rey met Finn, who introduced her to Poe. She really made money now, from pocketing jewelry or small electronics at the mall and passing them on to Poe to sell. While Finn, Joph, and Stekan came back from houses or cars with large hauls for Poe, Rey exclusively stuck to shoplifting. Less risk meant less reward, but Rey rarely felt a lick of guilt after stealing from a store. It was easy to twist stealing from a company into being okay, even though Rey knew deep down that it wasn’t. Guilt swirled in her stomach now. She already regretted her actions. Rey was about to go inside someone’s home, without permission and with bad intentions. This was flat wrong, and she was disgusted with herself. Just not enough to give up a potential score this size.

Joph had been planning tonight with Poe for the past few weeks, talking strategies and potential dates. On the day Rey insisted she be included, Poe had told her that she wasn’t ready for something like this. He’d reiterated the same thing this morning, when he’d called to tell Rey the job was off because Joph was incapacitated, whatever that meant. Poe had sounded so smug on the phone that it drove her crazy. He hadn’t entertained, not even for a moment, that Rey could handle this alone.

She was about to find out if he was right.

As much as she wanted this to go effortlessly and then, more importantly, to be over, a part of Rey hoped something would happen to stop her. Then, at least she wouldn’t be the kind of person who could pull off a burglary. That wasn’t who she wanted to be.

Rey took a step inside, as gingerly as she would if she were walking on a minefield. Still nothing. Another step. She gently shut the door behind her.

Rey didn’t take time to marvel at how gorgeous the dining room was, or at the shiny marble floors. She refused to glance at the large family portraits on the wall. None of it was hers to see. Looking at people’s things felt as creepy as planning to steal them. Rey’s presence was enough of an invasion as it was, so she kept her gaze focused on the floor as much as she could.

She headed to the second level, taking the stairs two at a time, then moved down the hallway to where Poe had said the master bedroom was. The door banged against the wall as she pushed into the room. Her whole body shook with fear and disgust and adrenaline. Rey felt as though she was barely in control of her movements.

Jewelry. All Poe wanted from the house was jewelry. Rey pushed open the first door she saw—why did rich people have so many doors in their bedroom?—and yes, thankfully, this was the closet.

Rey opened drawers and tiny cabinets, and shoved everything that sparkled or shone into her backpack. She could hardly hear the clatter of metal over the rushing and pounding in her head. This was so dangerous, and so, so wrong. Rey could’ve vomited at any moment. She grabbed every piece of jewelry she could find, then fumbled to zip her bag.

The newly added weight on her back helped Rey stay grounded and focused as she carefully shut the drawers, then the closet door, then finally the bedroom door. Go, go, go. Home stretch. She was almost done, almost out.

And then—no.

No. A man. A man, facing her, standing in the middle of the hallway. Standing between Rey and the stairs and freedom. A man in the house that Poe had known would be empty.

“Hi,” was all he said.

Rey opened her mouth, but she couldn’t speak. Jail. Prison. Rey honestly didn’t know the difference between the two, but she was going to one. Was one worse than the other? She would probably go to whichever was worse. The job that would’ve sent her to college was going to get her arrested.

A wave of heat rushed over her. Rey contemplated whether she could’ve been in a nightmare. Maybe this wasn’t happening. Maybe she wasn’t a person who would break into someone’s home to rob them. Maybe she was making all of this up in her head.

Her lips twitched, but Rey still didn’t speak. She took in his appearance: his curious gaze, all black clothes, a black baseball hat covering a mess of dark hair, and the black backpack gripped in one hand. He looked like a masculine, much larger version of her. Like he’d also dressed with the intention of blending in with the night. Like he hadn’t wanted to be seen because he wasn’t supposed to be here either.

A realization sparked in Rey’s brain. He couldn’t have lived here. He didn’t look much older than Rey. This was no state politician’s husband. Wheels turned in her head, and irritation began to replace the fear. Poe had trusted someone to do this alone, and that person wasn’t Rey. It wasn’t even Finn or Stekan.

Rey carefully emphasized each word as she asked, “Are you with Poe?”

He hesitated. “Am I… with… Poe? I’m alone.” Rey took in a breath, but before she could respond, he added, “Are you here with Poe?”

Annoyance flickered inside Rey. “Well, yes, I am, but he’s obviously not literally here right now.”

Plainly, he said, “Yes, obviously.”

“Well, you’re too late. I’m done.” Rey leaned back on her heels, then forward, so he could hear the metal shift in her bag. “So you’re not really needed anymore.”

“Oh, no.” He considered her for a few moments.

Rey didn’t like how direct his attention felt. Her face warmed. “Um. I know we have time, but we should probably head out now.” Rey had to squeeze between the man and the wall to pass him. After she did, he finally moved and followed her down the stairs.

“We’re lucky they don’t have an alarm system,” Rey said as they went, hoping some light conversation would distract her from how upset she felt at Poe. Why did Poe trust whoever this was more than Rey? She had never been caught, and she made Poe a great deal of money—well, a good deal of money, at least, maybe not great. But why wouldn’t he have told her he was sending someone else in place of her and Joph? If Poe had sent Finn, alright, Stekan might have stung, but someone Rey had never seen before? Burglary wasn’t something Rey wanted to be good at, but it still oddly hurt that Poe preferred a stranger over her.

“They have one, they just never set it,” said the man.

More anger rushed into Rey. When had Poe shared this info with him? It was only days ago that Poe had assured her and Joph that the house was completely unprotected.

Not wanting to seem out of the loop, Rey quickly said, “I know, that’s what I meant. That we’re lucky it’s not on.”

She paused when they reached the back door. Rey swallowed the mounting guilt and asked, “If we’re both here, do you think we should take something else?” In case Poe pressured her into splitting the money with someone who’d done nothing to help her, Rey wanted her half to be as large as possible.

“Something else?”

“Yeah.” Then, a thought occurred to Rey, and she asked, “Did you drive here?” If he had a car, they could potentially get something big. Nothing massive enough to get them noticed, but something larger than could fit in their backpacks.

“I did, I’m parked out front. Sorry, but—”

“You parked on the street?” Rey couldn’t help how much her voice rose in both pitch and volume. “As in—on this street? What if someone remembers your car? Or gets your license plate?”

He blinked. “It—it doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t matter?”

“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I think—”

Rey had no issue interrupting him to say, “We need to leave now, then.” How could Poe have sent someone so sloppy and useless in her place? This was who Poe trusted more than her? Oh, Rey couldn’t wait to chew Poe out. She stomped to the back door, and held it open while he—her partner now, she supposed—walked through it. He gave her a strange look as he did, which Rey ignored. She wished she were doing this with Joph as planned.

He hesitated while Rey headed straight for the back corner of the yard, but then followed her silently. When they reached the fence, Rey immediately tried to pull herself up and over it. This proved more difficult than before, with her heavier backpack swinging and weighing her down.

Then two large, warm hands were on her waist, pushing her up. Rey flinched at the touch and almost snapped at him, but she did make it over the fence, so she swallowed her words. He effortlessly climbed over after her.

Rey faced him and cleared her throat. “I’ll mention to Poe that I ran into you.”

He nodded. “Alright.”

“I’m sure he’ll still want to give you a cut.” Even though it was Rey who’d done everything. Even though this stranger was a liability, and she had no idea why Poe trusted someone arrogant enough to park their car outside the house they were robbing, and—

“That works.”

Rey gave him a quick, tight, forced smile, then headed for the tree line behind the house. She would cross the woods, then the road, and make her way home.

But Rey paused when she didn’t hear movement behind her. She turned around, and he was still standing in the same spot. “What are you doing?” Rey asked.

“I don’t know. Where are you going?”

“Home,” Rey said. He only stared at her, so she added, “I was going to drop everything at Hux’s tomorrow morning. Is that okay?”

“Sure.” He still looked at her oddly.

She swallowed her annoyance. “Did you want to drop it off at Hux’s tonight? I just—” Rey flushed a little, which he likely couldn’t see in the dark, thankfully. “I still live at home, and so I kind of have a curfew. But if you want to take it to the bar tonight, that’s fine.”

“Yeah. Sure, I can do that.”

She felt a twinge of disappointment and immediately regretted offering. Rey had wanted to see Poe’s face when she gave him the haul, had hoped to earn some sort of praise from him. An apology for underestimating her. But she could still get that when she visited in the morning.

He didn’t move towards her, so Rey trudged back. “Take it.” Rey removed her backpack and handed it to him.

He took it, staring at the bag. “Thanks,” he said. “I’ll take this to… the bar.”

“I’m going to see Poe tomorrow,” Rey said, trying to steel her voice to sound tough. “So he’ll know I was here. That we did it together”—saying this felt bitter in her mouth—“so there’s no point in you telling him I wasn’t here, if that’s something you were thinking of trying to do. And you should probably mention you didn’t get here until I was finished. And that I handled everything perfectly by myself.”

“I’ll be sure to do that.”

