Page 21 of Bella and Her Beast
He takes another bite, rests his fork on his plate, and wipes his mouth with the linen napkin and places it back in his lap. “To be honest, there isn’t much to tell. I didn’t get to know my father, he passed before I was one. My mother raised me as a single parent until she passed shortly after my eighteenth birthday.”
Tears threaten when I hear that he has an orphaned past. “I’m so sorry for bringing up such sad memories.”
“Nah, don’t be. It’s those two events that made me who I am today. I believe a person's path is laid before we are even born. Only the Universe and Heavens can alter them.”
His eyes shimmer a dull light as if recalling a painful memory.
I quickly notice the lights springing to life as the sun sets. The coolness of the evening provides comfort and I am more relaxed.
We continue to talk over the rest of the meal. He goes in for a second helping while I try to not talk so I can finish my first. One thing I do know, he has a hearty appetite, and that is another turn on for me.
The attendees remove the plates, and small glass bowls are placed before us. Inside them, I find fruit flavored sorbet along with fresh sprigs of mint.
“Wow, this is one of my favorites,” I exclaim.
“Really, mine too. I used to sit out here as a young child and eat a whole container. It wasn’t my container, but I figured if it was in the freezer, it was fair game.”
I laugh at his story because that is such a kid thing to do. “I would hide in my closet with mine. A good book and sorbet, or ice cream, anything really.”
His eyes widen hearing the tale of my childhood escapades. “You seem like you had a very easy childhood.”
“For the most part. I, too, was raised by a single parent. My father was still around, but my mom, she never really loved my dad. She said she tried, but something just wasn’t there. Luckily for me, I had my grandmother and even my great grandmother to tell me stories of our family and my mother when she was a child.”
“Well, that’s another thing we have in common.”
“What’s that?”
“We were both raised by strong women.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I tip my wine glass to him in acknowledgement and swallow my beverage. Sitting the glass back on the table, I place my napkin on the bowl, signaling the completion of my desert. Soon he does the same, leaving us sitting here, passing glances at each other.
“The garden looks beautiful, decorated like this. Russ was telling me earlier that you had a lot of parties in your youth in this very yard.”
“I did. You know the usual birthday parties. Although, the graduation party was the last one.”
“I’m so sorry. I’m such a fool. I keep bringing up those painful times. Maybe I should just set up an Uber and leave.”
“No, seriously. I’m okay. It’s refreshing to have someone I can talk to about these things. Russ knows the stories, and I have had no one serious in my life in the form of female companionship.”
“You don’t have any male friends?”
“I have a few, but they’ve all gone on with their lives. Wives, children, jobs, and the like.”
“Same. I pretty much have Joy and my books. Although, some devilishly handsome young man recently gifted me a first edition Charles Dickens copy ofA Tale of Two Cities. I thought that was a very thoughtful gift and moved him up the friendship ranks.”
“What do you think of this devilishly handsome young man? Is he someone you could see yourself dating?”
That question puts me in a new and awkward position. Seeing how I’ve dated in the past, and got nowhere in a romantic sense with them, they never gave me the vibes he gives. I can’t very well say yes knowing my track record for more than a roll in the hay is non-existent, and he seems like the type to want it all. I cleverly deflect. “What about you? You’ve not mentioned any serious prior relationships. What’s the story there?”
“Oh, that’s easy. They weren’t you.” He stands and walks to me with his hand extended. “Will you dance with me?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
GREYSON
She looks to me and takes my hand, slowly rising to her feet. We lock gazes, and she allows me to lead her to the center of the garden. The songJapanese Denimplays and I can’t break this vision. Holding her body this close to me feels right. Better than any childhood crush, holding hands, and stealing that all important first kiss. No, this is man and wife forever vibes. She follows my lead effortlessly.
I brush her hair back from her face, tracing the delicate curves of her facial features, only stopping when I get to her lips. I lean forward and take them into mine. She takes a deep breath and holds it until I release her from mine.
