Page 93 of Get to You
"You done for today, sweets?"
"Yeah. George is here, so..." I trail off, wanting to ask if he’s ready to go home, but the phrase feels strange. Oddly domestic.
"Brian’s flight isn't until ten tonight. You wanna grab a bite before we head home?" He says it so easy. I reply with a smile and nod then add, "Sounds good. You flying back home, Brian?"
He looks at Beau with a furrowed brow. "You didn't tell her?" He asks, sounding confused.
"I didn't mean to not tell her. It's just been a shit crazy day," he replies wide-eyed, then looks at me. "He's going to Alabama, sweets. He needs more information that we can get from here." I wrap my arms around myself.
"Oh, like to check up on him?" Beau nods, looking sympathetic to my sudden shift to visible discomfort.
"Hey, I've been taking up your office all day. Did you get a chance to call the management company?" He changes the subject quickly.
"No. Actually, I'd forgotten." Beau stands and ushers me to the seat behind my desk where he was sitting.
"Why don't you give them a call? It's probably too late to get anyone today, but you can leave a message. I should have reminded you," he adds regrettably.
I scroll through the numbers on my cell phone while telling him, "We were both busy."
Once I find the number I'm looking for, I pick up the receiver to my desk phone and dial. It rings several times before an answering service picks up. I leave a detailed message, along with my cell and work numbers, for them to return my call as soon as possible.
"I'll try again tomorrow morning," I offer when I hang up.
Beau holds open my jacket. I walk over, turning my back to him and slide my arms in. He loops his arms around me as he ties the belt and brings his face to my neck He kisses me gently then pats my butt, ushering me forward. I'm not sure what my face looks like during this whole ordeal, but when I see Brian grinning at us, I flush and pull the belt tighter.
We find a trendy pub a few blocks from the store. Walking is an experience. Everybody notices us, but it's hard not to. I quickly order the first thing my eyes land on. I get fish and chips, while both guys get burgers.
Before our food arrives, both men drain a beer each. I quickly down my pineapple juice as the waitress brings refills for all of us. She's friendly and very flirty with both Beau and Brian, but neither men react. Beau steals a few steak fries from my plate, dredging them through the ketchup on his plate. I snag an onion ring from his as revenge.
Dinner is fun and easy. I don't think either man grasps what a big deal it is for me to be there with them. This is what I've been missing for years, and I don't ever want to go back to how it was before meeting the both of them. It would definitely be harder now, knowing what I'd be missing.
When I look around, I see a few people openly looking at our table. As the food disappears, their conversation grows more active and louder, drawing the attention of the surrounding tables.
I stay quiet, mostly content to listen as the two men reminisce about their childhood. They both attempt to include me often, but I find I just don't have much to share in the way of happy memories. The ones before my mother passed would only make me sad, and the ones after aren't worth the thought. Rita was a true bright spot in my life, but her loss feels too fresh to talk about in casual conversation.
As the evening progresses, Beau finds little ways to include me. He picks up my hand and kisses my knuckles or rests our intertwined hands on the table top. They are all small gestures to remind me that I am not being ignored, though I don’t actively participate.
“I think it's time we get going," Brian finally comments as he raises his arm to the waitress. She heads over quickly, and he asks, "Can we get the check, please?"
"Oh sure," her smile falters. She turns away and walks over to the register with a little less pep in her step. When she returns, her smile is back in place as she places the bill down near Brian. He snatches it up before Beau can reach for it.
"Next time," Beau says, standing up. He pulls the back of my chair out, prompting me to stand. Our coats are draped over the backs of our chairs. He again helps me into mine before putting on his own.
By the amount of bills left on the table, it appears Brian has left a sizable tip for the young woman. We part ways outside of the pub.
Brian reminds Beau that he'll be gone a few days, “A week at most.” He asks Beau to keep him updated on the situation here.
The big man takes me by surprise by wrapping me in a big bear hug, then whispering, "Stay safe."