“Do—” Rey almost asked him more questions, but stopped herself. They were right next to the house, and they needed to leave, especially if he was parked out front. “I’ll see you around, I guess. Probably at Hux’s or something. Maybe tomorrow.”

“Right.”

Rey turned and walked away, but stopped. When she faced him again, he still stood in the same spot she’d left him in. Rey said, “Sorry. I really don’t want to sound like—like that person, but you should probably tell Poe that you didn’t get here until I was already finished.”

“I was just thinking that,” he said dryly. Maybe sarcastically. Rey wasn’t always good at telling.

Her eyes narrowed. “Okay. Aren’t… aren’t you leaving?”

“Yes.” He finally took a step back. “Goodbye.”

“Bye.” This time, when she turned away, Rey didn’t look back at him.

The bar that Poe owned, Hux’s, officially opened at 11am on Fridays, but he usually got there early. When he arrived, Rey was already waiting for him outside, with her bike propped against the building and her foot tapping.

“Hey, little buddy,” Poe said, in a tone that made it seem like he was surprised to see her.

“Good morning.”

Poe’s eyes moved from her, then to her bike, then back. “Nothing for me today?”

Rey forced out a laugh. “I think last night was good enough for a while, don’t you?” She took a deep breath, preparing to begin the “who the hell was that last night, also I told you I could do this, and by the way I’m done with this life once I get my payout” spiel she’d been rehearsing in her head since she returned home last night.

Before she could start it, however, Poe asked, “What do you mean, last night?” He didn’t look at her as he unlocked the door.

“I… my bag was heavy.” Rey dropped her tone as she followed him inside. Her bravado was already waning. She’d expected a congratulations, an apology, an advance, and potentially some minor ego stroking. Not confusion. “From the house I was going to hit with Joph.”

“I told you that we would try to reschedule that for when Joph was available.” There was an annoyed edge in Poe’s voice that made Rey bristle.

“So you wanted us to rob them twice? Again, after that guy you sent last night?”

“What are you talking about?” His face flattened. Poe, who was typically boyish and upbeat, looked somewhat intimidating when he wasn’t smiling. Displeasure laced his voice when he said, “Rey, please tell me you didn’t try to do a job like that alone, for your first time. I called you and said it was off.”

Rey gaped. “Try? I—I did it. All by myself. I got everything. I didn’t… I didn’t need anyone’s help.”

“Well then, where is everything, buddy?”

“Your—he…” As she trailed off, Poe gave her a pitying look that made Rey’s blood heat.

“You don’t have to be embarrassed that you didn’t go through with it. You’re younger than everyone else, and it was your first time planning something like this. A B&E’s a big step up from shoplifting. I said you wouldn’t be able to—”

Rey was out the door before Poe finished.

Her knees trembled as she climbed onto her bike, zig-zagging down the sidewalk as she rushed away. How stupid could she be? She’d handed everything over to a total stranger, a person whose name she hadn’t even bothered to ask—of course he’d cut her out. Who wouldn’t?

She blinked frustrated tears from her eyes. All that stress, all that risk, and now Rey had nothing to show for it.

Chapter Text

Poe: Hey buddy
Poe: Your partner’s here
Poe: Come by soon, I’ll be around all afternoon 

She read the texts from Poe at least ten times before responding.

Rey: What do you mean?

Poe: That you’re going to be a very rich woman

Her heartbeat echoed in her ears as Rey furiously biked back to Hux’s. 

The summer humidity made her thighs stick to the edges of her bike seat, and when Rey quickly dismounted, a sharp sting was left behind. Even though there were plenty of people milling around, Rey didn’t bother to lock her bike. She pushed inside the bar, ignored a greeting from a lone customer, and raced down to stand in front of Killian, one of the regular bartenders.

She didn’t attempt to catch her breath before speaking. “Where?” Rey wheezed. “Where is he? In the back, or—”

As usual, Killian appeared annoyed. “They’re all upstairs. And it wouldn’t kill you guys to ask me how I’m doing sometimes, you know.”

Rey knew how rude she was being, but she ignored this and instead rushed to climb the tight staircase to the second level. Rey pushed into Poe’s office without knocking and froze when multiple pairs of eyes turned to look at her.

Poe sat in his desk chair, and Finn was, unsurprisingly, perched on the counter behind him.

In a chair across from Poe’s desk sat the man from last night. Rey’s stomach tensed.

All three of them held short glasses filled with amber liquid. Her unzipped backpack lay in the middle of Poe’s desk.

“Hi,” Rey said, trying to stifle her heavy breathing so she seemed calmer. “Hey.”

Poe grinned. “Not so little anymore, are you, buddy? I should’ve known you could handle this without Joph.”

Rey tried not to let her face show how flattered she felt, though it was difficult when she was still trying to control her panting. 

“What do you mean? Of course I could handle it,” she said, aiming to sound nonchalant as she slid into the free chair, right next to the stranger. 

Finn filled a glass and passed it to her, and Rey accepted, though she knew she wouldn’t drink it.

Poe began to ramble about the quality of the gold and jewels and other things Rey couldn’t care less about. She wanted the money Poe would make from the sales, she didn’t need the details. 

As Poe spoke, Rey eyed the man next to her. His gaze was fixed on Poe, but eventually, his eyes slid to hers. He returned her stare until they both looked back to Poe, when Poe pulled a tiny black box from the bag with a verbal flourish.

“And these,” he said, “these are such beautiful diamonds.” Poe turned the box so that the opening faced her and twirled it, allowing the stones to catch rays of light. “You did so well. Better than I ever expected. So much so that I’m not even mad you pulled in an outsider without clearing it with me first.”

Last night, Rey had grabbed a plethora of bracelets and necklaces. She racked her memory, but couldn’t recall seeing or taking anything that had been in a box. Had she been so nervous that she hadn’t noticed? And outsider? So Poe truly didn’t know him? Confusion settled over Rey. She shot a glare at the stranger before she addressed Poe. “Sorry… where are those from?”

Poe laughed. “Very funny.” He snapped the box closed. “We’ll put everything in the vault downstairs, then we can discuss expected timelines for payments.”

As Poe and Finn left, Poe ruffled Rey’s hair. His doing this always annoyed her, but the confusion swirling inside Rey mixed with the thought of how much cash she’d be getting, and these feelings distracted her from complaining.

When Finn closed the door behind them, there was a heavy sort of quiet left behind in the office. 

She was alone with him now. Rey looked at the stranger, multiple questions swirling in her head, but he spoke first.

He twirled his drink as he said, “Piece of advice? You should learn to enunciate. I spent all day looking for a Hugs bar. You’re lucky I gave up and looked through maps. I’m Ben, by the way.”

Rey took a deep breath. There were too many questions she wanted to ask. She began with, “Where did those earrings come from?”

“Your bag.”

She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head.

“What?” Ben asked.

“I don’t remember taking those.”

“Was the backpack I brought in not the one you handed me?”

“There… I didn’t see anything in boxes. There weren’t any earrings.”

Ben shrugged. “Maybe take them back to the house and ask.”

Her heart rate had finally returned to normal. Rey surveyed him, and he appeared calm, his expression flat. Quietly, Rey said, “I thought you ripped me off.”

“Clearly I didn’t.”

“Poe told me he didn’t send anyone to help me last night.”

“Interesting man. Does he have a lot of teenage girls hanging out at his bar?”

Rey flushed and sat up straighter. “I’m almost twenty. But no, I’m the only girl that… works with them.”

Ben hummed and nodded. “Well, anyways, I’ve been thinking a lot about my cut. And it’s not fair.”

Rey dug her nails into her palm, preparing to stand up for herself even though the idea of pushing back was unnerving. She had to hold onto as much of the money as she could. She was so close to being free. “Fair? You didn’t do anything. I was already finished when you got there—”

“I know.”

“—and I could’ve easily done it all without you. I mean, I did do it without you. So I don’t think you getting more is anywhere near the realm of fair. I don’t really understand what makes you think you should get anything more than whatever Poe already promised you.”

When Rey paused for air, Ben jumped on the opportunity to speak. “Very true,” he said. “So you keep all of it. Everything. Okay?”

“I… what?”

“You should take a one hundred percent cut. To my zero.” Ben leaned forward and set his mostly full glass down on Poe’s desk. “Don’t worry about it. Seriously.”

“Why would you agree to that?”

He shrugged again. “You’re completely right. I didn’t help you with the, uh… breaking-in parts. And it doesn’t seem fair if I take any of your credit.”

“But you didn’t… how did you even know what was happening there last night? Why were you there? Who even are you?”

He glanced away from her. “I told you, I’m Ben. And I wasn’t supposed to be there. I don’t…” Ben seemed to change his mind then, and cleared his throat. “Listen—”

“Ninety/ten?”

“No, thank you, though. But…” Ben sighed. “No offense, but you sort of ruined my night.”

Rey only stared at him. She didn’t know how to respond. She had ruined his night?

