Page 20 of The Baby Bargain
"I'm a classy bastard." Wes takes a long sip of his white wine. Sighs like he can't get enough.
"His girlfriend is into wine," I say.
Ariel's gaze flits from me to Wes then back to me. "What's she like?"
"Smart," Wes says. "Cute. Nervous. Thick glasses." He winks at Ariel. "Always dig a smart girl with glasses."
She looks me in the eyes, asking if he's serious.
He is. In his way. I nod.
"Too bad you and I were never single at the same time." Wes raises his glass. Winks at Ariel. "Or we really could have had some fun."
"I'm not sure Forest would allow that." Her smile softens. Her shoulders fall from her ears. "He's a little—"
"Over-protective older brother. I get it." Wes reaches to me and musses my hair. "They're difficult."
She laughs. "They are." She turns to Forest, whispers something in his ear.
He whispers back.
She nods. "Excuse me. I, um, I need to make a call."
"Me too." It's a bad lie, but I don't care. I need to talk to her alone.
Her lips purse. This isn't the outcome she wants. But I don't care about that either.
"I'll walk with you," I say.
"Actually…" She looks to Forest for help.
He nodsit's okay.
She turns to me. "We…"
I motion to the doorlet's go. Cut through the cozy tables. This is a cute place. A Mexican restaurant in the trendy Abbot Kinney area. It brims with homey charm. Streamers in white, green, and red. Flower print vinyl table-clothes. Cactus string lights.
Ariel follows me to the street.
The sun sinks into the horizon, streaking the sky orange. It's something out of a postcard. Quiet street, smell of salt, low roar of the ocean.
Or maybe that's my imagination. We're half a dozen blocks from the beach. And since when do postcards include smell or sound?
"Chase, I, uh… I'm not really good with subtlety. So I'm just going to say this." Ariel turns her body toward mine. She takes a step toward me. So there are only six inches between us.
Fuck, there's something about the heat of her body. She smells good. Like tangerines. "Yeah?"
"I have other people I can ask. For help. But I trust you. We've been friends a long time. You've always looked out for me." Her voice gets serious. "I understand you're friends with Forest."
"He's been there a long time."
"He's not here to help me. He wants to ask a work favor."
"Oh?"
"I'm not supposed to tell you. He… he's like you. Proud."
I chuckle.
