Page 42 of Beautiful Deceit
"It was almost as nice as watching them come off," I shrug like its no big deal then sit so I can slide on my black knee-high boots.
Looking outside, I say, "We'll hit the store first if that's okay?" Beau's handsome face is already covered by his hat, so I can't see his eyes when he nods in agreement.
I wish I knew who he was hiding from. I hate that he always covers his gorgeous face when we aren't alone.
"You ever think of switching it up?" I motion to the the ball cap on his head.
"It's the only hat I own," he answers simply with no further explanation.
It's almostfour when we make it to the store. Jude is filling orders, and Molly is ringing them up. Most of the seats are filled.
I spot Anna guiding a young man to the comic area, and the new girl I hired is standing at the register. When the door chimes from our entry, everyone but Jude, whose back is turned, looks over.
Anna looks me up and down, noticing my change of clothes I'm sure. I flush.
Beau places a hand on the small of my back but doesn't urge me forward.
I look over at him, "I'm just gonna run and get my things. I'll be right back. You want a coffee or anything?" I motion to Jude, where I think Beau would be safest.
"Maybe. One of those drinks I tried the other week was really good, but I don't know what it was called to order it."
"Just ask Jude. He'll probably remember, or you can describe it to him." He drops a kiss on my temple in full view of everyone, making my belly flop.
"Okay Sweets," he says walking away like the PDA was no big deal. I'm a puddle of mush.
I rush to the back and retrieve my ledger and a few other files. I've only been gone minutes, but Anna has already made it to Beau, and her hand is resting on his arm. He's looking away, but he obviously hasn't moved away or asked her to stop.
I stand and watch for a few seconds as she tries to peer under his hat, even with his face turned away from her.
"You look ju-just like, like Chris Huntington. OH MY GOD!" She shouts frantically, "Oh my god, oh my god. Is it you?” She moves closer into his space, “God, I love you! I've seen everything, even the smaller stuff. Oh my god, oh my god!" She chants, jumping up and down. Her finger nails claw into his arm.
Everyone in the store is now staring at them. A few gasps fill the room.
"Anna? His name is Beau.” Beau’s shoulders slump, “You're causing a scene." His head falls forward and his hand comes up to cover his face.
Anna looks back and forth between the two of us, "You don't know?" She gasps, "How can you not know?" She laughs, "You've been hanging out with one of the biggest movie stars there is and you're clueless.” She pauses for a second and laughs even harder, her hand waves at me, “Oh Sam, get a life." She continues to giggle, but then looks at me with pity, "Oh wait, that means---." She puts her hand to her mouth and her brow furrows, "That means he never even told you his name. That means he didn't want you to know his name."
My face reddenswith embarrassment
"Knock it off, Anna. I know his name!”
"Me? Tell Beau to knock it off.” She gestures to Beau who is currently standing as still as a statue. “The jokes on you Sam, because not only do you not know his name, but you've been chasing after an engaged man."
My mouth drops open. I look at Beau, but he hasn't said a word to defend her claims.
Anna pipes up to make things worse, "And you gave me a hard time for trying to talk to him. Turns out we aren’t that different, you and I!”
The room is silent. Everyone is waiting to watch this train wreck unfold, but I won't give them the satisfaction.
I stand tall and announce, "I’m done. It’s over!” I look pointedly at Anna. “Anna.” I motion for her to go to my office. I then take a deep breathe and announce, “I'm sorry for the disruption. Please enjoy your drinks. This afternoon it’s on the store."
I walk to my office amid an explosion of whispers.
I can't even process what just happened. My mind starts to replay the incident and as it all unfolds, it makes more sense. He said more than once how much he wanted normalcy, how he was hiding from everyone. Was he only my friend because I didn't know who he was? My thoughts spiral. He's engaged. I enter my office on that thought and close the door feeling the heartbreak I was hoping wouldn’t happen so soon.
Anna attempts to apologize, but I meet her pleads with a harsh truth, “Your behavior today and in the past has shown me that you cannot work in a professional environment. I don’t know what has gotten into you, but you can’t act this way. This is my store, my life, and business. You just announced to everyone, including my customers, personal aspects of my life outside of work.”
“But he was tricking you---,” Anna tries to say.