Ben waited, then continued when Rey stayed quiet. “No, please, don’t rush to apologize, but I… if you would do me a… favor”—the pointed way he said this made Rey’s eyes narrow—“I would count us as completely even. No split, it’s all yours. If you get what I mean? If you’re… willing to do that?”

Rey pushed her shoulders back, trying to look larger, even though no one could look anything but tiny next to his broad body. “I’m not having sex with you,” she said coolly, aiming to sound tough.

Ben inhaled and took a moment to clear his throat. “Jesus Christ. No. That’s not—”

Rey flushed. “Well. You said—I just—”

“Do the guys here make you—”

“No,” she said quickly. “I thought—I mean, when you said—” Rey broke off, biting the tip of her tongue. “Sorry. I wasn’t trying to make it seem like you were like that.”

Ben nodded. There was a faint flush to his cheeks now. “Well, that’s not the, uh, most far-off thing you could’ve guessed. Do you think you could… come to a thing with me this weekend? It’s tomorrow, actually.”

“A thing?”

Ben paused before answering. “A party.”

“Why do you need me to come to a party with you?”

As though he were choosing his words very carefully, Ben slowly said, “I got caught in a lie. My parents thought I’d been out of the country, but thanks to you, I had no choice but to run into them, and now I don’t have an excuse to miss the event. Or… well.” He sighed. “I—I made one up, but it didn’t work.”

“What was your excuse?”

Ben shifted in his seat, no longer looking at her. “I told them I was spending the day with my girlfriend and couldn’t make it.”

“Aw,” said Rey. “That’s really sweet.”

“Thanks. Except I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“Oh.”

Ben cleared his throat. “So do… do you think that maybe you could go with me? As my… her?”

“Her?”

“Like, as my girlfriend.”

She laughed, but Ben didn’t join in. Rey stopped and said, “Wait. Are you serious?”

“I just… my family is a lot.” Ben rubbed his forehead. “They’re expecting me to bring a girl now. And for her to be my girlfriend. And I think it’ll be worse if I don’t bring anyone, and it’ll become an even bigger thing.”

Rey considered this. She thought about how much she was going to make once Poe began selling the jewelry. Thought about how she could finally go to community college and maybe not have to worry about working during her first semester. One party, in exchange for that? “I’ll go,” Rey said.

“Great.” Ben looked relieved, but still unhappy.

“I can give you my number,” she offered.

“Yeah. Sure, thanks.”

And she figured she should introduce herself at this point, so she said, “I’m Rey.”

“Poe told me your name,” Ben said quietly as he handed Rey his phone so she could enter her number. “Um—my family can be… complicated, I guess. And there will be a lot of people there tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

“I just wanted to warn you,” he mumbled.

Rey showered first thing the next morning, styled her hair, and put on a bit of makeup. Ben had told her that people were dressing formally, and Rey didn’t have a lot of nice clothes, but she slipped on the only dress she had that could hopefully meet this standard.

She watched the driveway from her window until Ben’s car pulled up. It was a nicer one than she’d expected, something that definitely wouldn’t have been suspicious parked in front of the house from last night. Rey stood and went to meet him.

He was approaching the front door when Rey opened it and stepped outside.

“Hey. Is this formal enough, do you think?” Rey fingered the hem of her dress, extending it in Ben’s direction. “Sorry, it’s kind of the only dress I have that’s nice.”

Ben nodded. “Hi. Yeah. You—it looks good.”

“Thanks. Why’d you get out of your car? You could’ve just texted.”

“I think you’re supposed to knock on a first date. Polite for the parents, and all.”

“Well, it’s not a real date,” she reminded him. “Also, I don’t really have parents. And my foster dad’s at work.”

Ben nodded sharply and didn’t respond.

They got into his car and drove towards the party in silence until Rey got sick of the quiet.

She asked, “What is it for?”

“What is what for?”

“The party.”

“Oh.” Ben’s jaw was clenched, and his hands were so tight around the steering wheel that his knuckles were highlighted. “My mother and uncle. Today’s their birthday.”

“Aw. Twins?”

“Yes,” Ben said shortly.

After a minute, Rey spoke again. “Are you okay? You seem kind of… grumpy.”

He glanced at her. “What? I don’t seem grumpy.”

“You do a little.” Ben scowled at this, and Rey laughed. “See? Sorry. Want to tell me what’s wrong?”

He sighed. “I’m not… all that close with my family. And I wasn’t really counting on seeing them when I was in town. I was supposed to be gone again by now.”

“I’m sorry,” Rey said, even though a part of her felt jealous that he had a family to avoid.

“Thanks. It’s fine.”

They temporarily stopped while Ben waited for an opportunity to turn. A familiar sign caught Rey’s attention. Hosnian Ct.

At a low volume, Rey murmured, “This is the way I walked to that house.”

“Sorry?”

“The street sign,” she said louder. “We’re on the same road as that house now.” She laughed awkwardly. “Good thing we’re dressed a lot differently.”

“Is that something you worry about often? Someone having seen you?”

“I don’t know. I guess.” Rey paused before continuing, “Honestly, Thursday night was my first time doing something like that. It’s not really my thing. But I wore gloves, so I don’t have to worry about fingerprints or anything. Don’t you get nervous about the police and stuff?”

Ben cleared his throat. “We don’t need to worry about the police.”

“Poe says rich people always report it when stuff goes missing. For insurance or whatever.”

“That didn’t happen. I promise.”

“They were loaded. Why do you think they wouldn’t have called?”

Ben sharply turned the wheel, and panic suddenly pinch-gripped Rey’s insides.

At once, she asked, “What the fuck are you doing?”

Quietly, Ben said, “I’m sorry.”

An anxious, burning sensation spread across her skin. Every fight or flight instinct she possessed told Rey to run. She reached to unbuckle her seatbelt, intent on leaping from the car, but Ben turned and extended a large arm across her body, keeping Rey against the seat.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, his voice shaky and desperate. “I’m not going to use the community’s valet, so we’ll be able to leave right when we want to. I’ll drive you home in a couple of hours. Whenever you want. Please don’t go now.”

“What?” Her ears rang as her eyes flicked around. Ben had parked the car at the base of the driveway in front of the house from last night. He had brought her back here. He’d tricked her, turned her in or something, and—

“Please? Two hours max. Would that work? I’m so sorry, Rey, but please.”

“Did you call the police?” Rey’s knees quivered. Could she run if she had to? Was there even a point in fleeing if Ben had her name and phone number and could easily pass them on to the police? Her legs suddenly felt like Jell-O. “Ben, please don’t—”

“What? No, no, of course I didn’t. The party’s here,” he said quickly. “I didn’t—no, I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“You…” Rey’s lips moved, but her thoughts were flying too fast for speech to catch up. “You…”

“I’m sorry. I’m not sure I can do this alone. But I mean it: two hours, then we can leave.”

“You know the people who live here?” Rey whispered.

Ben’s face fell. “Unfortunately.”

“I don’t—” Rey started, but then she gasped, and they both flinched as a loud thump came down onto Ben’s car.

A man, grinning from ear to ear, slapped the hood again.

Ben sighed and rolled his window down. His voice was a high-pitched imitation of elation when he said, “Hey, Uncle Lando. It’s so good to see you.”

“Benny boy, it’s been ages since I last saw you. Get out of there and give me a hug.”

Ben silently complied, leaving Rey alone in the car. With shaky knees, she opened the door and walked around the vehicle to join them.

Stiffly, Ben said, “This is my… girlfriend, Rey. Rey, this is my godfather, General Lando Cal—”

“Benny, I am way too drunk to be called a general right now.” He clapped Ben on the shoulder, and Ben sneered quickly, out of Lando’s sight.

“Very pleased to meet you,” she said, extending her hand. Did that sound fancy and rich-people-adjacent enough? Rey hoped so, even as her heart pounded. She couldn’t believe that she was back here.

Lando laughed and shook her hand. His grip was so firm that her hand throbbed for a few seconds after he released it.

“It’s great to meet you too, Rey. Oh, Han and Leia are going to love you. Let’s get inside.” Lando didn’t wait for either of them to answer or follow him before he stumbled up the driveway to the house.

Ben waited, watching until Lando was far enough away. He dropped his voice and said, “Listen, I should’ve told you that the party was here.”

“Really? You think?”

“Okay, I know I should’ve. I’m sorry. I didn’t know a good way to bring it up.”

“Do you live here?”

“No,” Ben said quickly. “No, of course not. God no.” He paused. “I go to Ovise College, it’s a few hours north. I have an apartment off campus.”

“But this is—”

“Yes,” he answered, not needing Rey to finish the question. Ben’s posture deflated a bit. “This is my parents’ house.”

When he said this, an alarming, free-fall sensation hit Rey, as though she’d just missed a step descending a staircase. Rey’s eyes began to water. “So… so, the other night, you… you really were just…”

“Sneaking in to get some old clothes. I knew my parents weren’t going to be home. I… saw you, and—and I didn’t understand what was going on at first, and I didn’t know what to do.”

