"Let's go watch the sunset. I love how well you can see it from the terrace here. My place is in the city, so there isn't much to see above the smog." He smiled and moved toward the back door.
Bethany grabbed a small plate and loaded it up with enough nachos for both of them before joining him. Her mom called after her to be careful, but she ignored it. Be careful of what? The mosquitoes?
Matt walked out and held the door for her, moving to the side and reaching to steal a nacho from her plate. They walked to the end of the terrace, two large lounge chairs sitting there, as if waiting on them.
"It's beautiful out here." The energy in Matt's voice dimmed, his spirit seeming much calmer than only moments ago.
She sat down and looked over at him; his expression was filled with peace.
"You okay?"
"Yeah." He smiled at her, reaching for the plate. "I just act like a spaz in front of my father. I hate the idea of wearing a suit and working in a high-rise building, no offense. I act like a goober, and he doesn't consider me when something comes open. He focuses on Damon and I have my freedom."
It made so much sense. She smiled at how well he'd played his cards.
Taking a small bite of the nacho in her fingers she looked out at the long stretch of property before them, the crimson sun tugging the colors of evening toward the edge of the world with its descent.
"I love accounting and don't mind the big buildings, I guess."
"I love drawing and painting. I'm the artsy one in the family. My mother was a painter, so at least I get it honestly." He shrugged and sat back, handing the plate back to her with only two nachos left.
She laughed and he turned his head toward her. "What?"
"You ate most of our snack. Pig."
He laughed loudly, the sound causing her to laugh too. Matt was exactly the kind of guy she could see herself being a sister to. Damon, on the other hand, was the farthest stretch of her sensual fantasies and going to be trouble, but Matt … he was a big kid. Good thing she still felt like one herself most days of the week.
"I was hungry." He reached over and pushed at her shoulder playfully. "Tell me for realz. Did you like Damon? Was he nice or rude as all get out?"
"He was professional, sort of. I mean he wasn't rude, but very much focused on business."
"What do you mean ‘sort of professional'? Did he hit on you?"
Her throat tightened, the idea of talking about the conversation with his real brother and Matt perhaps telling Damon that she'd mentioned it was more than she could bear.
Honestly, the conversation had turned her on, and more than once that afternoon she'd imagined him forbidding her to wear panties under her black pencil skirt. Her body burned at the idea of someone with the balls to demand something of the sort. A touch of jealousy hit her as she thought of the girl on the phone, sitting with Damon at a restaurant.
"Hello … earth to Beth."
"Sorry. He just had a conversation with his girlfriend that was … well, it was sexy."
"He doesn't have a girlfriend."
"I'm pretty sure he does." Bethany picked up a chip and offered him the plate, Matt grabbing the last one and eating it quickly, as if she might change her mind.
"Whatever you say, but I know my brother, and he's commitment phobic."
*
Bethany and Matt chatted for a few more minutes before dinner was served. She wanted so badly to ask him about his mom, as he had briefly mentioned her, but she let it slide. Now wasn't the time, in the middle of a family dinner. As soon as dessert was cleared, Matt stood and stretched, promising to come back the next night for dinner if they would have him. His father assured him he would.
Bethany stood and offered her bent arm to Matt. "Might I walk you to the door, sir?"
"Most certainly, my lady."
He took her arm and walked with her, skipping here and there to keep his mental act up. They stopped at the door and he turned to her, pulling her into another air-depleting bear-hug. She laughed as he sat her down and tipped a fake hat.
"Behave, as much as possible, and if not, pretend it's because you didn't take your meds." He winked and slipped out the door, Bethany thrilled to have him as an almost member of her family. He was just what she needed.
Damon on the other hand … wasn't.
Chapter 8
Bethany showered quickly before blow drying her long chestnut hair, the straightener a godsend in the Texas summer heat. She finished getting her hair to behave and put on a little makeup before walking into her adjoining room and getting dressed. A light blue suit with cream-colored lapels and lining made her look like a fashion icon from the fifties. It was elegant and yet demanded attention. She put on her favorite earrings and slipped on her cream-colored heels, the height of them making her leg muscles more apparent. She loved feeling pretty and yet couldn't seem to find a reason to dress up most days of the week.
Her internship was going to spoil her.
Bethany walked to the kitchen, Martha handing her a plate with two breakfast tacos and salsa on it. She moved the plate to her face and breathed in deeply, the smell divine. Her stomach protested loudly and she sat down at the bar for a quick breakfast. She didn't notice Martha watching her as she ate quickly, her concern not getting anything on her outfit.
"You haven't had the easiest of lives, have you miss?"
Bethany looked up, slowing her rapid chewing a little and reaching for the silky white napkin sitting beside her. She wiped her lips and reached to pick up her orange juice. She took a quick sip and sighed with relief, her gaze moving to the older Hispanic woman as she smiled.
"My father was a drug dealer and took everything from us when I was twelve. My mom's worked very hard to try and put food on the table, but most days it was just one meal. I'm not sure I want to get used to eating again, though."
"Why is that?"
"It hurts too much when it's gone again." Bethany rubbed at her chest, just above her heart. She had dealt with poverty so long that surely it was just around the corner in this new fairy tale and would jump out and cause everything to crash down around them.
"You don't have to worry about that, child. Mr. Bryant loves your mom."
"My dad said he did too. Who knows, right? Better to prepare for the worst and find yourself pleasantly surprised than hope for something that never comes."
"Well, I think that's pretty negative, but I'll keep my opinion to myself. You want another taco, sweetie?"
"No. I won't fit in my suit if you keep feeding me, Martha."
"Then we'll buy you another one."
The chef laughed and moved to busy herself with something on the stove as Bethany finished her breakfast, enjoying it, to the last bit that she licked from her fingers. It was weird to be in the midst of wealth after such a long life of wanting for everything.
One thing was for sure-Bethany would never end up with someone who was rich. They wouldn't have anything in common. While a wealthy guy might be great for entertainment and sex, chances of him understanding her were slim. She couldn't shake the image of Damon from her thoughts, angst pressing against her at the idea that her new stepbrother was becoming her go-to fantasy.
"I need meds. I'll call Matthew." She smiled and slipped out of the house into the muggy mid-August morning.
The morning was less than eventful, Bethany feeling the pressure of anxiety over her lunch with Damon coming up so quickly. She was supposed to meet him at his office at a quarter till eleven, and it was just a few minutes after ten. She checked her watch for the tenth time before getting up and walking toward the women's restroom. She would get a few assignments from Damon during lunch, and then she was slated to work with Ben a little that afternoon on a new service they were thinking about offering in the near future.
She reached out and pushed the women's restroom door, a loud protest on the other side as she scraped the door across some poor girl's foot.
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry."
Bethany moved into the bathroom and saw that the girl was bent over and rubbing her foot as she cursed.
A dark-haired Hispanic girl stood behind the injured girl with a scowl on her face. "You should watch where you're going. Jeez."
Bethany started to apologize again as the injured girl stood up and glared toward her. It was the girl from the elevator, whose foot Bethany had stepped on the day before.