They entered a loud restaurant with red vinyl booths and tables in the middle. On the wall was a signed picture of Ben. "Okay, you've stared at it long enough. Are you thinking of throwing darts?"

"No, I was wondering if anyone would notice if I stole it." She would love to have it in her bedroom so she could greet him every morning.

He laughed in a way he rarely did. "You are unbelievable. I can't figure you out."

"Once a fan, always a fan."

A middle-aged man with a big belly and a round, red face walked over to them. "Look what the cat's brought in. We thought you were too good for burgers. It's been too long, Lynch."

"I know Johnny. I wish I could say I've been busy." He held up his cast.

"You're gonna be fine though, aren't you? I had women crying when you went down."

It was then that Sloane noticed the televisions all around the room and the sports memorabilia everywhere. A lot of it was for North Hills Academy. Scanning the walls, she eyed some pictures of teenage Ben and Jett. There were a lot of Mr. Lynch and other boys.

"Yeah, once the cast is off, I'll be busy with rehab."

"I thought you'd be gone to Florida by now."

"Nope, the doctor is here. How's your supply holding up?"

"Fine. We've got plenty."

"Good cause I'm a little out of commission. So do you have a booth in a corner for us?"

"Who's your friend?"

"Oh right. Sloane, Johnny. He owns the place."

She smiled. "Nice to meet you. I hear you have the best burgers ever."

He laughed. "This kid thinks so."

Once they sat in the booth, she felt awkward. "So you wouldn't be here, if you hadn't broken your arm?"

He shrugged. "I used to go to Florida as soon as the season was over. Now that I have your condo, I'm planning to stay through the holidays."

"You need to be there in February, anyway." Spring training started in February and lasted through March. The regular season started at the first of April. She wasn't glad he broke his arm, but she was glad she could spend some time with him.

She opened the menu and laughed.

"What?" he asked.

"The Lynch challenge. Did you really eat this?"

The menu had a burger made with three one-half pound patties. It came loaded with fries and onion rings. Anyone who ordered it and ate it without help, received a signed picture of Ben like the one on the wall.

"I could eat as a teen."

"Too bad."

"What?"

"If I didn't have to wear my dress tomorrow, I would want to win a picture."

His mouth dropped open. "You couldn't eat a pound and a half of beef with all that fried food. I could hardly do it now."

"I could definitely try." She winked at him.

"You want a signed picture of me that badly?"

"I am a crazy fan. But don't think that's all it will take for me to forgive you completely."

"Right you have some unknown favor hanging over my head. I think you enjoy torturing me."

Tori would respond with something seductive, but Sloane wasn't her sister. Instead, she smiled. "Are you ordering french fries or onion rings?"

He smirked. "Why?"

She tried to hide her smile. "Just wondering if I don't order either what I can steal."

He sighed and put down his menu. "No wonder you and Kenzie are friends. You can order your own. I think I can afford it."

"I can afford my meal." She waited for his reaction.

He scowled. "I invited you, so I'm buying."

"But we're just friends." She smiled. If she pushed him would he admit it was a date?

"I'll order both then."

"And I'll pay for my burger."

"Are you always this annoying? Listen, I have a reputation to keep. You can buy me dinner sometime where no one knows me."

"Where's that?"

"You can make me dinner?"

She laughed. "Are you a comedian? I can't cook. I can order in. We can celebrate when you get your cast off." She hadn't planned to trick him into another date.

"That's a few weeks away."

Johnny appeared. "You ready to order?"

Ben ordered a deluxe burger with fries and onion rings. She ordered a classic burger with no sides. He handed off both their menus.

When he smiled, she felt her heart rate increase. "That's not the Lynch challenge."

She shook her head. "I told you, I have to fit into my gown. Are you ready for some dancing?"

He groaned. "Tell me about this gown." His expression was intense.

"Why do you look so serious? It's perfectly appropriate."

He shook his head. "I guess I'll be surprised. Angela tried to get me to match her dress with my tie."

"Please don't. We're too old for prom. What happened between you two?"

"Who Angela? She proved not to be trustworthy. She leaked a picture of me with my cast."

She smiled. "I saw it. One picture and you booted her."

"No, that was just the last straw. So are you traveling someplace nice next week?"

"You have a habit of changing the subject."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

She smiled. He had avoided talking about his mother, Maisy, and now Angela. Someday he would share all his secrets with her.

"Fine. No place I travel to is nice because I'm always working. Dominic and I want to reduce our travel by starting our own company."

"Is that risky?" He leaned in, awaiting her response.

"Dom thinks it is. I think the risk is worth it. I'm tired of traveling. I'm sure you understand how old it gets living in hotels."

"Is that your way of making me feel guilty for my condo?"

She laughed, because she finally realized he was kidding her. "You like to tease me, don't you?"

"No, I still feel guilty."

She felt sorry for him. "Please don't I love my apartment. Honestly."

A young girl came over with two plates and put them down in front of them. The food looked delicious. The french fries on his plate were golden and crispy. "I'll be back with the onion rings."

Sloane reached for one of his fries, but his hand caught hers. "Just one or two." She smiled.

He didn't let go, and she felt the heat from his hand travel through her wrist and up her arm.

"Not knowing who you were wasn't an excuse to treat you unkindly. I didn't trust you. Trust is hard for me."

She stared into his eyes. "Why?"

"Let's eat. Help yourself to fries." He dropped her hand. She felt the loss immediately. The plate of onion rings arrived, and he smiled at her.

He was a hard man to read. She thought he was joking, but he was serious. His smile convinced her he more than tolerated her. She bit into her burger and it was worth the drive. She said as much to Ben.

His mouth pouted. "I hope my company was worth something."

Completely confused, she found her voice. "I am your biggest fan."

"And craziest." He winked.

Just as they finished eating, he stood and spoke to Johnny. She watched him take out his wallet. She took a moment to go into the ladies' room before the ride home. When she returned a signed picture was in front of her seat.

She looked up at him. "I didn't eat enough."

He laughed. "You've got that right." She hadn't been able to finish the burger. "Call it part of your apology. It's not like I can sign autographs right now."

They were silent on the ride back to her place. As he approached, she pointed to the driveway. "Pull in there. This is where you can pick me up." He pulled up next to the door. "It's not late. Do you want a dance, refresher?"

He shook his head. "No!"

"I won't bite."

He stared into her eyes. When his eyes dropped to her lips, she felt her heart take off. "I just think we should keep our dancing to public places. I'll be here by six-thirty, okay." She nodded up and down. "Goodnight, Sloane."

As she climbed out of his car, she waved. "Thanks for dinner."

Sloane heard him drive away after she was inside. She didn't make it into her apartment before Mia appeared.

"Were you on a date?"

She smiled and shook her head. It was not technically a date, but it felt like one. She even thought for a second, he might kiss her.

"Where did you go with Ben Lynch?"

"For burgers, but it wasn't a date."

"Are you going to see him again?" Mia looked excited.

"Tomorrow night, I agreed to accompany him to an event as friends."

Mia laughed. "Have fun and wear your new gown."

"I'm planning to."

"Ben won't know what hit him."

Sloane laughed as she shook her head. She hoped Mia was right because she was more in love with him than ever. Once alone, she studied his picture and felt thirteen when she kissed it. Maybe she needed to visit Bea's fountain again.

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