Chapter Text
Ben Solo was tired of chasing love. After too many heartbreaks he decides no more chasing for him, if someone truly wanted him they can start chasing him instead. Not that he thinks anyone would be interested in him anyways.
As he stood in the corner of the dimly lit venue, nursing a drink he didn't particularly enjoy, he contemplated how he'd ended up here. Poe had practically begged him to come to the firm's holiday party, insisting it would "do him good to socialize." Ben wasn't convinced, but he'd shown up anyway.
His mind drifted to his past relationships. Bazine had been his first real love in high school—a whirlwind of intense emotions that had him rearranging his entire life to be with her. He'd chosen Chandrila University because that's where she was going, even though he'd received better scholarship offers elsewhere. For two years, he'd been at her beck and call, rescheduling exams to attend her family events, staying up all night to help her with projects she'd procrastinated on, all while maintaining his own perfect GPA.
"I just don't feel the same anymore," she'd told him casually over coffee one Tuesday afternoon in their sophomore year, as if she were commenting on the weather. "I think we should break up."
The memory still stung. He'd transferred to Coruscant Law the next semester, determined to start fresh.
Then there was Kaydel, whom he'd met at his new school. Their relationship had lasted longer—almost three years. He'd thought they were building something real together. They'd talked about the future, even looked at apartments. Then one day, she'd come home excited about a job offer in Naboo.
"This is such an amazing opportunity, Ben," she'd said, eyes bright with possibility. "I have to take it."
"What about us?" he'd asked, already knowing the answer.
Her hesitation had said everything. "I think... we need to be realistic."
Realistic. As if his love had been some kind of fantasy.
After that, Ben had made himself a promise: no more chasing. No more rearranging his life for someone who wouldn't do the same for him. No more being the one who loved more, who tried harder, who cared deeper. If someone wanted him, really wanted him, they would have to show it.
"Ben! You actually came!" Poe's voice pulled him from his thoughts as his friend clapped him on the shoulder. "I was taking bets with Finn on whether you'd show up."
"Don't push it, Dameron. I might still leave," Ben replied, though there was no real threat in his voice.
Poe laughed. "Come on, there are people I want you to meet."
As Poe dragged him around the room, introducing him to colleagues whose names immediately slipped from his memory, Ben played his part—shaking hands, making small talk, smiling at the right moments. But his heart wasn't in it.
Then Poe clinked his glass, gathering everyone's attention for a toast to the firm's successful year. Ben half-listened, scanning the room absently.
That's when he saw her.
She stood a few feet away, looking as out of place as he felt. She wore a simple green dress that complemented her hazel eyes, her brown hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Unlike most of the people in the room, her smile seemed genuine, not practiced for networking purposes.
When the toast ended and the crowd dispersed, Ben found himself standing next to her at the bar.
"Do you also think the drinks here are crappy, or is it just me?" she asked, her British accent catching him by surprise.
Ben couldn't help but laugh. "Just a little bit," he admitted.
Her smile widened, and something in his chest tightened. It was beautiful—she was beautiful—not in the conventional, polished way of the other women in the room, but in a way that seemed real and warm.
For a moment, he felt the old impulse: ask for her number, suggest coffee, start the whole cycle again. But he caught himself. No more chasing, he reminded himself. No more being the stupid puppy desperate for affection.
Instead, he asked, "So, how do you know Poe?"
"Oh, we work together," she explained. "I'm a secretary at Resistance Legal. I'm Rey, by the way. Rey Johnson."
"Ben Solo," he replied. "Poe and I went to law school together after I transferred to Coruscant."
The conversation flowed naturally after that. Rey was easy to talk to, genuinely interested in what he had to say. She told him about growing up in foster care in England before moving to the States for college, how she was saving up to finish her degree while working at the firm. He found himself sharing more than he usually did with new acquaintances, telling her about his complicated relationship with his parents and his decision to pursue corporate law instead of political law like his mother.
Time slipped away as they talked, and before Ben knew it, people were beginning to leave. He realized with a start that he'd spent almost the entire party talking to Rey.
"Well, it's getting late," he said, feeling a strange reluctance to end their conversation. "It was really nice meeting you, Rey."
"You too, Ben," she said, and he thought he detected a note of disappointment in her voice.
He gave her a last smile and said, "Good night."
