She smiled. “He asked about you. He’s good. He’ll graduate in December.” He’d already shown he trusted her by sharing his past. How could Belle show Bently she believed in him? She inhaled shakily. “I know it would mean a lot to him if you came.”
He took another bite, chewed, and swallowed before replying. “I’ll be there. But is this your way of asking me on another date?”
“Is this a date?”
Bently coughed and grabbed his bottle of water before taking a sip. “Is TJ all set for college in the spring semester?”
“Yes. But you didn’t answer my question.”
“It’s a friend-date.” He smirked.
Belle shook her head with a smile.
Bently shifted to face her. “You feel like going with me to see Remy’s friend Emma and her band play at The Shipwreck Saturday?”
“For another friend-date?”
“Of course. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t spend time with you?”
She sipped the sweet wine before teasing him. “Sure, that sounds fun. But it’s so unlike you—giving me notice of more than a few hours.”
He shrugged and smiled. “Got to keep you on your toes. I can’t be predictable if I want to be spontaneous.”
She chuckled.
“It’s a Halloween costume party, by the way. I was thinking you could come as a sexy nurse.” He grinned.
She shook her head. “I bet you were.”
“Well, you could go as an angel and I could be the devil.” He winked.
“A little cliché, don’t you think?”
“What do you suggest?” He stuffed an olive into his mouth.
“I think you’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Ooh, intrigue. I love it. Okay, then I’m not telling you what I’m going as either.”
“I do love a good surprise.” She smiled, their eyes meeting. She hoped he really understood just how amazing he was.
He sighed. “Unfortunately, duty calls. I gotta get back to the office.”
She downed the rest of the wine in her glass and put it in the basket. “Thank you again for this.” She stood and helped him fold the blanket and put it on top of the picnic basket he was carrying. She slipped her hand in his as they walked back to the parking lot.
“You good to drive?” he asked.
“Yes, but I’ll probably go for a walk anyways before I go home. My shift doesn’t start until three today.”
He nodded. She looked up at him, her eyes darting to those perfect lips. She wanted another taste. Just one more moment where everything else disappeared and she could just be a woman, just experience. He leaned in slowly. She tilted her mouth towards him expectantly, willingly. He grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her in, kissing her forehead before he turned and walked away.
“See you Saturday at nine.” He waved.
Disappointment flooded her, clouded by confusion at all the mixed messages.
“It’s a date,” she called after him, hoping to gain some semblance of control.
He kept on walking towards his truck without looking back. He motioned goodbye to her again as he drove past.
She bit her lip. He’d kissed her—holy hell, he’d used those magic lips on her. But then he’d gone and distanced himself again. Or had he? The forehead kiss was sweet, undoubtedly so. But she’d wanted the heat. The line drawn between friend and something more was now so blurry she didn’t know where they stood.
He hasn’t ever done this as far as you know. Cut him some slack.
Could she be all in and risk the rejection she feared so much without any guarantee from Bently? It didn’t really matter if she was ready, because she was jumping over the line between friendship and more with two feet. No more living in the gray area. It was time she put it all on the line. But would he?
Chapter 26
Belle
Belle turned and checked her reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t easy finding a costume so last minute, but she’d finally settled on the perfect one.
A knock sounded at her bedroom door.
“Yeah?”
TJ peeked his head in. “You look awesome. Bently’s here.”
“Thanks.”
“He seems like a good guy,” TJ said, putting his hands in his pockets and looking off to the left.
“He does,” she agreed.
“He’s nothing like the other guys.”
The grim reminder from TJ was like a slap in the face of the last time she’d trusted a man, given him everything, just to have him use her and throw her out like garbage when he was finished.
She nodded, speechless. Her stomach knotted. Would Bently do the same? Was she stupid for assuming a leopard could change their spots? How could she be sure he hadn’t been with anyone else while she’d been spending time with him?
“You okay?” TJ asked.
She nodded and grabbed her leather jacket and whip. “I’m just fine,” she lied.
TJ walked down the stairs ahead of her.
Bently stood by the door. The tight material of his costume showed off every hard ridge of his muscles and there was no missing the bulge between his thighs. The black mask covered most of his face and matched his cape.
“Batman?”
“Wonder Woman.” Bently nodded his approval. “Looks like we are better matched than we thought.” He smirked. His white teeth flashed in contrast with the dark mask. “Damn, you look good enough to eat.”
“Hey, now! There are some things I really don’t need to know about my sister.” TJ made a disgusted face.
“Sorry, bro. You got your own hot date tonight, don’t you?” Bently asked TJ without shifting his gaze from hers as she approached.
That was news to her. She looked questioningly towards TJ. “You do?”
He shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. “Mark is coming over with a date and his sister, Cam.”
“If you’re thinking of trying anything—”
TJ held up his hands. “I promise I won’t.”
She shook her head, unease building. TJ was seventeen, but he had so much on the line.
“Condoms in the drawer of the bathroom sink.”
“It’s not like that.”
“Mm-hmm. You got too much to lose to go and knock someone up in high school. You better use your head. And
