Page 16 of A Merry Penthouse Christmas
We’re almost to the bridge. The park is a little busy, given the day with so many out and about doing shopping and enjoying the weather before it gets colder.
After a beat, Beau says, “I guess that’s a little sad to me. Not being close with your family. I’m closest with my brother, Bell, but I try to make regular contact with my folks and sisters too.”
“I’m sorry, you have a brotherBell?”
“Well, Bellamy.”
“Heis Bell andyou’reBeau? And you teased me about the Ariel and Sebastian thing?”
Beau laughs before suddenly freezing. “Shit.”
My first thought is whether he truly never realized theBeauty and the Beastconnection of their names, until I notice he is staring very specifically forward. “What is it?” I follow his eyeline, and while there are many people around, coming down from the bridge we are headed toward is a couple about our same age, a man and woman, with their own stroller and tiny bundle inside.
“That’s my ex.”
Chapter 5
BEAU
Thereareaboutfourtimes in my life when I was terrified to the point of fight or flight.
A very silly night playing graveyard games as a teenager when a friend spooked me enough to send me scurrying.
The day before my first-ever job interview, when I was so scared, I questioned my entire career choice—which admittedly sometimes I still do. But at least in that case I fought, even if I didn’t get the job.
The day Emily told me the baby wasn’t mine, and although I broke down in tears, I still count that as a fight, since I didn’t flee until after I told her it was over.
And two days ago when I walked in on Arik getting a blowjob and flew away from that scene as quickly as I could.
Today marks the fifth time, only I am not fleeing or able to fight. How can I do either when Emily just made eye contact and our paths are on a collision course with nowhere for me to go but back the way we came from? I have no ammunition, but this is definitely shots fired from her side, because she is with our not-baby and the baby’s real father.
That’s when I remember the third option in the fight or flight scenario.
Freeze.
She’s almost to us, with recognition dawning on the face of her…boyfriend, I guess? When I feel Arik’s hand slip into mine.
I turn to look at him as he grins back at me and takes the latte from my other hand.
“Don’t hog it all now,pumpkin.” He takes a drink, and just as I see in my periphery that Emily has reached us, Arik hands the latte back to me and yanks me in by my collar for a kiss.
He tastes even more like pumpkin than my last gulp.
Arik is kissing me. Holy shit, he’s kissing me! I can taste him because his lips are on mine, and I am so shocked that my mouth hangs open enough for his tongue to slide between my teeth too. The kiss is swift but deep and so warming that it banishes all immediate chill around me.
If I had any remaining doubts that Arik swings both ways—and after seeing that blond on his knees the other day, I did not—they are long gone now, along with all possible resolve to keep my crush at bay, becauseholy crapis he a good kisser.
“Oh, um… hi, Beau! Funny running into you like this.”
Like this. Lip-locked with a gorgeous man, who is pushing a baby in a stroller just like Emily is. She knows I’m bi, but I doubt that makes this any less shocking.I’mshocked. Ibarely register her obviously awkward and surprised greeting for several seconds.
I know why Arik kissed me. He knows how hurt this woman left me when she cheated. But damn does part of me wish it was more than just pity.
“Emily. Hi! Sorry. Funny, yeah. Um… this is my—”
“Boyfriend. Arik Anders.” He extends a hand to her. The baby girl is adorable, but still not any more mine than Bastian is.
Not that I want Bastian to be mine!
