Page 17 of Beautiful Deceit
The door behind me opens and I step to the side, so whoever it is can reach Mrs. Wong.
A familiar voice says, "Order for Winchester?"
Beau is standing in front of me. I want to talk to him, but I'm not sure if I should.
His white t-shirt is molded to his back. The hem hits right below his belt, giving me a great view of his butt. The dark denim jeans are just tight enough to hint at the firmness. My eyes travel down, I see his bare toes peeking out from under his jeans. Even his feet are sexy. Where did that come from? I have never ever thought feet were sexy, but his are.
"You wear flip flops." I say incredulously, and his head turns in my direction as he smiles.
"Why yes, yes I do."
I shake my head, "Nobody wears flip flops in New York. You'll lose a toe."
He wiggles his toes saying, "Still all there." He's back to being playful.
I snap my mouth shut and bow slightly, being silly, "So they are."
"West," Mrs. Wong calls shrilly. I think she assumes it's my first name the way she always greets me with it. I step up and grab the large bag feeling like I need to explain why I have so much food.
"I'm buying dinner for Neil." I say accepting the heavy bag. "He eats---a lot," my face flushes at my stupidity. "I had to work unexpectedly today and didn't pack a lunch," I try again. He continues looking at me with a small smile on his face as his name gets called, and he moves up to the register.
I use his turned back to make a hasty retreat out of the restaurant.
I walk back to the store. I am such a spaz! Why, oh why, can't I shut up around him?
"Ughh," I say out loud and speed walk down the block.
I slam the door to the store open.
"Neil, here's your dinner," I grumble. He snatches up the two large boxes. It's almost seven and the store is dead, "You might as well eat and head home, or just take it with you. This place is empty."
"Are you sure? Cause I could really use the extra time to study," I almost laugh out loud at his comment, but keep it contained to just a smile. The door chimes, and I look up to see Beau striding in with an even larger bag.
When he sees me eyeing it, he shrugs, "I eat---a lot." He grins that crooked grin that makes me want to swoon.
Neil interrupts, "Soooooh." He stretches the word out, "You don't mind if I go?"
"No, like I said, it's pretty dead, so go on. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Maggie's sick so I told Zoe I'd cover tomorrow too." Neil nods bobbing his head on his skinny neck as he runs a thin hand across his brow.
"Sure enough, boss lady."
With that, he grabs his two boxes and strolls out the door.
"Not so much as a thank you. The jackass."
Beau laughs and takes his hat off, "So you want some company?"
His offer makes me smile again, "Sure, I was going to eat in the lounge, but since I let Neil go, I should stay where I can hear the bell. You wanna head upstairs to eat so everybody that walks by can't see us grubbin’?"
He answers by grabbing my bag and carries it, along with his, up the stairs.
"You want a drink? I'm not so good with the coffee machine, but I can deliver a mean bottle of water or soda from the employee fridge."
"Water sounds good," he calls down. "Do you have any forks? There isn't one in my bag."
I grab some water and a fork from under the counter before heading up.
Beau has three large boxes open on the coffee table in front of him. I grab a pillow off the couch and drop it to the floor, sitting opposite him.
