Chapter 473 Daphne's Acting Skills
"Seriously, is there any other options?" Gavin asked, trying to sound casual.
"It's a done deal," Daphne replied, not worried about him spilling the beans. "Everything's set up, and changing it now would be a nightmare."
Gavin paused. If he bailed, Daphne would definitely hit up Lydia.
And if Lydia found out Daphne was planning to pop the question to Benjamin, she'd totally back Daphne.
Worse, Lydia might even spill all of Benjamin's plans to Daphne.
"Let me make a call," Gavin said, trying to cover his earlier slip-up. "If my buddy's got enough people, I'll help you out."
"Cool." Daphne nodded.
Gavin faked a call nearby, looking all serious, but his mind was racing about whether to tip off Benjamin about Daphne's proposal.
After five minutes of mental gymnastics, Gavin decided to play it cool and keep both sides clueless, acting like he knew nothing.
"All set. I'll help you on the 12th," Gavin said, putting away his phone. "What do you need me to do?"
"Help me fly the drone to deliver the ring," Daphne laid out the plan.
Regular anniversaries? Meh, she didn't care and usually forgot unless reminded.
But a proposal? That was a big deal. Daphne wanted it to be perfect.
She shared her plan with Gavin.
Gavin was touched and agreed right away, "Sure, I'll make it awesome."
"Thanks." Daphne felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
Emma and Zoey would film the whole thing to capture every romantic moment.
After hashing out the details, Daphne headed back.
Before leaving, she let Benjamin know she was on her way home.
During dinner, Benjamin got a message from Gavin, saying he had something super important on the 12th and couldn't help.
Benjamin's brow furrowed, looking a bit conflicted.
"What's up?" Daphne asked, noticing his expression.
"Nothing," Benjamin said, texting to see if he could reschedule, then putting his phone down.
Without Gavin, the perfect proposal would have a tiny flaw.
Benjamin didn't want Daphne to have any regrets with him.
"Your face says something's up," Daphne teased, mimicking his usual tone.
Benjamin's eyes flickered lazily. "Does my face tell you what I'm thinking now?"
Knowing she couldn't win this one, Daphne wisely dropped it.
Benjamin glanced at her and started thinking about Gavin's change of plans.
Daphne met with Gavin, and now he's bailing.
Could it be related to Daphne?
"Daphne," Benjamin called in his deep, smooth voice.
"Yeah?"
"What did Gavin want today?"
"Not much," Daphne said casually. "He didn't want to go on a blind date, so he asked me to pick him up."
Benjamin's eyes narrowed, his voice slow and deliberate. "Is that all?"
"Yeah."
"Anything else?"
"Nope."
"Really?" Benjamin's casual tone made Daphne's heart skip a beat.
Did he know something?
"I heard you were talking with him about something else when you were in the bathroom with your phone," Benjamin probed.
Daphne thought, 'Man, Benjamin's sharp.'
Judging by her look, Benjamin could tell Gavin's sudden change of plans was linked to her.
What could be so important that Gavin would ditch Benjamin's proposal?
"So, what did you talk about?" Benjamin pressed.
Daphne felt like she was walking on thin ice.
Her mind raced. "Nothing much."
"Hmm?"
"Seriously," Daphne insisted.
Benjamin ran through all the possibilities, landing on one. "Are you planning to propose to me on the 12th?"
The only thing Gavin would bail for had to be about Daphne.
Gavin's parents' birthdays weren't now, and he didn't have a girlfriend. Friends wouldn't come before Daphne.
Daphne paused, her heart pounding. If she weren't staring at her food, her reaction would've been obvious.
Even so, Benjamin noticed her slight hesitation.
Thinking he might be right, his emotions were all over the place—surprised, happy, and confused.
"I knew you'd say that," Daphne said, looking troubled, starting her act.
Benjamin wondered if he was off base.
"I do want to propose, but you never cooperate," Daphne said, feeling the pressure. "You won't go ring shopping with me, and you won't tell me what kind of proposal you want. How can I propose without knowing?"
Benjamin studied her face; she seemed genuine.
"Then why have you been avoiding me?"
"Afraid you'd think I was planning a proposal and get disappointed if it wasn't," Daphne said sincerely.
For the first time, Benjamin doubted his instincts.
His logic seemed sound, but Daphne's reaction felt real.
"I've been helping Gavin with his proposal," Daphne said, mixing in some truth. "Helping him pick out a ring, figuring out his girlfriend's feelings."
"He has a girlfriend?"
"Yeah."
Benjamin sensed his theory was slipping away.
Daphne's eyes were serious, and after so much time with Benjamin, her storytelling had improved. "He had a secret relationship no one knew about. They broke up for complicated reasons. He seemed single, but he always had someone in his heart."
"Then why the blind dates?" Benjamin found a flaw.
Gavin didn't seem like the type to be fickle.
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