Page 4 of Beautiful Deceit
His face is serious as he responds, "I will Sammy.”
Chapter 2
After paying for the short cab ride home, I drop my bags in the entry. I check my box for mail as it’s only a few steps from the main entrance. I gladly find it empty. I use the store’s mailing address, so the only mail I get at home is junk.
I have frequented the BB & B daily since I first moved to New York with my school being only a couple blocks away. I found solace in the quiet old store. Mr. B, noticing my regular presence, started giving me odd jobs to do. I began taking on more responsibilities in the store during my senior year, suggesting he bring his business into the twenty-first century by taking his store online. He questioned the need for an online store but told me if I set it up for him I could share in the profits.
The summer I graduated high school, I got the page up and running. A year later Mr. B's profits were soaring. A year after that, he handed me the keys and said there was no one else who would take better care of his store.
Mr. B now lives in Hawaii. I still send him a share of the profit, plus a fixed rate for purchasing the building and business. Sometimes, things are slow, and I have to pay my employees from my own account, but I always manage enough to send my payments to him. Rita left me more money than I could ever spend. Without Rita and Mr. B, I'm not sure where I'd be today.
It takes me three trips up the stairs to deliver all my bags. You'd think all the walking and taking the stairs repeatedly would shrink my fat ass, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. With that thought I’m reminded of the stranger’s deep voice telling me about the boy caught staring at my behind. I scoff but think it's big enough to draw attention and I guess public comment.
After putting everything where it belongs, I collect all the cloth bags and the few from my previous trip. I place them on the small table near my door. Hopefully, I'll remember to return them in the morning.
Tired from the long day, I decide to make a simple dinner. I sit down and enjoy some mindless television as I eat, trying to blot the stranger’s comment from my mind.
A few episodes in, my phone vibrates with a notification. I grab it from the ottoman that doubles as a coffee table with the large tray on it.
The store’s Facebook account has a new follower.
Beau Winchester is now following you.
The picture that pops up is a blue Great Dane with one light blue eye and one so dark it almost looks black. His big droopy eyes give him a sad look while the sun shines down on his beautiful smooth coat, making it gleam. In the background of the picture is a large, grassy field. I can just barely make out a white split rail fence and a huge red barn. It’s a relief to see the large dog has room to run and play. Living in the city, it’s sad to see large dogs trapped in studio apartments. You can feel how much the person taking the picture loves this animal.
I click the picture to navigate to the page itself. Unfortunately, it's marked private. I can only see a few images none of which are depicting a person, but it says Beau lives in Lake Tahoe and is twenty-nine years old. The profile doesn't raise any red flags, so I go back to the store’s page and see it's been quiet all week. I add a quick post.
Status Update:B B & B is feeling: useless ??
Don't worry guys! Jess and all her coffee making glory, will grace us with her presence tomorrow morning!
I closethe app and check my emails. No new book requests for our monthly book club, but I do have a few book suggestions from my favorite book blogger. I jot down the’ names of the authors and their book titles to add to my TBR pile. I drop my phone back down and it immediately starts buzzing again. I snatch it up and see another Facebook notification.
Beau Winchester posted on your page:
Do you offer a book club?
I click the reply button.
We do have a book club that meets once a month. Our next meeting is this Wednesday, and we're set to discuss Fifty Shades of Grey written by E. L. James. You're welcome to join us.
I laugh to myself, thinking no man named Beau would dare come to a book club where FSoG is the topic.
The screen of my phone lights up
Beau Winchester replied:
I guess I could do a re-read. What time Wednesday?
My mouth falls open in shock. Not only does he openly admit to reading it, but he's also willing to discuss it with a bookclub.
I reply.
Seven o'clock
Then drop my phone down still stunned.
The next morning,as I leave my studio, a fluttering of paper draws my attention. My heart rate picks up as I near it. It wasn't there last night. Someone was here while I was sleeping. Did someone break in?
