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“My crazy mother is up to her dramatics again. Nothing out of the ordinary. I'm just bored I guess. I am surrounded by all these gorgeous men at the pool everyday and have no one to ogle them with.” She pouts.
“What a hard life that must be.” I joke, turning left and then immediately right, quickening my strides as I go.
“Don't play. It really is the most unfortunate situation. Please tell me you will come up for a weekend. You have to.” She pleads.
“I don't know. I would love too but my schedule is packed this summer. I am working six days a week between the club and the studio.”
“Don't give me your excuses.” She immediately cuts me off. “Promise me you will work it out.” She says. “Promise me.” She injects when I start to protest.
“Fine. I will talk to Josh tomorrow and see what I can do.” I huff, knowing there is no way she is going to let me off the phone until I agree.
Squealing into the phone, she makes me promise to call her first thing Monday and let her know what weekend I will be coming. While I really can't afford to take off work, or a plane ticket for that matter, I also can't deny that getting away for a weekend to be pampered at a resort with my best friend might be just the thing I need to pull me out of my Bentley fog.
“I will.” I agree, coming to a stop just outside of the dance studio. “I gotta go though. I have a class to teach this morning. Call you later. Love you.”
“Love you too.” She sings into the phone before disconnecting the call. I quickly locate my keys and unlock the front door to the studio. Stepping inside into the eery quiet, I consider going into Patty's office to use the computer but decide that I need to grab a quick bite to eat first and immediately set off to the little coffee shop across the street that sits on the corner.
Ten minutes later, I arrive back at the studio, fresh cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin in hand. Setting my things down on the front counter, I jump slightly when my cell phone buzzes to life next to me. Looking down at the screen, I lose my breath when the name flashing across the screen is one I never expected to see there. Bentley.
Picking up the vibrating device, I stare at the screen, realizing almost instantly that he must have programmed his number into my phone sometime last night as it was not in there before. I didn't even think to give him my number, let alone get his. Why would I need it considering our arrangement?
Determined not to go back on what my original plan was, as much as it guts me, I let the call go to voice mail. Not checking it any further, I leave it on the counter and grab my coffee and muffin before heading back into Patty's office. I use the office phone to let her know that I stayed at Lo's, not wanting to go into any details regarding Bentley, and that I have arrived at the studio, before focusing my attention on finding a plane ticket to Vermont.
Finding a relatively inexpensive round trip flight two weeks from now, I scribble down the dates on a post it and set it to the side. I am almost positive that Patty will have no issue with me taking that Saturday off and I can't see Josh complaining too much considering the only day I would need off at the club would be Sunday. While I wasn't really thrilled about the idea an hour ago, seeing Bentley's name come up on my phone has somehow made the time away seem a little more urgent.
Patty finally arrives just after ten thirty and the rest of my morning and early afternoon is spent teaching a class very similar to the ones I took growing up. It's bittersweet being here. On one hand, I get to teach the one thing I love more than anything in the world. On the other, it's heartbreaking that I will never move past the teaching part.
By two o'clock, I am exhausted. I didn't get nearly enough sleep last night and the effects of my morning coffee have long since disappeared. I had planned on waiting for Patty to drive me home rather than having to take a cab all the way out of the city but the thought of staying here for another four hours seems torturous and as such, I finally cave.
It isn't until I step outside to wait on the cab that I look at my cell phone again. When I see that Bentley not only called me once but three additional times, my heart immediately picks up speed. But to my surprise, he left no voice mails. You would think if he was going to call me multiple times he would at least leave a message but nope. Nothing.
I glance up from my place in front of the studio to make sure my cab isn't here. With so many cars out and about, it's hard to tell if one stops or simply drives on by. Realizing that no one is waiting for me, I glance back down at my phone just as it begins vibrating in my hand. Bentley's name once again flashing across the screen.
Not sure what else to do, I simply watch it as it goes crazy in my hand. What is with this man? What part of one night and leave me alone did he have trouble grasping. “Aren't you going to answer that?” A deep voice washes over me and I immediately look up to find Bentley standing just feet in front of me.
Clicking off his phone, mine immediately stops buzzing in my hand. He slips his into his pocket and then studies me for a long moment. “If I didn't know any better, I would say you are avoiding me.” He smirks, closing the gap between us until he is standing directly in front of me.
“If I didn't know any better, I would say you are disregarding the terms of our agreement.” I say, meeting his gaze, unable to control the smile that pulls up my mouth because of the way he is looking at me.
“I see.” He says, reaching into his pocket. “Well, I only thought it right to make sure you got home safely and to return these to you.” He smiles wickedly as he pulls out a piece of black fabric from his pocket and dangles it on his index finger in plain view of anyone who cares to look.
“Bentley.” I cry, snatching my panties out of his hand. “What the hell is wrong with you?” I laugh, quickly shoving the fabric into the small confines of my clutch purse.
“What kind of man would I be if I kept what was not mine?” He asks, his smile growing wider.
“Always the gentleman.” I tease, fighting against my own smile.
“Have dinner with me.” He says, a statement rather than a question. Just as the words leave his lips, my cab pulls up behind him.
“I'm sorry, I can't.” I say, stepping past him. Turning back towards him just as I pull the cab door open, I can't help but notice the amused smile still stretched across his impossibly handsome face. It's like this is somehow a fun little game we are now playing and yet, I know in the end I will lose.
“We had a deal Mr. Reed. I would appreciate it if you would hold up your end of the bargain.” I remind him, nodding my head as I climb into the backseat of the cab and ramble off Patty's address. I can't help but glance back at him just as the cab pulls away only to see him still smiling that infuriating smile, his eyes still locked firmly on me.