“Oh.” A single syllable was all Rey felt capable of producing. Her heart was still racing. She took a deep breath, thinking over all she’d learned in the past few minutes.

“I should’ve said something on the way here. I’m sorry.”

She half laughed at the look of genuine concern on his face. “Ben, I should be the one apologizing. I… I robbed you.”

Ben shrugged, as though Rey had said something as innocuous as a remark about the weather. “That’s not really my problem. I don’t care about my parents.”

She wanted to ask what his issue with his family was, why he hadn’t called the police, and why they were even here. She also wanted to run down the driveway and through the open gate, not stopping until she was home, locked safely inside her bedroom. Rey took another breath. At least her pulse had begun to settle. “So. I’m your girlfriend.” Then Rey amended, perhaps unnecessarily, “For the day.”

Ben nodded once.

“Is there anything I should know before we head inside?” Rey pressed. “About you? Or about… us?” Saying us was weird. Rey had never been someone’s girlfriend before, real or fake.

Ben shrugged again. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.” He suddenly straightened up. “We can avoid questions, we won’t be here long. Two hours. Maybe one.”

“All right.” Rey nodded and forced a small smile. How bad could a party be? “Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

If Rey hadn’t been informed why this party was happening, a good assumption would’ve been that it was a coming-home celebration for Ben. It took the pair of them twenty minutes to exit the foyer, and another ten to get through the hallway connecting the entryway to the kitchen. Everyone who spotted Ben wanted to speak with him, and seemed delighted to meet Rey as well. His bringing a date, a girlfriend no less, was a special occurrence, or at least that’s what everyone kept assuring Rey with conspiratorial smiles, to Ben’s visible embarrassment. 

By now, her nerves had settled, and Rey discovered that pretending with Ben was oddly enjoyable. He’d helped her, and she was more than happy to repay him. She enthusiastically repeated the same things over and over again. I’m Ben’s girlfriend, Rey, and I’m so happy to be here, and It’s really great to meet you too. There wasn’t much outside of general small talk until Ben caught a lull in the conversation and jumped on it, quickly excusing them and placing a hand on Rey’s back to usher her deeper into his home. There was a small cutout on the back of her dress, and faint tingles spread where his skin touched hers.

Since she had permission to be here this time, Rey observed her surroundings. In the light of day, and without the threat of lawbreaking, the house’s interior was much less frightening and even more beautiful. Everything looked meticulously clean and expensive. 

They finally made it to the significantly less populated kitchen. Ben’s hand tensed. He cleared his throat before saying, “Rey, this is my father, Han.”

She’d been too busy looking around and trying to ignore how Ben’s fingers felt pressed to her skin that Rey hadn’t noticed the man they’d been approaching. At once, she perked up, smiling.

Before she could speak, Han laughed. “Father,” he echoed. “Christ, kid, you sound like your mom. Always so formal.”

Quickly, Rey interjected, “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Real great to meet you too, Rey,” Han said with a large, warm grin directed at her. She noted it made him look more like Ben. That smile faded when Han’s gaze shifted to his son. “Let’s go out back and find your mom. She was upset you’ve been gone all morning.”

“I had to get breakfast,” Ben mumbled, “and pick up Rey.”

“Well, I hope you didn’t eat too much. We’ve got plenty of food and a long night ahead of us.” With a brief smile to Rey, Han went off towards the backyard.

“We can only stay for a couple of hours,” Ben said to his father’s back. His fingers were still stiff as he guided Rey to follow Han. “We’re meeting friends later.”

“Have them come hang out here instead,” Han said over his shoulder. “Your mom will love it, and Luke won’t mind. Then you two won’t have to leave.”

Ben’s jaw was tight as he held the back door open for Rey. When he stepped outside after her, Rey reached for Ben’s wrist. She did so to get his attention, to pull his gaze away from his father, but Ben evidently misinterpreted her gesture. He laced his fingers through hers and squeezed.

Oh. This threw her off for a moment, but Rey couldn’t bring herself to shake off his touch. Although it was unfamiliar, it didn’t feel bad. Under her breath, she said, “I can stay as late as you need me to. Really.”

Ben nodded. He seemed tense, so far removed from the guy who had teased her in Poe’s office yesterday. Ben currently looked as though he’d never learned how to smile, and wouldn’t be able to even with detailed instruction.

The tables, chairs, and serving booths decorating the lawn didn’t make the backyard seem any less massive. Together, she and Ben weaved through the tables, following Han towards a small cluster of people who were standing and drinking nearer to the fence, on the edge of the festivities. In the group, Rey recognized Lando, and there was a woman with them, one woman and… oh. This must be Ben’s mom. 

Until now, Rey hadn’t felt weird about pretending to be Ben’s girlfriend. But out of nowhere, the feeling that she was doing something very wrong came over her. And recognizing the necklace around his mother’s neck didn’t help how Rey’s insides twisted. Two nights ago, Rey had been violating these people’s privacy, searching through their closet so she could take from them. Twinges of shame sparked inside her. What the fuck had she been thinking? What was wrong with her?

Once they were close enough to the group, Ben said, “Hi, Mother.”

The woman turned and beamed at Ben, suddenly looking ten years younger.

Rey dropped Ben’s hand a second before his mother moved forward to wrap her arms around him. She squeezed him while Ben raised his arms to weakly return the hug.

“You left before we even got up,” his mom said when she released him. “I thought we would have breakfast together.”

“I had stuff to do,” he mumbled. Ben seemed less tense, but more awkward, while talking to her than when talking to his father. “And… and Mother, this is Rey.”

Rey made to stick out her hand, but before she could, Ben’s mom had pulled her into a hug. It wasn’t often that Rey was embraced this way, and the contact was appreciated, even as more guilt prickled at her. 

“I’ve heard a lot about you,” his mother said as she stepped back from Rey. “I’m Leia, Ben’s mother.”

Rey couldn’t imagine what on earth Ben had told his family about her. Surely not that she was evil, crazy, or a felon in the making? 

Rey plastered a smile onto her face. “It’s so great to meet you too. And happy birthday!” Her voice sounded far too eager to her ears, so Rey toned down the enthusiasm as she added, “Ben’s told me so much about you all as well. I’m so glad I get to be here.” Again, and without having to worry about leaving in handcuffs this time.

Leia was, evidently, thrilled that Ben was there. Rey’s presence was an afterthought, which Rey figured was fair, even if Leia had no idea that her son’s wonderful new relationship wasn’t real. After meeting Ben’s uncle and wishing him a happy birthday, Rey was dragged by Ben, who was dragged by Leia, all over their backyard.

Leia introduced them to a wide, assorted variety of people. Rey was surprised there were so many guests from diverse backgrounds with unique names, jobs, and lives. She’d assumed that the guests here would all be highbrow, rich, or political-esque, but that was only a tiny portion of the people she met. Idryssa Barruck, an eccentrically dressed woman who ran the only not-for-profit theater in the city, urged Rey and Ben to attend a musical premiering next month. Corl Kott, a mechanic, and Toryn Faur, a local politician with a title so long that Rey forgot it at once. She met an antiques dealer showing off a ring that Rey assumed cost thirty times more than everything she’d ever owned combined, and so many pilots that Rey wondered if Ben’s family purposely sought the profession out to be friends with.

It was an hour and a half into the party, and Rey was beginning to understand why Ben hadn’t exactly been excited to come. Her cheeks ached from having to smile, and she’d said Nice to meet you so much that the phrase sounded foreign and distorted. At times, Rey sensed Ben’s discomfort and tried to jump in and talk for him when she didn’t think it would come off as rude. But her social energy was quickly draining, and she felt tired. 

They were standing behind Leia when she got sucked into a conversation with other members of the state senate, none of whom Rey would have ever assumed were politicians from how they looked or spoke. Ben leaned closer to Rey and, in a whisper, said the best, most beautiful thing she’d heard all day: “You want to take a break from this?”

Even at a low volume, his words reverberated through her. Rey’s shoulders relaxed. 

“Yes, please,” she whispered back.

“Hungry?”

“Very.”

Ben smiled. It showed fewer teeth than his many over the last hour and a half, but his eyes crinkled this time. “Go inside,” he said. “And upstairs, no one else’ll be up there. Wait for me at the top of the steps?”

She nodded and complied. 

Rey sat and waited at the top of the steps, which she thought made her look strange, but Ben was correct—the upstairs level was deserted. She hugged her knees and sighed. With every passing minute, she felt slightly calmer. It was nice to be away from the people and out of the humidity.

When Ben came up the stairs, he was juggling two plates in one hand, a paper cup in the other, and a second cup held by the rim between his teeth. He grunted when they made eye contact. Rey laughed and scrambled up to assist him.

As Ben sat down, he said, “I didn’t know what you’d want to drink. I got a white and a red wine, but I slobbered all over the red, so I guess I’ll keep that one.”

“Thanks.” Rey hesitated before she took a sip. “Um—do you think your parents would be mad, though? Because I’m not twenty-one?”