As he turned to leave, he caught the confusion in her eyes. For a moment, he wavered. Should he ask for her number after all? But no—he'd made himself a promise. No more chasing.
Rey watched him walk away, wondering if she'd misread the entire evening. She'd been so sure there was a connection between them, so certain he would ask for her number. She'd even prepared herself to say yes to whatever he might suggest—coffee, dinner, anything.
But he'd just smiled and said goodnight, as if their hours of conversation had been nothing more than pleasant small talk.
"Interesting," Poe said, appearing beside her with a knowing grin.
"What?" Rey asked, still staring at the door through which Ben had disappeared.
"I've known Ben Solo for years, and I've never seen him talk to anyone that long at a party in a while. Usually, he's gone within thirty minutes."
Rey felt a small flicker of hope. "Really?"
"Really," Poe confirmed. "So, what did you think of him?"
Rey bit her lip, considering her answer. "I think he's nice," she admitted. "I kind of like him."
Poe gave her a smug grin. "Yeah, he really is nice," he said. "I'll invite him more often to events then," he added with an exaggerated wink.
Rey rolled her eyes at him but couldn't hide her smile.
Two weeks later, Finn's birthday party was in full swing at Poe and Finn's apartment. Poe had insisted Ben come, and after some token resistance, Ben had agreed. "Fine, why not?" he'd said, telling himself it had nothing to do with the possibility of seeing Rey again.
He was examining the impressive collection of vinyl records on the shelf when a voice beside him made him jump.
"Hi!"
Ben turned to find Rey standing there, looking even more beautiful than he remembered in jeans and a simple blue top, her hair pulled back in a half-up style.
"Oh, hi... Rey, right?" he said, pretending he hadn't thought about her every day since they'd met.
She nodded, a bright smile on her face. "Yup! Nice seeing you again, Ben."
And just like that, they fell into easy conversation once more. She told him about the nightmare client who'd come into the office that week, and he shared stories about his most eccentric law professor. They laughed over Poe's dramatic retelling of how he and Finn had met, and debated the merits of vinyl versus digital music.
Later, when Finn was about to cut the cake, Rey nudged Ben's arm. "You have to try some," she insisted. "I picked it out for Finn."
Ben chuckled. "Hopefully you have good taste."
"Of course I do," Rey replied with a confident grin.
The party continued well past 10 PM, but eventually, some people began making excuses to leave.
"Look at all these oldies heading out already," Rey joked, watching as a couple gathered their coats.
Ben chuckled and glanced at his watch. "I'm afraid I'm one of the oldies then," he said. "I better head out too. Early meeting tomorrow."
A flicker of disappointment crossed Rey's face. "Okay," she said, then added hopefully, "Maybe we'll see each other again?"
Ben paused, considering. "Hmm, maybe," he replied with a small smile.
Rey stood there, waiting expectantly, her expression open and inviting.
But Ben just turned and walked toward the coat rack, leaving Rey gaping slightly in disbelief.
Is he really not going to ask for my number? she thought, watching him put on his coat. Again?
Three weeks later, Rey found herself at a prestigious industry award ceremony with Poe and Finn. Resistance Legal had secured a table for several of their staff to attend, as their managing partner was receiving a lifetime achievement award.
Rey smoothed down her formal dress—a rental, but a good one—and tried not to fidget in her seat as various speakers took to the podium. And then, across the crowded ballroom, she spotted a familiar tall figure standing by the windows, looking out at the city lights.
Her heart skipped a beat. Without thinking twice, she excused herself from the table and made her way toward him.
"Hey there, stranger," she said, popping up beside him with a smile.
Ben turned, surprise quickly melting into pleasure when he recognized her. "Oh, hi Rey," he said, his voice warm.
"Did Poe force you to attend this event too?" she asked, leaning against the window frame.
Ben chuckled and shook his head. "No, actually this time it was my mother."
Rey's eyebrows shot up. "Your mother?"
"Leia Organa," he said, nodding toward the woman currently being introduced on stage. "She's receiving the award tonight."
Rey's jaw dropped. "Resistance Legal's top attorney Leia Organa is your mother?" she asked incredulously. "But you work at..."
"First Order Legal," he finished for her. "Yes, out of rebellion, mainly. Not my most mature decision."
Rey couldn't help but snicker. "Trying to get on your mum's nerves?"
His lips quirked into a half-smile. "It's what I do best at," he admitted.
