Chapter Text
Ben didn't want to go on this date. It would be enjoyable under different circumstances, for example, the girl being a certain blue-eyed blonde whom he may or may not be enamored with. But Leslie was unobtainable. He couldn't risk getting fired, or more importantly, getting her fired.
It's too late to cancel now. He should just go on the date. He's not one to open up to people (except Leslie, but that is neither here nor there), but maybe he should be honest with her or just tell the truth but be super vague about it. He could just suck it up and go. That's always an option.
The rule was just annoying at this point. Yes, it's essential and it makes sense to have to avoid corruption, but why does it have to affect them? They're people who mean well and try to do as much good as possible! Why did things never go their way?
//
He walks into the restaurant, scanning around the area for Cindy. She's not here yet. He picks a table in the back and sits down, looking around.
Cindy appears as he's staring at the floor. She's wearing a casual navy blue dress that exposes her shoulders, and her dark brown hair flows down her back.
"Hey." She looked nervous; a little too nervous. Maybe his nerves were making him feel paranoid.
"Hey," he says, as casually as he can.
She sits down and a waiter brings them both menus.
He pretends to be really interested in the menu to avoid eye contact with her. It doesn't work, because he fidgets and feels himself getting sweaty.
Aside from his feelings for Leslie, first dates are always nervous and awkward. He remembers that the first time he went out with Cindy Eckert, he was so nervous, he chugged down his Sprite and started choking and coughing while she sat there looking super uncomfortable.
They both order a chicken salad.
As he waits for his food, he can't help but think about Leslie's reaction to chicken salad. Her face would scrunch up adorably as she looked at the vegetable-packed food with disdain. He smiles.
"So.... Chris," Cindy starts.
"He is quite a character," Ben adds.
"That he is," she replies, looking around the room. The waiter comes by and places their food on the table wordlessly.
Cindy takes a deep breath and sighs, staring at her plate for a good minute before looking back up at him. "I have to be honest with you."
Ben freezes a little and looks at her curiously. "Yeah?"
"I sort of have feelings for someone I work with."
"Oh. Wait, what?" He pauses. "Well, that makes what I'm about to say a lot easier."
Cindy tilts his head to the side in confusion. "What?"
"I sort of like someone in city government too."
"Oh. Well, that worked out perfectly," Cindy snorts.
"Yeah."
"I guess that makes this less awkward, then."
"Definitely." He smiles. "What do we tell Chris? He's nothing if not persistent."
"I don't know. Maybe tell him I wasn't your type?"
"Good idea."
"So, we shouldn't let this dinner go to waste. Let's get down to the good stuff. Who do you like?" She says with a sarcastic smile.
"Very funny."
"Is it that blonde?"
Ben freezes. "What blonde?"
"That girl in the Parks Department. You've chosen well. She's nice." Cindy sips her cola.
"Are you a mind reader?"
"Wait, I was right? Yes!" Cindy says loudly, causing people from the other tables to turn and look at them. Ben reddened a little in embarrassment before taking his focus off of them and looking back to answer her.
"Okay, this is too much of a coincidence. How did you know?"
"Didn't you guys work on the Harvest Festival together? I went, and you two were talking a lot. And flirting very blatantly, for that matter," She says, winking teasingly.
Ben looks away sheepishly, his face starting to redden again. "Uh, what?"
"You two were flirting so hard!" She laughs and leans forward. "Did you not realize it?"
"We were not flirting. We're just friends."
"Apparently not, 'cause you just said you like her."
"I'm her boss. It can't happen."
"I know the feeling."
"Speaking of, who do you like?" He says, laughing at his turning the tables on her.
"What's so funny?"
"I just realized we sound like 12 year old kids with crushes."
She rolls her eyes at him. "Whatever. Anyway, this girl who works with me in the county commissioner's office is who I'm into. She's really sweet."
"And I'm the lame one."
"I didn't say that specifically," she says, feigning innocence.
"But you were thinking it."
She tries to look confused for a moment, but then gives up and sighs. "Ugh, okay, fine."
//
After dinner, he walks Cindy back to her car and she stops before she takes out her keys.
"Ben?"
"Yeah?"
Cindy reaches into her purse and pulls out a small yellow notepad and a blue ballpoint pen. She starts scribbling furiously, while Ben watches, perplexed. She rips off the paper when she's done and hands it to Ben. Her phone number.
"If you ever want to..." She takes a quick look at her surroundings. "...talk, about it, call me."
Ben smiles. "I might take you up on that."
"Good." She says, and pulls out her keys. She opens her car door and gets in, starts it and drives off.
Ben walks to his car, glad he finally has someone to talk to.