Ben’s face scrunched up. With a flat tone, he said, “In that case, you definitely shouldn’t drink it. I know you’d hate to commit a crime in their house.”

Rey scowled as her cheeks heated. The corners of Ben’s mouth twitched.

“Shut up,” she mumbled before gulping down half the wine. 

“Only joking.” Ben stretched out his legs and sighed. “So. What do you think?”

“Of the wine? Or the food?”

“All of it,” he said, gesturing grandly before letting his hands fall.

“It’s a nice party. Really nice.”

“Well, my mother only throws a thousand parties a year, so she has to go all out.”

“Lots of people to talk with.”

“This isn’t even as packed as it gets.”

As if she had any knowledge of past party sizes, Rey nodded. After a pause, she asked, “Are they really so bad? Your parents?”

“Yes.”

“They seemed nice.”

Ben snorted. “They do seem nice, don’t they? But try spending twenty-two years as their son.”

Rey didn’t know how to respond to this, and the rest of their meal was silent. Once they’d both finished eating, Ben asked, “You want to head out?”

“To the backyard?”

“No, out out. Leave. No one will notice in time to stop us.” Ben sighed. “I wasn’t planning to stay for more than a few minutes when I came back the other night. I was just here to pack some things. In a couple of days, I’m going to Italy for a few weeks, and I figured I should wear nicer clothes than what I have at school.”

Rey perked up at this. An ember of jealousy smoldered within her as she imagined what it would be like to be able to go on trips like that. She asked, “Do you travel a lot?”

“Not really. Well, during breaks I try to. Anything for an excuse to not be here.” Ben shot her a smirk, but Rey had the impression that he wasn’t joking. “Anyways, we’ve already been here long enough. So I’m good with leaving now.”

“Isn’t that kind of rude? I mean, to leave without saying goodbye to them?”

Ben’s face made it seem like he was getting irritated and was using a significant amount of energy to hide this. “Does it matter?”

“Don’t you have to come back here later anyways? Where are you going to sleep?”

“I’m going home after I drop you off.” When Rey gave him a questioning look, Ben clarified, “Back to my apartment at school.”

“You really want them to think you have a girlfriend so rude that she can’t even say goodbye after meeting them for the first time?”

“Not really pressed about what they think.”

“Let’s go sit outside for a little while longer,” Rey suggested. “We can leave soon.”

Ben’s upper lip twitched, but after a moment, his expression softened. “For a little while,” he conceded.

A little while lengthened to one hour, and stretched into a second. Their one glass of wine each turned into two for Rey, while Ben finished three beers that his father supplied. Now that the sun had gone down, the party’s numbers dwindled. The backyard was lit with warm, glowy lights. Rey and Ben were sitting at a table with Han, Lando, and a few others whose names had slipped out of her memory.

She and Ben mostly listened quietly to the conversations around them, except whenever Han pulled them in to settle a debate. Rey interjected a hopefully pleasing “Yes, of course,” while Ben merely grunted.

To remind herself not to reach for more wine, Rey clasped her hands together on top of the table. She wasn’t a big drinker to begin with, and also didn’t think it would be good for Ben if his girlfriend made a drunken fool of herself at a family event. Rey wasn’t exactly sure when, but at some point after the sun set, Ben’s hand had moved right next to hers. The edge of his pinky absentmindedly stroked the side of hers. The touch was disarming at first, then turned comforting. And nice, really, really nice. Rey felt warm, and not from the humidity or the alcohol. She wondered if Ben felt the same. Then she felt weird for wondering this because he was probably tipsy and stressed, and completely unaware that their hands were touching at all.

There was a brief lull in the older adults’ conversations, and out of nowhere, Han shifted to face Rey. He said, “I’m really glad you could join us tonight, Rey. I’m sure Leia is too, wherever she’s off to now. It’s not often we get to meet any of the special people in Ben’s life.”

Rey wondered how special Han would think she was if he’d seen her shoving his wife’s jewelry into her backpack. 

Rey cleared her throat and smiled. “I’m so happy to be here. Ben’s always told me about your parties, and I’m so grateful he invited me to this one.”

“Tell me about you. What are you going to school for?”

Even though she wanted to improve her life, she didn’t feel passionate enough about anything to lie and tell Han she was already studying it. So Rey opted for honesty and said, “I actually haven’t started college yet. I wanted to take some time off after high school to save up.” She hoped Han wouldn’t ask her how she was making money, but also inwardly felt amused at the thought of Ben making a joke about this that his father wouldn’t understand.

“Your family must be thrilled! Ben here sprinted out the door the second he graduated, and we’ve barely seen him since.”

Han laughed. Ben’s pinky dropped. Rey immediately missed the contact, so much so that she almost moved her hand closer to his before catching herself.

Han continued, “Are you planning to go up to Ovise too? Such a beautiful campus.”

“I might,” Rey said, hoping this answer was enough to appease him. “But it’s more likely I’ll just go to the nearest community college. At least for a couple of years, until I figure out what exactly I want to do.”

His voice slightly rising in pitch, Han said, “Oh,” before pausing. He added, “There’s nothing wrong with going to a community college.” He emphasized his position on this with a too-nonchalant shake of his head.

Rey felt judged and a little embarrassed, and even guiltier for having the audacity to be hurt by someone she’d attempted to rob two nights ago. Her cheeks flushed. But before Rey could play this off, Ben interjected, in a flat sort of tone, “She knows there’s nothing wrong with it.”

Rey tensed, bracing herself for more abrasion between Ben and his father, but mercifully, the topic transitioned from Rey’s college to just college, and then Han and Lando were reminiscing about the good old days, and Rey and Ben faded into the background. 

His finger began to brush hers again. Rey watched it move, the feather-light touch on her skin calming her, even as it sent little shivers to her spine.

With her eyes fixed on Ben’s hand, she wasn’t paying enough attention to her surroundings, and Leia’s sudden appearance on the other side of Ben made Rey flinch. He moved his hand away from Rey’s when he turned to face his mother, who had placed her hand on his shoulder. 

Upon looking around, Rey realized that the occupants of their table were the only people remaining. Even Ben’s uncle had already left his own half-party.

“I’d like us all to have a glass of champagne before the night is truly over,” Leia said to Ben. She rubbed his shoulder. “Come grab it with me, please, sweetheart? I’ll need help carrying the glasses.”

Rey watched Ben tense. What about this brief request could’ve upset him?

“I’m sitting with Rey,” Ben said shortly.

Leia’s smile dipped, and she appeared as though she was about to push back. And Rey remembered that this was why she was here. Well, maybe not exactly, but she could run interference so Ben didn’t have to be all alone with any of them.

Trying to sound cheery enough to placate Leia, Rey offered, “I’ll help.”

It worked—Leia’s smile grew. Rey stood, and Ben shot her a what-are-you-doing-she-doesn’t-need-help-you-can-sit-back-down kind of look, to which Rey merely said, “I’ll be right back.”

She followed Leia through the backyard, to the back door, and into the kitchen. 

As she pulled champagne flutes from a cabinet, Leia said, “I figured a toast with real glasses, not the disposable ones, would be nicer.” 

“Oh, absolutely, of course.” Rey didn’t see what the difference or the need for distinction was, but then again, she was a poor nineteen-year-old who likely couldn’t afford even one of the glasses.

Once Leia retrieved the flutes, she turned to face Rey. As Leia moved, so did the necklace on her neck, and guilt began to creep up Rey’s spine. She regretted not sneaking out and leaving with Ben when he’d suggested it hours ago.

A tight smile graced Leia’s face. She made no indication of looking for the bottle of champagne. “So,” began Leia, “how long have you and my son been together?” Her tone was warm, but possibly a bit concerned—or was that the alcohol and guilt muddying Rey’s perception?

This was why she had wanted to go over things with Ben beforehand. What if Han were asking Ben the same thing outside right now? What if Ben had already been asked this by his mom, and Leia was, for some reason, comparing their stories? The lying would really only reflect poorly on Ben—Rey knew she’d never see him or his family again—but she didn’t want to mess anything up for him. And she didn’t want to linger on why she was so disappointed that this was the only day she would share with Ben. 

“Not… not for too long,” Rey said. 

Leia didn’t respond, so Rey continued, hoping the answer was still vague enough, “Just a few months. Really not so long.”

“That’s wonderful. How did you two meet?”

“Oh.” Rey suddenly felt even more nervous, as if there were a thousand people in this room and they’d all turned in unison to stare at her. “It was really random. We… ran into each other, kind of, and just started talking.” Rey wasn’t sure if this would be enough to satisfy Leia, so she added, “Ben’s a really great guy. I like him a lot.” This part, at least, was honest.

Leia’s grin widened. Rey exhaled, feeling as though she had passed some test.

Leia said, “I’m so happy to hear that.” She moved to the other side of the kitchen and opened the fridge, finally retrieving the champagne bottle. “Ben seems so much more relaxed with you. I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen him like this. Even as a child, he was always wound so tightly.”