The night progressed pleasantly after that revelation. They chatted easily, finding a quiet corner where they could talk without disturbing others. Rey told him how much she admired his mother, describing how Leia had given her a chance at the firm despite her lack of experience.
"She's a wonderful attorney general," Rey said earnestly. "She actually cares about the people who work for her."
"That's good to know," Ben replied. "My boss at the First Order, Snoke, is a complete dick."
"Then why stay?" Rey asked.
Ben shrugged. "Stubbornness, mostly. And I do handle interesting cases." He paused. "But I've been thinking about making a change lately."
They spent the entire event by each other's side, even watching together as Leia accepted her award with a gracious speech that had the room applauding enthusiastically. Rey noticed how Ben's expression softened with unmistakable pride, despite his supposed rebellion.
As the evening drew to a close and people began departing, Ben turned to her. "It was nice chatting with you again, Rey."
Rey nodded, feeling a familiar disappointment beginning to creep in. But this time, she decided, things would be different. If Ben wasn't going to make the move, she would.
"I had fun too," she said, gathering her courage. Then she asked directly, "Maybe I can get your number and we can talk more?"
Ben looked surprised for a moment, then pulled out his phone. "Sure," he said, and they exchanged numbers, fingers brushing as they handed phones back and forth.
Rey walked away from the event with a buoyant feeling in her chest. Finally, they had a way to stay in touch that didn't depend on Poe's social calendar.
But things didn't work out quite like Rey had planned. She waited days for him to call or even send a text, checking her phone obsessively. Nothing.
After three days, she found herself staring at his contact information, thumb hovering over the screen. Should she text him first?
No, she decided, that would seem too desperate. He had her number. If he wanted to talk to her, he would reach out.
Days turned into a week, and Rey sighed, tossing her phone onto her bed. "He probably just doesn't like me that much," she muttered to herself, trying to ignore the sting of disappointment.
Thanksgiving arrived, and with it came Resistance Legal's annual office party. Rey had almost forgotten that Leia would likely invite her son—why wouldn't she?—until she spotted his tall frame across the festively decorated conference room.
She sat awkwardly at one of the round tables as people lined up at the buffet, picking at a napkin and trying to look busy on her phone. She noticed Ben wasn't lining up either; he was sitting alone at a table near the window, scrolling through his own phone.
Before she could overthink it, Rey stood up and walked over to him.
"So," she said, dropping into the chair beside him, "what's the point of exchanging numbers if you aren't going to text?"
Ben turned to her, looking slightly taken aback. "Uh, you can text too, ya know," he pointed out.
She gave him a mischievous smile. "Hmm, gosh, I'm really busy though," she said, the teasing tone barely hiding her genuine question: why hadn't he reached out?
Ben smirked. "Ah yes, my mother must overload you with paperwork."
Rey gave a small laugh, then glanced toward the buffet line. "Why aren't you lining up to eat?" she asked, changing the subject.
"I don't like waiting in line," he said simply. "What about you?"
"I actually ate earlier," she replied. "I wasn't very fond of their food selection anyway."
Ben nodded, seeming to think for a moment. "I may go out and eat later then," he said, his tone casual but his eyes watching her reaction.
Rey waited, heart beating a little faster. Was this his way of inviting her? But the invitation never came. She bit her lip, wondering if she should ask him instead. But before she could decide, Leia clinked a glass, calling for everyone's attention.
"I'd like to make a toast," Leia announced, her commanding presence drawing all eyes in the room. "To express what I'm most thankful for this year, including having so many wonderful people here today."
Ben and Rey smiled politely, raising their glasses to Leia and taking a sip. As Rey lowered her glass, she caught Ben looking at her, an unreadable expression on his face.
The Thanksgiving dinner continued pleasantly enough, with polite conversation flowing around the tables. Rey chatted with her colleagues, occasionally glancing over at Ben, who seemed to be enduring similar small talk with people who clearly knew his mother.
As the evening wound down and people began gathering their things to leave, Rey decided to thank Leia one more time for including her in the event. She made her way across the room, only to pause when she saw Leia standing with Ben in a quiet corner, deep in conversation.
"Ben, I know this nice girl from the Harbor district office," Leia was saying. "She's smart, ambitious, the daughter of one of my old friends. I could arrange for you two to meet."
