Page 54 of Grudge Puck
“I don't know. She's definitely in a hurry for something.”
“Well. Anyway.” Beau stared at me like he wanted to drink me up. His eyes slaved over my breasts and trailed up and down my body and, at last, he gave a soft exhale. “Wow, you look lovely, Camille.”
“Thank you,” I said quietly. I fought the urge to reject his compliment. Instead, I think I probably turned red from embarrassment. Next to Beau? I looked like a scrub. I hadn't dressed up for a fancy dinner … I'd dressed to get Beau hurt.
Which, y'know, was exactly what I did.
Eep.
“And you look very handsome in your suit. And also very, um.” Tenderly, I touched my finger to his skin, just outside his sutures. “Bad-ass?”
He grinned. “Glad you think it's bad-ass and not disgusting.”
“Oh, it's that, too.” We both laughed. “But more on the bad-ass side.”
Beau watched as I finished my drink in a hurry.
“Ready to eat?” he asked.
“Sure. So where are you taking me?”
“Hey, I askedyouto think of where you wanted to go. You're the New Yorker—what's good around here? And don't be shy. You can pick some snobby French place if you want. Or, hell, some weird vegan restaurant.” He gently ribbed my side. “I'm up for anything.”
But I looked down and gave my outfit a grimace. “Would it be alright if we did something simpler? I don't feel dressed for something fancy. There's a diner nearby that I like. Everyone raves about their burger, fries and milkshake, and they've got options for me, too.”
Beau smiled. “That sounds amazing. Dream date, actually.”
I laughed. “You're such a guy, Beau.”
“Guilty as charged.” He stood and offered me his arm. “Shall we?”
I took his arm, and we left the bar and headed for the diner. The sun had set, but twilight kept the sky caught somewhere between day and night. Walking the city streets with my fingers wrapped snugly around Beau's bicep, I felt stuck between two states of mind. It wasn't all that long ago, after all, that I felt nothing but disgust and revulsion towards him.
But now, I understood how girls fell for Beau; I understood how easy it was to be seduced by his charm or his status. With me on his arm, I sensed his pride—that he was promenading me, showing me off to the residents of New York City.
It was easy to get swept up in the moment. To feel like we were more than just two old enemies from high school. Two old enemies who might not have anything more in common than some mind-blowing sexual chemistry. Chemistry so good that we were now, for whatever reason, both acting like we got along brilliantly.
At least I'm enjoying the delusion.
Chapter 17
Dark Side
Camille
We arrived at the diner and Beau opened the door for me.
The place was crowded and noisy, and the hostess politely informed us that they didn't have any available tables … but they didhave two open spots at the end of the bar.
“You good with that?” Beau asked.
“Sure.”
I noticed the young hostess peering at Beau curiously as she gathered a couple of menus for us. I wondered what might be going through her mind as she eyed the tall, handsome, muscular young man with the fresh stitches. The look on her face told me she couldn't figure him out—but if given the chance, she'd love to solve the mystery.
Nevertheless, she led us to the bar.
“So, are you in pain?” I asked him, gesturing at his sutured skin.