Rey didn’t know what the best response to this would be, but Leia apparently didn’t require one. The two of them split up the champagne flutes and carried them outside.

Ben smiled at Rey when she returned. She took a seat, her thigh brushing against the edge of his pants as she did so. Their chairs seemed closer together than they’d been when she left, maybe too close, but Rey couldn’t rectify this because Ben put his arm over the back of her chair immediately after she sat.

Lando filled everyone’s glasses too full, and Han gave a brief toast to his wife and Ben’s now-missing uncle. The bubbly liquid made Rey’s nose itch, and Ben finished the drink for her. They listened to more talking, to more old stories from back in the day, until eventually, the only people left at the table were Rey, Ben, and his parents.

“We should get going,” Ben started, “we have to—” but Han interrupted to say, “You two should stay here tonight.” 

“I have to drive back to school,” Ben said.

Han waved a hand, dismissing this. “Christ, kid, what time even is it? You can’t do all that driving this late. And with that many drinks in you?”

Ben’s frustration was palpable as he pushed back against his father. But it didn’t matter—ten minutes later, Rey found herself stepping into Ben’s bedroom.

Chapter Text

Once the bedroom door closed behind them, Ben said, “I’m so sorry.”

When Rey turned to face him, his cheeks were flushed. She registered the guilt and caution in his expression, like Ben genuinely felt awful about this and was also bracing himself for her anger. But the idea of her sleeping here wasn’t as miserable to Rey as it appeared to be to Ben. Any night spent outside of her little bedroom in Unkar’s little house felt like a vacation. 

And lengthening the time she would spend with Ben wasn’t unwelcome, either. He had given her an out earlier, and Rey would’ve taken it if she’d wanted to. “It’s okay,” she said. 

“No, I know it’s not. I’m sorry, I should’ve paid attention to how late it had gotten and stopped drinking. I didn’t think they’d want us both to stay here.”

“It’s no problem.” Ben gave her a look, and Rey added, “It’s one night, Ben, it’ll be fine, really. Just let me borrow a shirt and some shorts to sleep in.”

Ben nodded and, without another apology, gathered the clothes for her. Rey took them and changed in his bathroom. 

Ben changed into sleeping clothes in the bathroom as well, and in the short time that he was away, Rey sat on the edge of his bed and reflected on the day’s events. She had the feeling that she was holding the day secretly inside herself, letting it grow and take shape. When she reflected on it in the future, she would find out what it looked like. For some odd, unknown reason, Rey hoped that she would remember as much as possible. 

When Ben exited the bathroom, he said, “I’ll sleep on the floor.”

His bed was so much bigger than her twin at home that Rey didn’t think she would’ve minded sharing with him for one night. She wondered if he would think she was weird for suggesting this, and decided against doing so. “Right,” said Rey. “Sure.”

Physically, she felt tired, but mentally, her mind was whirring. She crawled underneath his bedspread. The mattress was soft, and Rey relaxed, engulfed in the Ben-scented sheets. 

The room felt very quiet, even more so once Ben turned off the lights. There were cracks of light coming through the blinds, and a soft white glow emitted from the alarm clock. Rey kept her eyes open, letting them adjust to the low light. They were both silent for long enough that Rey assumed he’d fallen asleep. But then, from where he lay on the floor, Ben said, “I am sorry about this.”

He was soft on breaking and entering, but torn up over one unplanned sleepover. Rey smiled to herself. “It’s alright.”

“We should’ve left when I first said.”

“I’m surprised you’re not saying we shouldn’t have come at all.”

He snorted. Rey waited for more of a response, hoped for one, but Ben didn’t speak again. Rey hesitated before rephrasing the question she’d asked him earlier on the stairs. “Are your parents really so bad?”

“Yes.” Ben paused. “No. Maybe, I don’t know.”

“Thanks. You just gave me every possible answer to that question.”

Another snort. “I was being honest.”

Rey hoped she wasn’t overstepping when she said, “If you want to talk about them, I’ll listen.”

Ben hummed and didn’t speak right away. “I don’t know what to talk about. I mean, they’re divorced, but they have been for a while. I was really young when they did it. I don’t remember a time when they weren’t.”

She inched to the edge of the bed and squinted down at him. Carefully, Rey said, “I wouldn’t have guessed that. They get along really well. And your dad seems at home here.”

“He should. He lives here, kind of. They’re… together, and they’re not. It’s always been weird. They love each other, I think, but they’re too different. It made living here shit. My father would fuck around, doing whatever, then randomly leave for months. Never announced that he was leaving, so I didn’t know he was gone gone until I realized I hadn’t seen him in days. He would get in his plane and take off.” Ben sighed. “And my mother couldn’t parent alone while working as much as she did, so she shipped me to boarding school twice. Then I think she would feel guilty, so she’d have me transferred to a school here and would try to be present, but then she’d get overwhelmed again. It felt like every conversation we had began with her apologizing for not being around. And all she had time for was talking about surface-level stuff, she was too busy or tired for anything else. But never too busy or tired for her friends, or coworkers, or anyone else. Just for me.”

When Ben paused to take a breath, Rey had to tell herself that it would be weird to climb down and hug him. 

He continued, “And the three times a year we’d all be in the same room? Worst days of my life. It would be fine, then all of a sudden, my parents are arguing. If they didn’t put me in the middle of it, then it was about me. My father wanted me to be more relaxed and spend less time on schoolwork. Not that he was around enough to know how I spent my time. But when you’re like him and drop out of high school and get a rich wife instead of a job, it’s easy to say there are always more important things than doing well in school. He likes to act uppity when it’s convenient for him, but the second someone else does, he finds that disgusting. My mother couldn’t stand it whenever he tried to impress his free-spiritedness onto me. All that matters to her is success and a good reputation. I mean, she can make her eyes sparkle if there are cameras or enough potential voters around. I have no idea why they were surprised when I went to college far away. I hate them both.” 

A long pause, during which Rey tried to process the information she’d heard. Then Ben amended, “I don’t hate them. I don’t. I shouldn’t say that. They’re just exhausting. But I never feel like myself here and that makes it really difficult to care about anything.” He sighed. “I usually don’t even come home in the summer. Sometimes, I will for winter break, or I’ll just do a few days for Christmas, but that’s it. I was only supposed to be back this week for a few minutes.”

Rey grimaced. “I’m sorry I ruined your in-and-out plan.”

“It’s alright. I wouldn’t want to chase you out of a place you had no right to be in.” When Rey didn’t respond to this, Ben added, “I’m only kidding.” 

“I know. It’s okay.”

“Sorry for ranting.” 

“It’s okay. I’m sorry you had to deal with all that.” More silence, then Rey softly spoke again. “Can I ask you another question?”

“Hm?”

“Where did the earrings come from?”

Ben’s answer came several moments later. “I don’t know. Some store at the mall. My… my mother isn’t really a big jewelry person. Everything she has is either an heirloom from my grandmother, or a gift. She would’ve been heartbroken if anything went missing.” Rey pressed a hand over her mouth as she listened. Ben went on, “I couldn’t let that happen. I had to put it back. She definitely would’ve called the police, you were right about that.”

Confusion swirled inside Rey. She’d expected a much different explanation. “You put the jewelry back and went to the mall?”

“Of course not,” said Ben. “No, it was already closed. Once you left, I put everything back, packed my clothes, and walked into my parents right as they came home from some event. I talked with them, and then I went to bed and went to the mall when it opened.”

“Sorry.” Rey took a breath as she attempted to organize her thoughts. “Sorry. I really don’t understand. You… you see your parents, but instead of telling them they need to call the police, you tell them you’re in town to visit your girlfriend that you’ve never mentioned before, and then you go to the mall and buy jewelry to replace what she tried to steal from you?”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say that gives the story justice, but I guess it could work as a bare minimum summary.”

He couldn’t be serious. Rey almost wanted to laugh. Her mouth opened and closed several times before she settled on what to say. “You’re crazy.”

“You’re crazy if you think I’m crazy for not letting you rob my mother.”

“I think you’re crazy for buying more jewelry instead of calling the police.”

“If I called the police after you left, it would’ve become a thing, and I would’ve been stuck here all night. Maybe longer. I shouldn’t have even stayed for the party. I should’ve walked right past my parents and driven back to school. All I wanted was a few pairs of pants for my trip. I could’ve been in and out in three minutes. Three literal minutes.”

“Why did you even bother trying to find me?”

“I don’t know.” Ben sighed, and when he spoke again, he sounded exhausted. “I didn’t know if you would come back, and you seemed really hung up on proving you could do it or whatever, and I thought it was the only way I’d be able to see you again. And I don’t know. I thought you were…” He paused, then hurried on. “And if I’d shown up empty-handed, you wouldn’t be so amenable to coming with me to the party. So I woke up and drove to the mall and went shopping and tried to find a bar named Hugs.” 