Rey froze, then stepped behind a nearby column, not wanting to interrupt but unable to walk away.
"Mom," Ben's voice was patient but firm. "I told you I'm not interested in being set up."
"I'm not getting any younger, you know," Leia pressed. "I'd like to see my only child married already—and especially some grandkids too."
Rey felt her heart sink, a frown forming on her face. She backed away slowly, careful not to be noticed. I guess I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up, she thought. If Ben was rejecting his mother's attempts to set him up with accomplished lawyers, what chance did a secretary working her way through school have?
"No thanks, Mom. I'm not interested," Ben repeated, more firmly this time.
Leia huffed and threw up her hands. "Fine, whatever. You always were stubborn."
Rey watched as Ben leaned down to kiss his mother's head. "See you later, Mom," he said affectionately, then turned to leave, walking right past where Rey stood partially hidden, without noticing her.
Rey sighed as she watched him go. She returned to her table to collect her jacket, mentally preparing herself for the ride home with Finn and Poe, who were already calling for her from across the room.
"Rey! Ready to head out?" Finn asked cheerfully.
"Coming," she called back, forcing a smile onto her face.
December arrived with twinkling lights and holiday cheer. Poe insisted on hosting a Christmas dinner party with the firm the day before Christmas Eve, an idea that Leia enthusiastically supported.
"A wonderful way to celebrate the season together," she had announced in the office-wide email.
The party was held at an upscale restaurant with a private dining room decorated with garlands and a small, tastefully adorned Christmas tree in the corner. Everyone participated in Secret Santa—nothing expensive, just $20 gifts that were piled under the tree.
Rey wore a festive red dress and a Santa hat, feeling both silly and festive. As she mingled with her colleagues, she couldn't help but notice that Ben wasn't there. She tried not to feel disappointed, telling herself it was ridiculous to keep looking for him at every event, but she had been hoping to speak with him again. She really did enjoy their conversations, and well... he was certainly nice to look at, too.
The evening progressed with good food, warm conversation, and the exchange of Secret Santa gifts. Rey received a lovely scarf from Rose, one of the paralegals, and was pleased to see that Finn loved the vintage record she'd found for him at a thrift store.
As the night wound down and people were gathering their coats to leave, Leia approached Rey with a warm smile.
"You're doing fantastic work, Rey," she said, patting her arm affectionately.
"Thank you," Rey replied, genuinely touched by the praise. "This Christmas event is wonderful."
Leia beamed. "Oh, you're welcome, my dear." She glanced around the room. "I'm surprised you didn't invite a boyfriend to join us."
Rey laughed lightly. "I'm not actually seeing anyone."
Leia's eyes lit up in a way that reminded Rey eerily of Poe when he was plotting something. "Oh, such a shame! You're too pretty to be single." She leaned in conspiratorially. "If you want, I can set you up with a wonderful man. What do you say?"
Rey hesitated, mulling it over. Her prospects with Ben seemed nonexistent—he hadn't texted, hadn't asked her out despite multiple opportunities. Maybe it was time to move on.
"Sure," she said finally. "But just one date."
"That's fantastic!" Leia said, clapping her hands together.
When Rey turned, she froze. Ben was standing a few feet away, staring at her and Leia with an unreadable expression. He gave her a small, defeated smile that made something twist in Rey's chest.
Rey blinked at him, suddenly flustered.
"Ben, honey, you're here!" Leia exclaimed.
"Sorry I'm late, Mom," he said, stepping forward to hand his mother a beautifully wrapped package.
"Sweetheart, you don't need to get your own mother a gift," Leia chided gently.
"It's to make up for the times I wasn't here," Ben said quietly, then turned to Rey. "Hi Rey. Nice hat."
Rey blushed and tugged at her red Santa hat self-consciously. "Hi Ben."
"Ben, have you met Rey?" Leia asked, as if they weren't already looking directly at each other. "She's one of my wonderful workers."
Ben nodded. "Yeah, we've spoken a few times."
"What do you think?" Leia pressed. "I think Beaumont would be a nice date for her."
Rey watched Ben's face, trying to gauge his reaction. For a moment, something that looked like disappointment flickered in his eyes, but it was gone so quickly she might have imagined it.
"Whatever Rey wants, of course," he said with that same defeated smile.
Rey gave them both a shy smile. "Excuse me," she murmured, suddenly needing to be anywhere else. "I'm going to get another eggnog."
