Page 66 of Beau Pair
“Most of the time, baby. Most of the time,” Zoe informs her.
“Well, our book is almost finished, and Zoe’s moving in with me. What else?”
I freeze, my mouth stops mid-chew, and I stare at Dolly.
“The party,” Zoe adds.
“Oh yes. The party. We’re throwing a Halloween party. You’re invited, of course,” she says, as if she hasn’t just said she’s taking a big step with a girlfriend she barely knows.
“You’re moving in together?” I ask.
Dolly purses her lips and tries to smile.
“She asked me last night,” Zoe says, rubbing a hand on Dolly’s thigh.
“Isn’t it a little too soon?” I ask, and I immediately get three pairs of eyes glaring at me.
“You’re one to talk,” Dolly says.
“Well, that wasn’t planned, though,” I say.
“Neither was this,” she bites back.
“I’m happy for you. I just don’t want you guys rushing into anything.”
I know I’ve fucked up by just spewing the first thing that came to my mouth, but since I did and I can’t take it back, I have to at least try to explain where I’m coming from.
“You haven’t seen me criticize how fast you’re moving with Beau,” Dolly huffs.
“We’re not moving fast. We’re just dating,” I say, and now I know I’ve fucked up. I snap my head to Beau and reach for his knee. “That came off wrong.”
Beau smiles and shakes his head.
“God, Gordon. Sometimes you can be a real twat,” Dolly shouts, and gets up. She storms off throwing “fuck’s sakes” left, right, and center.
Zoe follows her and leaves me alone with Beau and Elsie.
“That’s some skill pissing three people off all at once,” Beau says, his face unreadable, and I close my eyes to take a deep breath.
His hand reaches for my neck, and I open them again to look into his beautiful brown eyes.
“I’m fine. I know what you meant. I was just kidding,” he says.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “You know I love you, right?” He smiles and nods. “I’ve just seen her rush into things before, and she comes out the other side depressed and heartbroken.”
Beau leans in to give me a kiss, and Elsie requests a kiss too, so he obliges her.
“I know you’re just looking out for your friend,” he says.
“Yeah,” I mumble.
Beau tickles Elsie’s neck, and she laughs so loud it’s impossible not to be affected by it.
“I trust you. Do you trust me?” he asks me.
“Of course,” I tell him.
“Then trust me that Zoe is the best thing that will ever happen in Dolly’s life, just like I trust you that Dolly is the best thing that will ever happen for Zoe,” he says.