He sounded so earnest. Rey bit her lip. She said, “I’m sure there are cheaper and easier ways to get a girl to date you for one day.”

Ben hummed. “Maybe. I guess you should’ve referred me to someone else instead of agreeing.”

A silence, in which Rey tried to comprehend all of this. Then she said, “I’m not proud of what I do. Or did.”

“I know. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. I know it’s wrong.”

Ben snorted a laugh. “You need to think about wrong before you break into someone’s house, not after.”

Vague stabs of guilt and shame stung in her belly. Rey’s cheeks heated and she shifted back so she wasn’t looking over the edge of his bed anymore. She curled up on her side, still facing Ben’s direction. 

She raised her voice so it would carry further. “It’s not…” Rey trailed off, trying to choose her words perfectly. “It’s not fun for me. I know it’s wrong. And I know knowing it’s wrong doesn’t make it better. I’ve just been in foster care my whole life, and no one ever had any money. When I was younger, I… I obviously didn’t know it was something to worry about. But when I got older, I realized that everything’s dependent on whether you have it or not. Literally everything, like how hungry you are, and who wants to be your friend. and how you can dress. and what kind of future you’ll have. And I swear I started really small and it just spiraled.” Rey knew she was rambling now, but something about the honesty was freeing. And she felt like it would be good to explain to Ben. Maybe he would think slightly less badly of her after. “I know it’s so bad regardless, and this isn’t the kind of person that I want to be. I’m really not proud of it, and I’m done once I’ve saved enough for a year of school. I know I’m not entitled to people’s stuff because I’m poor and can’t find a job, but—”

Ben quickly rose from the floor, moving to sit on the edge of the bed. He put a hand on Rey’s shoulder. “Hey,” he said in a soothing tone. He stiffly rubbed her shoulder like he was half afraid of somehow hurting her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. I don’t think you’re a bad person.”

Even as shame bubbled inside, Rey felt as though something physically between her and Ben thickened, as if the air in the bedroom was unable to bear its own weight. Rey wasn’t very used to being comforted when she was upset, and embarrassingly, Ben’s touch brought a thin layer of tears to her eyes. She wished it didn’t affect her so much.

“You should definitely think that I’m a bad person. I mean, I am one, I know this is wrong. But if—if it helps, even a little, this was my first time stealing from someone, instead of a store.” The tears in her eyes thickened, rolling down Rey’s cheeks as her voice cracked. “And I know that’s bad to do too, I’m not trying to make excuses, I’m just saying. But I’m done with this, really, I’m going to move and start school and have a completely different life.”

Ben had continued to caress her shoulder as she spoke, the touch becoming more familiar as Rey went on. Once he was sure she was finished, Ben quietly said, “Please don’t get upset. I… I barely know you, I don’t know your life, and I’m not judging you. Besides, we’re even, aren’t we? I helped you, and you really, really helped me today.”

Rey sat up, pushing the blanket off her. She took a deep breath and wiped her face. Out of nowhere, Ben scooted closer and wrapped his arms around her. Rey hadn’t anticipated this but felt her body relax at his touch. She untangled her arms from between their bodies, then hugged Ben back. Even though they’d never done so before, his hug felt familiar. 

When Rey eventually leaned back, ending the hug, Ben slid away from her. 

Several quiet moments passed, the pair of them observing each other in the dim light, before Rey admitted, “I kind of had a good time today.”

“You don’t have to lie.”

She laughed. “No, I mean it. I did have a good time. Everyone was so entertaining and welcoming. Your parents know so many different people. It was a fun day.”

Ben smiled. It was nearly impossible to notice, barely reaching the corner of his lips and not going one millimeter further. “Hm. Maybe I’ll hit the mall on my way back here in December. That way you can help me over winter break, too.”

It was difficult to tell in the dark and on a bed much larger than hers, but Rey thought Ben might have shifted closer to her again. She inched her leg out to test the space between them, and her foot accidentally brushed his thigh. 

“My holiday rate should probably be higher.”

Ben definitely moved then, inching forward so his thigh was pressed against her foot. He asked, “Is that so?”

His hand gently wrapped around her ankle, bringing her foot up to rest on his leg. His thumb delicately swiped her ankle. Rey had to consciously suppress the shiver threatening to overtake her.

“Yep.” Her voice sounded as breathless as she felt. “But…” Ben’s thumb brushed against the sole of her foot, and it took Rey a moment to center her thoughts back from this distraction. “But I won’t rob your family before fake date number two. That has to be a plus, at least.”

“It is. I appreciate that.” 

His fingers felt warm around her ankle. Rey had the urge to lean forward and kiss him. It wouldn’t be her first kiss, but it might be the first time she liked someone enough to want to initiate one. 

She grazed the top of her foot against his thigh as Ben said, “You’re definitely worth a higher rate. You’re the best fake girlfriend I’ve ever had.”

“How many have you had? Because if I’m the only one, then that also makes me the worst.” 

Ben sighed at this, but she could hear the smile in it. Instead of waiting for his answer, Rey added, “Or I could come as a favor. No… anything required.” She would happily repeat today over and over again if needed.

Ben hummed. Time passed. He still stroked her ankle, but his hand moved a bit higher, his thumb lightly caressing her calf. In a whisper, Ben asked, “Are you tired?”

Matching his tone, Rey said, “Not really.”

“Come here, then?” 

The instant Ben released her leg, Rey climbed onto his lap and kissed him. Or maybe she climbed onto his lap and he kissed her. It didn’t matter to Rey. She circled her arms snugly around his neck, while his hands moved to her hips, pulling her flush against his chest. 

Her fingers knotted in the collar of his shirt. Ben groaned against her mouth, and lust began to rise in Rey. At the same time, so did insecurity. They were here, making out on his bed, in the dark—would Ben want to fuck, too? Rey wasn’t a virgin, but that didn’t mean she was confident enough in her skills not to be nervous before any sexual encounter. And she had to assume Ben had more experience than she did—he was in college and slightly older than her and tall and attractive. 

Ben’s grip on her hips tightened, and then she was being turned. He didn’t break the kiss as he guided Rey until she was lying down, Ben on top of her. When his lips lifted from hers, Rey barely managed to suppress a protesting whine. 

Ben whispered, “Is this okay?”

At once, Rey said, “Yes.” Desire was beginning to overwhelm her, crawling up and taking over her spine. Ben’s erection had stiffened against her thigh, and she desperately wanted to shift so it pressed against her core instead.

“I meant—”

Quickly, Rey said, “I want to.” She wiggled underneath him then, moving so that his cock did indeed press against her heating core. She regretted ever putting on his shorts. She wanted to feel all of his skin on hers. 

When Ben kissed her again, his hands slid underneath her—his—shirt. He softly brushed up her ribs before gently kneading her breasts. Rey moaned, her fingers absentmindedly stroking his arms as she savored his touch. 

Ben ended the kiss and shifted lower on the bed. He lifted her shirt inch by inch, pressing his lips against each area of skin revealed. She released a breathy whine when Ben gently nipped at her, before licking over the same spot. When he reached the swell of her chest, Rey helped him pull the shirt over her head. She was grateful she’d taken off her bra while changing into his clothes. 

Ben’s large hand was firm on her rib cage, pressing her into the mattress. His mouth hovered over her breast as he asked, “You’re sure this is alright?”

His warm breath tickled her nipple. Rey was growing more and more lightheaded every second. The flutters vibrating in her belly and around her core were distracting. It took more effort than it should have for Rey to form an answer. “Very alright.”

He nuzzled his nose between her breasts before pulling a nipple into his mouth. No, not just her nipple—Ben fit as much of her breast as he could, suckling, then released and moved to the other. He thumbed at her free nipple while he sucked on the other, making Rey quiver underneath him as arousal thundered through her. Once he had gotten his fill of her breasts, Ben kissed down her rib cage, over her stomach, and then reached her core. Removing the shorts she wore was a team effort, before Ben threw them somewhere on the floor. 

When he settled between her legs, Rey anticipated a half-hearted thirty seconds of licking before he pinned her down to fuck her. 

Rey didn’t think he could be so close to her cunt and not smell or notice her arousal. But Ben ignored her core entirely, at least at first. He was rough yet gentle when he pushed her legs wider apart, before pressing his lips to her inner thigh. She felt a bit of coarse, end-of-the-day scruff scrape against her skin as Ben laved her thighs with open-mouthed kisses and licks, sporadically teething her flesh too.

Rey had to inwardly focus to push away hazy clouds of desire before she could speak. “Ben?”

He didn’t look up or pause his ministrations. “Hm?”

“Do… do you want to have sex?”

He groaned, then nipped at her thigh, making Rey gasp slightly too loudly.

“I want you to be quiet, just for a little while,” he said. “So they won’t hear us.” 

“You don’t want to have sex?”

“I do. So badly,” Ben said, before biting her thigh, covering the area with a lick and a kiss immediately after. Rey couldn’t help the whine this pulled from her.

“We can now. Have sex, I mean.”