As she walked to the drink table, she glanced back. Ben was helping Leia put her coat on, preparing to leave. He didn't look in Rey's direction again.
"Beaumont Kin," Rey muttered to herself as she checked her reflection in the mirror one last time. "What kind of name is Beaumont anyway?"
It was mid-January, and she was finally going on the blind date Leia had arranged. Between the holidays and everyone's busy schedules, it had taken a few weeks to set up. Rey had almost hoped Leia would forget, but the older woman had cornered her the first day back at work after New Year's with Beaumont's number and a directive to "wear something nice."
Rey had chosen a simple emerald green dress—not too fancy, but nicer than her everyday work clothes. She'd spent more time than usual on her hair, arranging it in loose waves that fell past her shoulders, and had even put on makeup, something she usually reserved for special occasions.
The restaurant Beaumont had chosen was upscale but not intimidating—a good sign, Rey thought. He'd been perfectly pleasant on the phone when they'd arranged the details, with a clear voice and an easy laugh. By all accounts, this should be a perfectly nice evening with a perfectly nice man.
So why did she feel so unenthusiastic?
Rey pushed the thought away as she entered the restaurant. She spotted him immediately at a corner table—tall, with carefully styled blond hair and a neatly trimmed beard. He stood as she approached, revealing a well-tailored suit and a confident smile.
"Rey?" he asked, extending his hand. "I'm Beaumont. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise," Rey replied, shaking his hand and taking her seat.
The waiter appeared almost immediately with menus, and Beaumont launched into a discussion of the restaurant's specialties with the ease of someone who dined out frequently.
"The sea bass is excellent here," he said. "Though if you prefer meat, the filet mignon is cooked to perfection."
Rey nodded, trying to focus on the menu rather than the prices listed beside each item. She hadn't expected quite this level of expense.
"So," Beaumont said after they'd ordered, "Leia tells me you're working at Resistance Legal while finishing your degree. What are you studying?"
"Engineering," Rey replied. "With a focus on sustainable systems."
Beaumont raised his eyebrows, looking genuinely impressed. "That's certainly not the path most legal secretaries take."
"I'm not planning to be a secretary forever," Rey said with a small smile. "It's a good job that helps pay the bills while I'm in school."
"Admirable," Beaumont said, taking a sip of his wine. "I've always respected people who work their way up."
The conversation flowed easily after that. Beaumont was intelligent and articulate, sharing stories about his work as a corporate lawyer at Harbor Legal, one of Resistance's partner firms. He asked thoughtful questions about Rey's studies and seemed genuinely interested in her answers.
By any objective measure, it was a good date. Yet as the evening progressed, Rey found herself making mental comparisons that she knew were unfair. Beaumont's laugh, while pleasant, didn't have the rare, rich quality of Ben's. His stories were interesting but lacked the understated wit that made Ben's observations so engaging. And while he was certainly handsome, he didn't have the distinctive features and expressive eyes that had drawn Rey to Ben from the first moment.
"—and that's when the judge actually fell asleep," Beaumont was saying, finishing a story Rey had only half-heard.
She laughed politely, trying to refocus on the present. "That's terrible," she said, hoping it was an appropriate response.
"It was," Beaumont agreed, seeming not to notice her distraction. He glanced at his watch. "Would you like dessert? They have an excellent crème brûlée."
Rey considered it, then shook her head. "I should probably head home. Early class tomorrow," she lied. It was Friday, and she didn't have weekend classes this semester.
"Of course," Beaumont said smoothly. He signaled for the check, insisting on paying despite Rey's token protest.
Outside the restaurant, they paused on the sidewalk. The January night was cold, their breath visible in small clouds.
"I had a lovely time," Beaumont said, stepping slightly closer.
"Me too," Rey replied automatically. "Thank you for dinner."
"Would you like to do this again sometime?" he asked. "Perhaps next weekend?"
Rey hesitated. Beaumont was smart, successful, and by all accounts a catch. Leia clearly thought they'd be a good match. And yet...
"I'm not sure," she admitted. "You're great, Beaumont, really. But I—"
"There's someone else," he finished for her, not unkindly.
Rey blinked in surprise. "How did you know?"
Beaumont smiled ruefully. "You have a certain look when your mind wanders. I've seen it before." He shrugged. "It's okay. Blind dates are always a gamble."
