"No one else saw."

“But you did."

"I don't find it embarrassing. I think you're adorable."

Hearing this, Claudia peeked at him shyly. "Do you think I'm stupid, Bennett?"

She always felt like a bit of a goofball around him, not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Claudia felt a bit awkward about tumbling onto the bed just now. But looking back, she realized she was never really graceful around Bennett.

It seemed like she was always making a fool of herself in his presence.

“Why do you act so silly?" he teased. “How can someone who likes me be dumb?"

He grinned down at her.

It sounded a bit like he was patting himself on the back, but Claudia couldn't argue with his logic.

Despite still feeling a tad embarrassed, she figured she'd embarrassed herself in front of him enough times to let it go. So she looked at him and said, "You're right."

She yawned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm beat."

Bennett scooped her up, tucked her into bed, and pulled the covers over her. "Time for some shut-eye."

Thinking he had other plans, Claudia instinctively grabbed his hand and asked, "What about you?"

"I'll switch off the lights."

As darkness filled the room, Claudia let go of his hand, feeling her cheeks flush.

Soon enough, she felt the bed shift as Bennett settled in beside her.

In the blink of an eye, she found herself wrapped up in his comforting arms.

Claudia let out a big yawn. The darkness was making her drowsy. She bid him good night and drifted off to sleep.

The next day rolled around, a lazy Sunday. Claudia didn't stir until almost nine.

It was one of those laid-back days. They had breakfast together, snuggled up on the couch for a bit, then Claudia headed to the piano room for practice.

With no plans on the agenda, they decided to catch a movie after lunch in the underground video room.

Claudia had picked out a suspense flick, one with a killer pace and twisty plots.

They were both engrossed in the movie, at least until Claudia's hand wandered where it shouldn't have, and things got a little heated.