Page 25 of Beautiful Deceit
I spendextra time making myself look my best the morning of the date. The weather is starting to cool, but it's still nice enough for me to wear one of the few dresses I own. The hem hits around my knee and flatters my shapely legs, I twirl a little in front of the mirror feeling almost giddy. I look down at my neckline with a frown, then twist a light infinity scarf over my head to hide my cleavage. I swear I can wear a turtleneck and still show cleavage. I grab a moto jacket and some ankle books on my way out, fitting them on in a bit of a hurry. I am running a little behind.
I start to rush down the sidewalk, but slow down after worrying about getting sweaty. This is all too much, I think as I turn the corner to the store.
Jess whistles when she sees me, "He isn't gonna know what hit 'em."
I smile and curtsy, "Why thank you."
Anna doesn't acknowledge my outfit choosing just to smile at the both of us.
Jess tells Jude about the date before she leaves. She makes him promise not to let me back out. Truthfully, I was thinking about it.
At four-thirty, I'm ordered to have a seat where Jude can keep an eye on me, in case I get cold feet. He is taking his promise a little far.
The door chimes,and the first thing I notice is a familiar blue hat. In the past two weeks, I've decided Beau may not be the friend is hoped he'd be. Friends don't let friends spill their guts and not talk to the person again. I turn and hope he doesn't notice me sitting near the coffee counter.
A few minutes pass, and I heave a sigh of relief. I really hope he’ll leave soon, before my date shows up.
I hear him speaking in low tones to George who points over to me. I shrink further into my seat. Shit, shit, just shit! George thinks he's being helpful when he tells Beau right where I am.
I slowly rise and excuse myself, “I have to use the bathroom.” Jude nods probably thinking I'm freshening up before Nate arrives.
I walk across the room slowly in order to keep my heels from clicking. It’s all for naught, because Beau strides right to me. Damn it, George. I stop mid step. My boot heel clicks loudly as it drops.
He looks me up and down. He closes the distance between us and smiles. I almost forget I trusted him with something very private, almost forget he hasn't acknowledged me for two weeks.
"Hot date?" he asks bending close and sounding like he knows the answer is a solidno.
"Yes," is my only response. It surprises him. He looks intently at me like he's trying to spot a bluff.
He doesn't say a word. He doesn’t need to.
A man walks up and introduces himself to me as Nate.
Inwardly I'm elated. I've managed to surprise him, even if it's only because he'd assumed I couldn't get a date.
Chapter 7
"You must be Samantha." I extend my hand out of habit. Instead of a handshake he envelopes my hand and lightly squeezes.
"Jess has told me a lot about you. Are you ready to get going?" He looks over at Beau who is even closer than he was moments ago. Nate's brow furrows. He looks back at me, "Am I interrupting?"
I take a step forward, away from Beau, while pulling my hand out of Nate’s hold. I don't want him touching me; it feels odd, unwelcoming. It’s not a good sign for my date or for disproving my theory.
"No, we're done here. Let me just grab my bag and jacket." I plaster a smile on my face, while I walk to my office.
Beau follows me, "You don't know that guy, and you’re just going out with him?" His tone speaks to his knowledge of my situation. I don’t like it. I don't know why it would matter.
I reply with a tad of cynicism, "That's the point, right? I haven't done this in a while, but I'm pretty sure that's how dating works." I don't care that I am mocking his concern. He doesn’t have the right to be concerned after storming out of my apartment the way he did.
"Well how do you know he's not just spying on you?" he spews nastily.
"That's pretty low, Beau.”
He snaps his mouth shut.
"Shit," he curses. "I shouldn't have said that.”
I nod, "You're right. I haven't told anyone about that shit in years, and now you throw it in my face, for what purpose?" He doesn't answer, but I wasn't really expecting a reply.