"I'm sorry," Rey said, feeling genuinely bad. "You're really nice and—"
He held up a hand, stopping her. "No need to explain. Leia will be disappointed, though. She seemed quite determined to make this work."
Rey grimaced. "I know. I'll deal with that."
"Good luck," Beaumont said with genuine warmth. He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "With everything."
As she walked to the subway, Rey found herself pulling out her phone. She scrolled to a contact she'd looked at dozens of times without acting, her thumb hovering over the screen.
Then, with a sigh, she put the phone back in her purse.
If he wanted to talk to me, he would have texted by now, she thought. It's time to stop being stupid about this.
February brought another social gathering—this time to celebrate Finn's promotion to senior paralegal at Resistance Legal. The office had reserved a section of a trendy bar downtown, with appetizers arranged on high tables and an open bar for the first hour.
Rey arrived with Poe, who immediately began working the room as the social butterfly he was. She grabbed a glass of wine from the bar and surveyed the crowd, her heart skipping when she spotted a familiar tall figure standing near the windows.
"Great," she muttered. "The guy I'm crushing on who doesn't like me back is here again."
With a determined huff, she drained her entire glass, grabbed another, and made her way toward Ben. She was tired of this dance they kept doing, and the wine had given her just enough courage to confront it head-on.
"Hello again," she said, sidling up beside him.
Ben turned, surprise flickering across his features before settling into a small, guarded smile. "Hi. How's everything?"
"It's okay," Rey said with forced casualness. "Just went on a date, actually."
She watched his face carefully. Something flashed in his eyes—was it disappointment?—but his expression remained neutral as he gave her a tight nod.
"Good for you," he said, his voice even.
Rey huffed through her nose, irritation rising. "Yeah, actually it was great. Amazing, in fact." The lie tasted bitter on her tongue.
Ben nodded again. "Good. You deserve it."
Rey was literally about to lose her shit. After months of this back-and-forth, his polite distance was infuriating. She took another sip of wine and decided to push further.
"What about you?" she asked.
"Me?" Ben looked genuinely confused.
"Yes, you," Rey pressed. "Anyone you're seeing ?"
Ben shook his head, his eyes dropping to his drink. "No, I, uh... I haven't gone out with anyone in well.. some years."
Rey couldn't help the snort that escaped her. "What's wrong? Don't know how to ask people out?"
To her surprise, Ben smiled—a real smile, with a hint of sadness. "I'm just tired of being dumped."
"Oh..." The simple admission caught Rey off-guard. She stared at her now-empty cup, a frown forming on her face as she considered his words. "They must be blind then," she muttered, not intending for him to hear.
But he did. His head tilted slightly, eyes studying her with newfound interest.
Rey looked up, meeting his gaze directly. The alcohol and frustration combined to make her bold. "We should hang out!" she blurted out.
Ben raised a single eyebrow. "Hang out?"
"Yeah," Rey nodded emphatically. ".... As friends."
Something that might have been disappointment flickered across his face, but he quickly masked it. "Sure," he said after a moment. "Sounds good."
"I'll text you," Rey promised, feeling a mixture of triumph and frustration. It wasn't exactly what she wanted, but it was progress.
Ben nodded, the hint of a genuine smile playing at the corner of his lips. "I'd like that."
True to her word, Rey texted Ben the very next day. No overthinking, no waiting games—just a simple message with the location of a restaurant and "Lunch tomorrow at 12?" It was the first step in what she hoped would be... well, she wasn't quite sure what, but something more than their current state of awkward encounters at social events.
When her phone buzzed with his reply—"See you there"—she almost wanted to leap off her bed in excitement. It was the first time he'd actually texted her, and somehow that simple response felt like a victory.
The restaurant she'd chosen was nothing fancy, just a cozy bistro halfway between their respective offices. Rey arrived five minutes early, nervously smoothing her skirt as she waited outside. She spotted him walking down the block at exactly noon—punctual, just as she'd expected.
"Hi," she said, suddenly feeling shy despite being the one who had initiated this.
"Hi," he replied, looking slightly uncertain himself.
The hostess led them to a small table by the window, and after a brief moment of awkwardness as they settled in, the conversation began to flow.
"So, how's the First Order treating you?" Rey asked, genuinely curious about his work.
