“They looked like someone just pissed in their cereal.” Beau laughs.
Shrugging, I pick up my drink just as the waitress brings us our food. “They needed to hear it. Nobody likes a gossip.”
Beau thanks the waitress for our order and digs in. “Says the girl who knows pretty much everything going on with her siblings.”
“That’s expected.” I build my fajita taco. “Siblings know each other’s dirt. It’s like a law or something.”
He laughs as he takes another bite and almost chokes.
“See what happens when you’re a smart ass. Next thing you know you’ll be slamming down the check and marching out of the restaurant in a fit.”
He takes a drink to get his coughing under control. “Don’t say funny shit when I’m eating and I won’t almost die.”
“Dramatics don’t look good on you, Beau.” I take a bite of my food and it’s even better when it’s fresh from the kitchen. Don’t get me wrong, I love eating in the comfort of my home when we get takeout, but this is so good. We also never run out of salsa.
His margarita is gone and he’s switched to water. It’s a good thing, too. When I said to make it strong, they did. There’s no way in hell I’m driving anywhere.
“So, what do you want to do when we leave here? The night is still young.” He waggles his eyebrows up and down.
“We’re in Asheville, there isn’t much to do. We can get ice cream, go to the park, or go home and watch a movie.” I take another bite and swallow before adding, “Those are the picks. Not much to do in a town this size, and I don’t really feel like going to Out of the Ashes.”
“Me either,” he agrees. “We’ll figure it out.”
This is one of the things I love about him. He asks for my input and doesn’t assume I want to do something. If I don’t know…he’s okay with that. It’s the way we’ve always operated.
He was right of course. Nothing changed in our friendship when we admitted we had feelings for each other. If anything, it’s brought us closer. There’s a deeper level of comfort we haven’t felt before. Like we can finally be ourselves around each other. It’s refreshing in a way I never thought possible. No wonder nothing ever worked out with guys I’ve dated. They aren’t him.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” Beau grabs his napkin from his lap and rubs it over his chin. “Do I have something on my face?”
“I’m only admiring the view.”
“That was cheesy as hell, even for you.” He shakes his head and keeps eating. I swear he doesn’t take the time to appreciate his food. He inhales it like he’s never eaten a day in his life.
I on the other hand like to take my time. He gives me crap for being a slow eater, but I don’t care.
“Yeah, yeah.” I wave away his comment and glance down at my plate of food. I’ve barely made a dent in half of it. “I think I’m going to need a box.”
“I’ll get one. Hang tight.” He leaves the table in search of our waitress.
I can’t help watching him walk away. The way his jeans hug his butt in just the right way. The way he’s attentive to what I want or need. What’s not to love about him? Being able to show my feelings in the open is freeing in a way I never thought it could be.
twenty
. . .
beau
It’sway too damn hot to be outside doing this. Why Piper felt the need to do the outside filming today, I’ll have no idea. Actually, I do know. It’s the only way we’ll avoid Pierce. Because she doesn’t know that he knows what we’re doing. Keeping this secret from her is eating at me.
“No, not like that.” Piper swipes at my hand and wine sloshes over the side. Please don’t be on my white shirt. I didn’t bring anything to change into. A quick glance down shows no red stains. Thank God.
“What do you mean not like this?” I lift the glass in question. “There’s only so many ways to hold a glass of wine.”
All she does is laugh. I don’t see what’s so funny. It’s not like I’m a huge wine drinker. Half the time when we’re at my house, we drink out of mason jars. They were cheap when I bought my house and needed glasses. I’m pretty sure she has some of them at her house.
“Just be a little gentler with the glass. You don’t have to hold onto it for dear life.” She lifts a second glass. Her fingers oneither side of the stem. It’s delicate. “I’m not saying it has to be a dainty hold, but at least don’t look like you’re about to snap it in half. It ruins the vibe I’m going for.”
“Which is what?” I glance around me to see if anyone is coming. I don’t want her brother to catch us because he’ll act like he didn’t know anything about it. “I’m not sure I’m the right person to capture the vibe.”
