Page 74 of Beautiful Deceit
"Good, doll. Where's Beau?" He asks, still scanning the room.
"He's in the back, in my office. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him. Come on and I'll show you." I quickly inform a wide-eyed Erin that I'll be right back and lead him there.
I rap on the door gently then open it slowly, "Beau, Brian's here," I say then see him with the phone to his ear. “Sorry,” I mouth to him, turning to Brian to signal that Beau is on the phone.
"Yeah, yeah. He's here now. I'll call you back." He hangs up and greets us with a grateful smile on his face. He glances down seeing the bag Brian drops in an empty chair. "Thanks man," he says to Brian. Neither says anything else, and I get the feeling they are waiting for me.
"Ah well, I have some stuff to finish up so...." I trail off, making a weak excuse to leave.
"Thanks, Sammy. I just want to fill Brian in about last night. We'll be out soon," he adds almost apologetically.
"Alright then. Do either of you need anything, a drink?" I ask before leaving.
"We're good. Thanks," Beau replies.
It's an hour before they both walk out and head to the drink counter. Having them here feels nice, even if the reason they are isn't.
Beau walks over to me looking fabulous, even in days old clothes. It’s unfair.
"Sammy, I have a few things I need to do. Brian is going to stay here with you. He will take you home if I'm not back before you leave for the day." I look over at Brian who's made himself at home with a mug and a newspaper that must have been left on the table.
"That's not necessary. He doesn't need to sit here all afternoon."
Beau grunts and takes a sip from the white mug in his hand.
He looks at me from under his brow then says, "I want him to."
"Beau seriously, I'll be fine. There are cameras here, and I’m not alone. He doesn’t need to sit around here all day.”
He sets the mug on the desk and snaps, "He's staying. Please stop being difficult."
"I'm not trying to be difficult, you jackass," I whisper. "I was trying to make it easier on y'all."
"Please don't," He says and walks over to Brian who's shaking his head at Beau.
Beau grabs the bag from the chair next to Brain then holds his hand out. Brian sighs deeply, giving Beau a pointed look, but pulls a set of keys from his pocket.
Beau walks out without looking back. Brian makes eye contact with me, and I shrug as a reply. Beau must be having a hard time dealing with his longtime friend’s death. I can't be upset with him for being snippy. Brian shakes his head like he can hear what I'm thinking. He gives another deep sigh, and an annoyed sound comes with it.
I get back to work quickly, hoping to get out of here early so Brian doesn't have to waste his day.
At one o'clock, two men walk through the door asking for me by name. I am reminded that I called last week to add more security to the store.
"Shit."
Brain is at the register next to me before I can begin to explain what I'm looking to add. He listens while I struggle to order a few extra cameras inside and outside of the store. I glance at him a few times, aware that he likely has way more knowledge in what the store might need.
When I'm done, he asks if I mind him adding a thing or two. I tell him to do whatever he thinks will work best. He follows the men out to the truck, so they can gather supplies. I'm sure he wants to monitor what they're doing anyway. I find myself grateful that he is kept busy with them. His presence in the store, especially with him monitoring each person that comes in, wasn’t the most welcoming sight for customers.
I have dinner delivered around five, and to Brian’s bemusement, I also order food for the installers. I eat with Brian and the two men in the lounge, then watch the storefront while George, Jude, and Molly go to the back and eat.
I interrupt Molly once when I can’t figure out a complicated order, and she’s able to whip it up no problem. She doesn’t seem to mind though. My hope for leaving early is banished completely. As I stand at the register rubbing my feet, I text Jess asking if she will open tomorrow with the spare key I gave her.
Brian escortsme home after eight. I invite him up since Beau isn’t home, and I feel a bit more comfortable with him. I smile, thinking about how much I have improved. He accepts saying he'd like to talk to Beau anyway.
“He didn't answer his phone when I tried calling a while ago.”
As we settle in, I turn on the tv and hand him the remote.
