Page 15 of Bella and Her Beast
“Girl, he’s not here yet? It’s about to start,” Joy says, when she comes outside to check on me.
Feeling like my emotions just went on a roller coaster ride, I concede defeat and turn to go inside. “Yeah, I guess he’s not coming,” I sadly say.
Joy places her arm around my shoulder and pulls me in for a sister hug.
Tears threaten and the burning sensation arises but is quickly interrupted when a familiar voice calls out to me.
“Bella,” the smooth and dark timbers of his voice lock me in place, and I slowly turn to see him making his way to me.
“Whoa, you weren’t lying sis. He is an entire meal,” Joy says, her eyes fixated on the vessel in front of us.
He takes long strides to get to his destination and I must admit, he is all Joy said plus dessert. Something about the way the color of his eyes play off the background of his black shirt is getting me all warm inside.
“Hi, you made it,” I stammer out. His cologne captures me hook, line, and sinker.
“Hi, Mr. Devereaux. I’m Joy,” my friend happily announces, making their formal introduction.
“Joy, it’s great seeing you here outside the library. You both look beautiful this evening.” He takes a single rose and hands it to Joy, who blushes at his kind gesture. “This is for you, Bella.” He hands me a small box.
“Greyson, you didn’t have to do this,” I reply. I step off to the side so the other patrons can get in while I unwrap my gift. “Charles Dickens? Really? A first edition? Oh, I can’t possibly—”
“Please, accept it. It was in our family library along with a host of others, but I felt this one would like to have you as its owner,” he responds.
“Oh, thank you. I would very much take care of this. I have a special location to keep it in my home. Perfect humidity and no one will ever touch it. Thank you, again. This is perfect.”
“You’re welcome.” He stares at me and pushes my hair behind my ear.
I blush and maintain my gaze.
“Okay, this is getting a little hot and steamy book nerd variety for me. Can we go in, please?” Joy says.
“After you, Joy and Bella.” He holds the door open, and we enter the spot. We follow Joy to our table, since she knows where it is, and she places her flower into an empty glass on the table and asks for some tepid water and napkins to keep it moist until she gets home.
“Hi, welcome to Starwood. What can I get you guys to drink?” Our server asks. She pauses when she sees Greyson. “Especially you, Mr.”
“Dang. Do you not see they are on a date? Save your come hither look for the next blow Joe that comes in,” Joy says. Her tone laced with annoyance.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to assume.”
“Well, you know what they say about assuming things.” Joy is never one to tone down her words. She is as blunt and honest as they come.
“It’s okay, Joy,” Greyson interrupts. “Please open a tab and bring the ladies whatever they want. I’ll have a beer in a bottle.”
“I’ll have a Long Island Iced Tea,” I add.
“Make that two and I will be checking for spit,” Joy says.
Greyson chuckles and shakes his head. Meanwhile, I slug her in her arm. She makes a situation go from zero to one hundred real quick.
“I’m sorry about my friend. She’s very outspoken at times,” I say to Greyson.
“It’s okay. I know a few people like that. In fact, Russ was once like that. I know he seems refined and all, but I wouldn’t attempt to cross him.”
I laugh because even though he was gentle; he was a bit brazen when I showed up at the house. Likely because it was unexpected.
“Please extend my apologies to him for showing up unannounced.”
“All is forgiven, Bella. You know, that’s an interesting name. Were you named after someone?”
