Page 27 of Bella and Her Beast
“I’m afraid tomorrow will be too late. It must be tonight.”
“Are you on the run or something? I don’t want to get into any kind of trouble.” I smile knowing he is not that kind of person... I think.
He smiles in response. “No, Bella. It’s nothing like that. I found out something about my family I need to share with you.”
I walk with him toward the door, hoping to give us a little more separation from the patrons. “Look, I understand you have something you really want to share with me, but I just can’t at this moment. How about I call you when I get off and we can go over it then, okay?” I place my hand on his hard chest over his heart. It is thumping at an erratic rate, which makes me even more concerned, but when I gaze into his eyes the beating calms.”
“Okay. I’ll wait for your call.” He goes to place a kiss on my cheek, but I turn my head and he lands on my lips. For a few moments, we’re lost in the passion we share as out tongues twist and dance in each other’s mouth. When we break, he smiles, stokes my hand, then leaves.
I stand there and shake my head for a few seconds in a slight state of disbelief at what this day has brought.
“Is mystery man okay?”
“Girl, I don’t know. This whole day has been one long ass weird shit on a stick.”
Joy rubs my shoulder in a show of support. “Come on, I’ll help you finish cleaning and allow you to change your clothes before I leave.” She grabs the cleaning wipes and starts wiping down the tables and chairs while I take the cart to the supply closet. After which, I go to the office, grab my change of clothes, and head to the staff restroom. Sinking to the floor, I gain a few seconds of sanity while I undress. The air in here seems more fresh, untouched. It provides the cooling I need when I take the hooded part of the suit off my head. My hair is damp from sweat so I use my fingers to fluff it out to dry easier.
I rise to my feet to complete the removal of the spandex attire and place it in a separate bag. My makeup remover pads come in handy as I wipe away the silver face paint and glitter, revealing my natural, plain jane face. I use my face wash to give it a thorough cleaning, dress in my white button-down shirt, and black slacks. I slide on my flats, and I complete the change when I put on my black-framed glasses.
“It’s almost over. Nothing else could possibly happen,” I say to myself, as I check my reflection in the mirror. I leave and rejoin the living.
“Dang, that was fast,” Joy comments.
I take my seat next to her and toil with my necklace.
“Did you clean your jewelry, Bella? It looks like the center is shining brighter than normal.”
I look at the piece and notice it is more luminous than normal. “It could be the lighting. They changed the bulbs earlier this week.”
She looks at the bracelet Sam gave her last week on their date. “Oh, yeah, I see it in mine too.”
I roll my eyes and laugh. This was just an attempt for her to brag, and I fell for it. My mind is preoccupied with Greyson and his behavior, so it was easy for her to pull the wool over my eyes this time.
“So, you and the poet man going out tonight to the dance hall?”
“Nope. He cooked dinner and I will be going over there to spend a nice, chill, evening with him.”
“What’s he cooking? I may swing by to get a plate?”
“Um, he’s making me some shrimp etouffee.”
“Sounds delish. I’ll be by after I close up.”
“Uh, how about I bring it to your house tomorrow? Like I said, we are chilling tonight.”
“I didn’t know things were getting so serious. Okay, well, have a good night. We will talk about it all tomorrow.”
She leaves and I take a few minutes to enjoy the quiet of the evening. The kids have all gone home and there are only a few people present. I open the drawer and remove my next reading conquest.
* * *
Greyson
I thoughtI would be past this phase. By now, I imagined her getting to know me better and the curse I’ve been afflicted with. Instead, I’m back here parked between two buildings like a lonely ass creeper. My trip back to my ancestors' home in Florida didn’t hold any pleasant news. It’s not enough for her to like me, even if it’s a lot, or for us to even have had sex, no matter how great it was, or for her to just have feelings for me as she proclaims, she has to fall in love with me and say it. Tonight is the last full moon I will be able to live through before it becomes final by the next moon’s cycle.
I need to tell her what is going on, but she is the type that proof is better than any story. At this point. I have no other choice. Like clockwork, the lights flicker then dim on the inside showing that the building is now closed. Instead of me sitting and watching her as I have done so many times, I will just approach her and try to convince her to go home with me before the moon hits its highest peak.
“Bella,” I say, as I come to her.
