Page 26 of Once Upon a Beast

“Understandable. He looked at you like you were the sexiest thing he had ever seen. His mouth literally dropped open when he saw you. There was a look of desire, longing, need, even love, and just a hint of sadness in his eyes.”

“You got all of that when we walked out? How did you see all of that” I asked.

“Because I was looking for it. I wanted us to all get ready together because it was going to be fun. But also, because I wanted to see his reaction when he first saw you. He wasn’t going to be able to lie about how he felt.”

“How do you figure?” I crossed my arms and looked at Ara.

“The only thing he was thinking about at that moment was you. He was completely open to let his feelings and emotions come out front and center. And boy did he. At that moment, he wasn’t doing anything for show or to prove something. He was only looking at you and I got to see what the man really thought of you. I have to say, it was hot.”

“Ara,” I said and shook my head.

“You didn’t see it. I did. The man wanted you. It’s easy to see how he had a crush on you back then and still does now. The look, the feelings he was showing toward you, those don’t just come along or go away overnight,” Ara said.

“You’re not helping me.”

“Okay, then why did you tell me what happened and seek me out if you didn’t want my advice?”

“You hate Nic.”

“I don’t hate anyone. I strongly disliked him because he was an asshole to you. After seeing how he looked at you, and what you just told me, I’m starting to soften toward him.”

“That wasn’t what you were supposed to say. You were supposed to tell me I was crazy and that I needed to stop seeing things that weren’t there. You were supposed to tell me I must have misheard him or he was joking.”

“Maybe you didn’t, maybe he wasn’t.” Ara leaned her arm on the ledge and looked at me.

“What am I supposed to do with that?” I asked and turned to look out onto the city below. The lights of the city made it look magical as if anything could happen. It had been a magical night. I thought I was getting my friend back but now I didn’t know what to think.

“Anything you want. What do you want to do with it?” Ara asked.

“I have no idea. If he meant it, this completely complicates an already very complicated situation,” I could hear my voice rising as my frustration and anxiety grew. I took a deep breath to calm myself down. Ara waited

“Does it?” she asked.

“Of course, it does. Where is Ella? She would agree with me.”

“Ella is enjoying a lovely romantic evening with the man that she loves. You might take some cues from her.”

“I am not in love with Nic. He’s most certainly not in love with me.”

“He just has a long-standing crush on you. Sure. Totally different,” Ara said sarcastically.

“We don’t know if he even meant what he said.”

“Why would he say it if it wasn’t true? He might have been a dick in the past but he was never cruel. It does help make more sense as to why he stayed away from you. I hate to admit it, but I like him a bit more now.”

“You are not helping the situation.” I turned back to look at Ara who was smiling at me.

“I think this solves all your problems. You were worried how you were going to make everyone believe you were in a fake relationship. If you have feelings for each other, it’s no longer fake but very, very real. It makes it easier.”

“No, it only makes everything more complicated. It isn’t real. Eventually, the project will be off the ground and he won’t need me or the charade anymore. It will all end.”

“Who says it needs to? Who says it will?”

Her words were logical and if the roles were reversed, they were the exact things I would have said to her. Still, the words floored me. I had only concentrated on the negative of it all. I assumed that Nic was lying or joking or having a weird breakdown. I never allowed myself to think that he might be serious or what that would mean if he was.

I didn’t answer Ara but I knew she didn’t want or need me to. We stood there in silence. Eventually, Ara walked up to me, gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and said, “I’m going to go inside. It’s freezing and I want to get another drink before they close the bar down. I think my work here is done. But you stay. You have plenty to think about. You need to think about what you want and how you want this to go before you go back in and talk to Nic.”

“Ya, you’re right,” I stammered. “Thank you.”

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