Ben shrugged. "Same as always. Snoke's still a demanding boss, but the cases are interesting." He paused. "How about Resistance? My mother working you too hard?"
Rey chuckled. "She's demanding but fair. I'm learning a lot." She took a sip of water. "Though balancing work and school can be challenging."
"What year are you in now?" he asked.
"Final year, thankfully. One more semester after this one and I'll have my degree."
"Engineering, right? That's impressive."
Rey felt her cheeks warm at the genuine admiration in his voice. "It's been a long road. Took me longer than most since I've been working full-time."
Their conversation continued easily through the meal, touching on everything from their favorite podcasts (they shared a surprising fondness for true crime) to childhood memories (Ben's tales of growing up with famous parents were particularly fascinating to Rey, who had grown up in the foster system).
Before they knew it, an hour had passed, and Ben glanced at his watch with a look of surprise.
"I should probably head back soon," he said, sounding genuinely reluctant.
Rey nodded, gathering her courage to ask the question that had been on her mind throughout their meal. "Would you want to do this again sometime?"
"Sure," Ben replied, almost too quickly. "This was nice, actually. Usually, I skip lunch."
Rey frowned disapprovingly. "That's not healthy."
Ben shrugged. "I just get swamped with work sometimes and don't take an hour off."
"Well," Rey said decisively, "from now on, I better see you here every day at 12."
Ben chuckled, the sound warming Rey's chest. "Alright then. See you tomorrow."
She smiled, feeling a flutter of excitement. "Yup. See ya."
As they parted ways outside the restaurant, Rey watched him walk back toward his office, his tall figure easy to spot even in the crowded sidewalk. For the first time in months, she felt like they were finally moving forward, even if it was under the guise of friendship.
Baby steps, she told herself. Baby steps are still steps.
And baby steps they took. Every day at noon for the next three weeks, Rey and Ben met at their bistro. Weekdays became weekends, with neither of them commenting on the fact that they were now spending their precious free time together as well. Rey liked it a lot. She liked him a lot.
Their conversations grew deeper, more personal. Ben told her about his complicated relationship with his father, Han, a famous pilot who was rarely home during Ben's childhood. Rey shared stories of her years in the foster system, things she rarely discussed with anyone. They discovered shared tastes in music, a mutual love of rainy days, and the same dry sense of humor that often left them laughing until their sides hurt.
After three weeks of the same bistro, Rey decided to shake things up.
"Want to try something different for lunch this weekend?" she asked as they finished their usual Friday meal.
Ben looked up, seeming almost relieved at the suggestion. "Sure. What other place do you know?"
Rey smirked, already planning their culinary adventure.
The following weekend, they began exploring the city's food scene. They tried a hole-in-the-wall Thai place with the best pad thai Rey had ever tasted. They discovered a Mediterranean food truck with falafel that Ben declared was "life-changing." They sampled Italian, Ethiopian, Korean—each meal an excuse to spend more time together, to learn more about each other.
They laughed and talked, and with each passing day, Rey fell a little harder. It had been over a month of their lunch "hangs" now, and she found herself wishing it could be more. She'd catch herself staring at his lips when he spoke, wondering what it would be like to kiss him. She'd find excuses to touch his arm or hand, savoring the brief contact. But he never indicated he wanted anything more than friendship, always careful to maintain a certain distance between them.
"So," Ben said casually one Tuesday as they sat at their original bistro, "how's your date going?"
Rey blinked, confused for a moment, before remembering her lie from weeks ago. "Oh," she said, a mischievous idea forming in her mind. Maybe a little jealousy would help him realize his feelings.
She smirked and said, "Fantastic. He's amazing, I tell you."
She watched Ben's face carefully, looking for any sign of jealousy or disappointment. Instead, he gave her a small, resigned smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"That's... good," he said quietly.
Before she could respond, he stood up abruptly, gathering his things. "I better head to work now."
Rey stood too, her smirk faltering. "We still have 20 minutes left."
"Need to beat the lunch rush," he said, not meeting her eyes. "See you tomorrow."
He left quickly, leaving Rey standing by their table, watching his retreating back with a sinking feeling in her stomach.
Maybe the jealousy thing backfired, she thought, gathering her own things slowly. The look on his face hadn't been jealousy—it had been resignation, as if her confirmation of a relationship with someone else was exactly what he'd expected all along.