Page 34 of Beautiful Deceit
I tell Jess, motioning for her to leave the flowers, “I'll handle the ugly mess, don’t worry.” Jess remains silent as she motions at Anna to go into the store. I give Anna the keys to the door, as she steps in front of me. She opens it, stepping inside without a word.
Jess looks pointedly at me, "Sam, you should tell someone. I can tell they freaked you out. Should we call the police?" Her eyes search mine for answers. I'm not willing to give any, so I try to pacify her.
"They're just flowers, Jess. I'll get rid of them. Someone probably just got them on sale and left them as a joke." My excuse is lame. She looks at me with raised brows, but I continue on with the explanation, "You know I've been planning on upping the security ever since that woman came in before close. I'll make some calls today and see about getting cameras installed. Sound good?" I hope that appeases her, for now at least.
"Yeah Sam that does sound good. But---you know you can talk to me? Right?” I nod my head, but she continues. “I mean, I know I'm busy with Tim and classes and stuff, but if you ever need anything, Sam.” She pauses then says with a bit more force, “I'm here. You're one of my best friends, you know that right?" Her words ground me.
I'm not alone. I'm the lost little girl who just lost her only parent. I’m not trapped with a tormenter as my only legal guardian. I'm no longer devastated from the loss of my mother, nor do I apologize for my stepfather’s actions.
"Thank you, Jess. I feel the same way. I'll take care of this, don't worry." I smile to show her that I'm fine. Silently, I vow that I will be fine.
I know I need to get a handle on this. I also need to look and see if there is a card, like before, or something that might prove my suspicions. I turn to the mess still in Jess’s hands. Staring at it, I motion for her to hand over the offensive flowers.
Beau interrupts the exchange, as he walks up to the store front.
"Sam, what's up?" I take the time to study him. He’s holding two insulated cups with his ever-present cap pulled low, shading the eyes I know are green and probably a little squinted in curiosity right now. His strong, clean-shaven jaw looks even more pronounced, as it's one of the only features I can see.
His full lips curve when he realizes I'm staring.
"What ya looking at Sweets?” He asks playfully. The arrogant charm I've witnessed a few times, now on full display. He looks down, seeing the brown cone of a bouquet, the flowers hidden from his sight, “What you got there, Sammy?” His tone remains playful but holds a little edge.
I exaggerate an eye roll and address his first statement, ignoring the second, "Like you need more compliments. I don't think your ego will fit under that silly hat much longer." I say matching his playful demeanor.
"You’re lucky my hands are full, or I'd take you over my knee," he says jokingly, but the images it creates is anything but funny.
The atmosphere shifts.
Beau's voice is low as people move pass us, "Not so much of a punishment, huh Sammy?" My cheeks heat with the realization I've been caught. I look towards Jess to see that her worried expression has been replaced with a cheeky grin. Did she just hear him? She winks and walks inside.
I whisper a reply to Beau, being careful I’m not overheard, not even by Jess as she leaves, "More intriguing than threatening coming from you."
Beau moves closer, and I feel his lips touch my ear, "My sweet Sammy, your naughty is showing." He's still holding the two cups in each hand. We’re barely touching, as close as we are, though my body is straining to get closer.
I feel the hard bill of his hat touch my shoulder when he plants a kiss on my neck. He follows the kiss with a small bite. His hat is blocking his action. Anyone near by might view us as sharing an intimate embrace, rather than him teasing me. I’m becoming a fan of the hat.
The store’s door is shoved open, and it bounces on the hinge, causing a loud thwap.
My head snaps around to see a harried-looking Anna watching us. She looks over my shoulder at Beau with a deep frown that warps her face out of its perfect proportions. I do the same and see him adjusting his hat with a forefinger while holding the cup, obscuring his face. What the hell? Is he embarrassed? I’m confused, because he started it. So why is he the one burying his head in the sand?
Aggravated at the interruption and Beau's unease, I snap, "Did you need something Anna?"
Her back in place, she says in an overly sweet voice, "I just wanted to make sure you didn't need any help.” She looks over at Beau, “I mean, I'm sure you were going to toss those just like the last ones." Her face is a mask of innocence, and it takes me a moment to realize what she’s on about. She thinks she's gotten me in trouble, either by throwing his flowers away or pointing out that I received flowers that weren't from him.
"Thanks anyway Anna, but I've got everything well in hand." I say through my teeth. I don’t want to play games today, especially with her. Plus, she reminded me of those damn flowers.
Ignoring my ire, she continues in her bubbly tone, "Oh, well okay, just trying to be useful." She is working on my already fried nerves.
As soon as the door closes, Beau lets out a laugh, "Well in hand? That you do Sweets. That woman is a piranha, but she has no idea you're a shark." Beau kisses my temple, "Now what's this business about these flowers?" He raises one eyebrow.
I shake the brown cone I have had in my hand since Jess handed them to me, "Believe me, I wish I wasn't." I show him the rotting center of the bouquet as I imagine hundreds of tiny spiders spewing from the dead blooms. I nearly gag from the image and the wafting scent of dead flowers. Beau looks equally disgusted.
"I need to check if there's a card," I mutter sullenly. Beau forces a cup in my unoccupied hand and pulls the flowers from me, getting a good look inside.
"When did these come Samantha?" He asks sharply.
"This morning."
"There have been others?” Picking up on Anna’s tattling.
