Chapter 23 #2
“Yes, one of those ones you buy when you can’t sleep and catch a weird infomercial,” Bree agreed. “We’re going to find him in a dumpster before it’s all said and done.”
I grinned. I couldn’t help it. “That sounds like a great idea to me. Let’s just figure out a way to get him in that dumpster.”
DINNER CONSISTED OF BEEF MEDALLIONS ON tiny pieces of bread, side salads, and potato cakes.
I filled my plate to heaping, not caring about the looks Preston kept shooting me, and laughed throughout dinner with Bella, Bree, Brody, and Hayley.
Per usual, Preston sat two tables over, Daisy at his side. His glare was pronounced.
“I’m just glad you guys aren’t hiding your fornication any longer,” Hayley said as she wiped her hands on a napkin. “It was getting painful to pretend that I didn’t know what was going on when you disappeared for your walks every night.”
“We were getting exercise,” I shot back.
“Right.” Hayley rolled her eyes. “I know exactly what type of exercise you were getting. Bree made me spy one night, and we saw your guys’ version of foreplay. It was freaking painful.”
Next to me, Bella stiffened. “What?”
“They’re exaggerating,” I assured her.
“We’re not,” Bree countered. “You guys were being creepy slasher killers and damsels in distress. Your scream when you’re frightened of getting knifed—there’s an interesting discussion on phallic symbols to be had there since most of the stabbers are men, but I digress—needs work, Nathan.”
I couldn’t decide whether I was amused or annoyed. Ultimately, I found I didn’t care. It wasn’t as if we’d been getting naked in the woods. It had just been a get-to-know-you game that I would enjoy playing until the day I died.
“Don’t give my girl a hard time.” I grabbed my empty plate and stood. Bella was still working on hers. “I’m running to the bathroom and I’ll bring back dessert.” I gave Bree a stern look. “Don’t talk too loud with Nosy McNosypants listening over there, huh?”
Bree glanced over to where Preston was watching the show with abject hatred and turned into a soap opera villain. “Sorry.” She looked as if she legitimately meant it. “I keep forgetting that jerk. I can’t wait until he’s out of our lives and we can give you the hard time you deserve.”
“Yes, that will be great for us all,” I replied dryly. “You want the chocolate brownie for dessert?” I asked Bella.
Her grin was quick. “How did you know?”
“Even though I’m not the most observant man in the world, there’s no missing the way to your heart.”
“Aw, so sweet,” Bree crooned when I leaned in and gave Bella a quick kiss on the cheek.
“Don’t make me hurt you,” I warned Bree as I walked away from the table. It was an empty threat—everybody knew it—but Bree loved banter.
Once I was finished in the bathroom and had washed my hands, twice, I headed over to the dessert table.
There were three offerings tonight, and I was debating whether I could get away with stealing five of the brownies—I had a grand idea about eating them in bed with Bella once we were finished with group activities this evening—when I felt a presence move in at my left.
I didn’t have to look to know who it was.
“Preston,” I said blandly.
“Good dessert choices tonight, huh?” he said in a falsely chipper voice.
I wasn’t na?ve enough to believe he’d sought me out, away from Bella, because he wanted to chat about chocolate cookies and cake. I played the game anyway. “Yeah. Bella loves the brownies. Can I take that whole pan of them back to our cabin, or is that considered tacky?”
Preston looked thrown by the question. “That’s a lot of sugar,” was all he managed to come back with after several seconds of contemplation.
“I happen to love Bella when she’s all sugared up.
I can’t keep up with her.” It was crass to infer something like that.
Preston, however, couldn’t take a hint, and the whole goal was to make the man lose his cool in public.
Once that happened, once we had a legitimate complaint to pin on him, he would be done with author events.
Sure, that wouldn’t secure his absence from our lives completely, but it was a good start.
“I see.” Preston didn’t even bother faking a smile this time. “I know what you’re doing,” he said.
I kept my expression neutral as I looked over at him. “Excuse me?”
“I know what you’re doing,” he repeated darkly. “I’m not falling for it either.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” That was true, partially. The man was often hard to read.
“Bella and I have a past that you can’t touch.”
I practically choked. “Yes, I’ve heard all about your past.”
“If you’re referring to my accidental indiscretion—”
I was not going to put up with this man making excuses. “Don’t.” I shook my head. “There’s nothing you can say that’s going to make me believe a single thing that comes out of your mouth.”
“Bella doesn’t love you. She’s only marrying you because she can’t have me.”
I snorted. “Dude, if she’s the one chasing you, why are you here?”
“I’m giving her what she always wanted. She’s just playing hard to get.”
“Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.” I grabbed the whole plate of brownies. “Have a nice night. I know I will.” I gave him my patented wink.
“Where are you taking all those brownies?” he demanded, his frustration obvious.
“To bed.” I strode over to Bella, who had finished her food but was looking concerned.
“Do I even want to ask?” she said.
“It’s nothing you can’t imagine.” I held up the brownies. “Would you like to forego the bonfire this evening and allow me to create the fire?”
She choked out a laugh as Bree groaned.
“That was terrible,” Bree complained.
I ignored her. “I’m ready for it to be just the two of us for the evening.”
“It’s been just the two of you for weeks at this point,” Brody pointed out.
“I know.” I smiled. “Now I get why you did it.”
“Man, I hate being the fifth wheel,” Hayley complained.
“We’ll work on your love life next,” I promised, holding out my hand to Bella. “For tonight, however, I’m focusing on me. Well, my Bellarino and me.”
“Just go,” Bree ordered. “You’re going to make the rest of us puke.”
Bella slipped her hand into mine.
“Gladly,” I said. “We’ll see the rest of you goobers in the morning.”