“In a minute.” He abandoned her thighs and curled his fingers underneath the waistband of her underwear. He pulled them down her legs, and then it seemed Ben was done with her thighs. He finally moved his mouth to her core. 

The flat of his tongue licked up the entire length of her slit, collecting a good amount of the arousal that had leaked. The first flick over her clit made Rey’s legs jerk. The second made her body tense so much that her toes cracked. She squirmed underneath him as he lavished her clit with attention. Her movements bothered him, apparently, because one of Ben’s hands moved to press down on the bottom of Rey’s stomach, limiting her motion. 

Rey’s assumption of thirty seconds was as incorrect as his declaration of a minute. Ben lapped at her cunt as if he didn’t want to be anywhere else in the world. 

Her head lolled against his pillow. Rey clutched at Ben’s hair as his tongue played between her folds, circling her clit and slipping into her entrance. Ben groaned as he worked at her, Rey answering his noises with her own moans and whimpers. Pleasure reverberated through her entire body, spreading from her clit to her gut, her spine, and even the tips of her fingers. 

Arousal coiled so tightly within Rey that she felt as though her body would snap. Her hand spasmed in his hair when Ben drew her clit into his mouth and began to suck. She sensed her orgasm nearing, and then Ben’s free hand found its way to her pussy.

His middle finger slipped inside, meeting no resistance due to how soaked she was. When it curled as he thrusted it into her, Rey fell apart, quivering and whining, probably a little too loud. Ben didn’t let up while she came, but continued firmly stroking the front wall of her cunt and licking at her clit. 

Rey gasped, desperately trying to catch her breath or at least collect her thoughts. Both of these were, however, extremely difficult to do when Ben didn’t seem willing to ease off her pussy. 

If she hadn’t felt as though her grip in his hair anchored her to the world, Rey would’ve pushed him off her so she could slide down the bed and guide his cock inside her. She didn’t fight the electric, borderline painful shocks of overstimulation his tongue caused. When her second orgasm came, a strangled definitely too loud whimper ripped from Rey.

Ben lifted his head from her arousal-smeared cunt. “Were you this loud when you broke in here?”

Unable to form words, Rey merely flicked at his scalp in retaliation. Ben snorted a laugh before pulling his fingers from her cunt and moving up the bed. 

“You taste really fucking good,” said Ben before covering her mouth with his. He kissed her thoroughly, giving Rey a very odd taste, a mix of minty toothpaste, beer, and pussy. She didn’t hate it.

As they kissed, Rey’s fingers traced down Ben’s body towards his boxers. She tried to gather the confidence needed to be sexy and shoved her hand inside to grasp his erection. Ben broke the kiss to curse. He shifted to press his face into the pillow, which stifled the moan he made as he thrusted into her hand. 

Rey felt comfortable now, marginally less nervous. His erection was warm and firm, and there was some precome leaking from his tip—all signs pointing to Ben being turned on and close. Hopefully turned on and close enough that he wouldn’t be able to sniff out her smaller amount of experience.

Quietly, Rey propositioned, “On your back?”

“Fuck. Yes.” Ben rushed to comply, sloppily pushing down his underwear to free his erection as he went. He collapsed into a lying position as Rey rose.

His cock was just big enough for her to be worried about discomfort, and Rey took a deep breath before swinging her leg over his hips. The first time she lowered herself onto his erection, it was at a slightly incorrect angle, just wrong enough to be uncomfortable even with how wet her cunt was. Rey gripped the base of his cock as she lifted herself and tried again. On her second attempt, she sank until her thighs met his hips. Ben grunted, the noise deep and guttural.

They both panted while Rey stilled to adjust to the stretch of him. His cock was much, much thicker than his finger had been, but the hurt was easing quickly.

As if speaking to himself, Ben said under his breath, “You’re so hot. Fuck, I wish I was going to last.” The desperation in Ben’s tone heightened Rey’s arousal, heightened the whole experience for her, and gave her a much-appreciated confidence boost.

She swallowed before saying, “It’s okay if you don’t.”

Ben nodded sharply. In a weaker tone, he said, “Please move, Rey. Please. I want to feel you so bad.”

Her cunt gripped his length as she moved, rising and lowering. Mercifully, it didn’t take very long to find a comfortable, pleasurable rhythm. Ben’s hands gripped her hips, helping to keep Rey steady and upright while she fucked him. It was evident he was enjoying this—Ben groaned underneath her, sometimes thrusting up to meet her hips.

Due to his earlier warning, Rey didn’t expect him to last long, but he held out for longer than she anticipated. When he did come, Ben cursed as his body tensed, his hands squeezing firmly enough that Rey wondered if she would perhaps have ten faint bruises tomorrow. She could feel the throb of his cock as it contracted, spilling inside her, his legs trembling as he came. 

A few moments passed in which nothing but their heavy breathing disturbed the otherwise quiet of his bedroom. Then Ben flipped Rey onto her back and thrusted into her again.

Ben had been the one who initiated sex the next morning. Rey had felt tired—they’d hardly slept, instead staying up to talk and kiss and touch—but not even close to too tired to participate. 

She watched Ben’s fingers tap impatiently while she sat next to him at the breakfast table, and all Rey could think about was those fingers holding her waist, pinching her nipples, curling inside her cunt, wiping her own arousal across her tongue.

These insistent memories made it very awkward for Rey to have breakfast with Ben and his parents. 

Polite goodbyes, promises to return, and then Rey was being herded out of the house by Ben, who had on the backpack full of the clothes he’d come home to collect.

The drive was quiet. Rey nervously fidgeted in the passenger seat, dread rising in her as they got closer and closer to her house. The past twenty-four hours had made her feel so close to Ben, and the idea of saying goodbye to him felt wrong. She could already sense that she would be thinking about him a lot, but knew she wouldn’t have any good reason to reach out to him. 

When they reached her house, Ben parked at the end of the driveway. As Rey unbuckled her seatbelt, she opened her mouth to speak, but Ben quickly released his and exited the car. Rey hurried to follow. They stood, facing each other, in front of the car’s hood. 

“Thanks for driving me home,” said Rey.

“Of course. Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for not having me arrested.”

Ben smiled, which made Rey smile too, even though she could feel their ending approaching. 

Tentatively, Ben asked, “Can I kiss you goodbye?”

Instead of answering, Rey stepped forward and melted against him. She rose on her toes as one of Ben’s arms circled her waist. The kiss was sensual and warm, and made Rey want to push Ben onto the car and fuck him in broad daylight, or maybe beg him to at least text her once in a while. 

A pang of sadness snared Rey’s insides when Ben retracted his grip and took a step back. 

“Bye,” said Rey.

“Goodbye. I’ll see you around.”

“Well, you probably won’t. I’m not going to be in Italy or at your school, so.”

Ben gave her one slow nod before saying, “I meant I’d like to see you again when I get back from my trip. If that’s okay with you?”

A wave of happiness hit Rey so suddenly that she had to pause and mentally tell herself not to squeal. “You’re going to visit your parents again this summer?”

Ben hesitated. “Maybe. If that means I’ll get to see you too. Or, you know, I can always just get a hotel room.”

“I’d like to see you again too,” Rey said. She stepped forward to hug Ben again, but backed away after a moment, even though it felt too short. “Send me pictures of your trip?” Rey asked. Then, worried that she was coming off as clingy, she aimed for nonchalance while adding, “If you want to.”

Casually, Ben said, “Yeah. I might. Not sure if I’ll take a lot, since I’ll be by myself.”

“Well, if you take any that you want to share, I’d like to see.” 

She turned around then, intent on heading inside, but Ben quickly added, “I’m predicting that I have a lonely, miserable, absolutely unbearable two-and-a-half weeks ahead of me.”

Rey faced him again. “Really?”

Ben nodded. “Unless you come with me.” His voice only half rose as he finished speaking. Rey didn’t know if he was asking a question or not.

“What?” She pushed out a one-syllable laugh. “No. Are you joking?”

“Of course not. Why would I be joking?”

“Ben.”

“Don’t be mean. What if I need a girlfriend for something?”

“I can’t go to Italy with you, I have to…” Rey tried to think of an excuse, but couldn’t. Ben knew she had no commitments. And what she really wanted to say was yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and can we please leave right now?

Ben jumped in to say, “Oh, yeah. You mentioned you had to…”

Rey scowled and Ben raised his hands as if in surrender. He said, “Okay. Sorry for offering. But if you’re worrying about paying for anything, it would all be on me. No need to… I don’t know, pull off a heist or something to buy a plane ticket.”

She ignored his last sentence. “We met three days ago,” said Rey. “We can’t go on a trip together.”

He seemed disappointed, but not upset. “Okay. I understand. But I’ll at least see you later this summer?”

“It’s just that we’re essentially strangers.”

“I know.”

“It would be weird. To… to travel together.”

“I just wanted to offer. I get it.”

Ben turned around, and excitement flared inside Rey. “Yes,” she blurted. “I’ll go.”