Chapter 4
Chapter Four
WEST
I’m not a jealous guy. Hell, I wouldn’t even consider myself all that competitive.
I like having goals for myself and achieving them, but it’s always a battle against me.
When it comes to coveting things others have, I’d tell myself if I worked harder, did better, I could have the things I wanted.
But as I stand here watching Bellarose smile at another man, I can almost taste the jealousy that rises up like bile in my throat.
“So then I told Amanda we have to go to the Hamptons next month.”
The woman talking to me touches my arm again, and I look at her, shocked she’s still standing there.
“Wouldn’t that be perfect?” She blinks at me, waiting for a response.
“What?” I blink a few times, and she shifts, blocking my view of Bellarose.
“Meeting in the Hamptons, silly.” She tries to touch me again, but I move out of her reach.
On top of not being jealous, I wouldn’t have considered myself a very touchy person before today.
Yet somehow when I looked at Bellarose, I wanted her to touch me.
I was clearly okay with touching her. Now this woman in front of me—Sherry, Shelly, damn it, I can’t remember—keeps putting her hands on me, and it’s annoying.
It’s like she’s trying to erase Bellarose’s touch.
I’m pressing my lips together so I don’t make a scene. I’m the owner of the goddamn company. I need to keep my shit together. Shouting at an employee to stop touching me would not be a great move. Most definitely not in front of all these people.
Desperate for an excuse to walk away, I spot my assistant coming closer. He must have seen the panic in my eyes because he’s come to rescue me. Thank god.
“Hey, Shelby, have you met Simon?” I practically push my assistant in front of me to use him as a human shield.
“It’s Sheryl,” the woman corrects me.
“Yes of course,” I say as I pat Simon on the shoulder and slowly back away. “Good talking to you, Sharon. Enjoy the s’mores.”
Simon says something to her as I make my way around the bonfire, but I’ve already forgotten both of them. I’ve got my sights set on Bellarose, and nothing is going to stop me now.
“Mr. Hayes,” an older woman says as she practically jumps in front of me.
I glance over at Bellarose, and she looks up at the same time.
We lock eyes for just a moment as the older woman starts talking.
“I’m Deidra from the West Coast branch. We’ve spoken before, but I just wanted to thank you in person for all you did for me when my husband got sick. ”
I turn my attention to Deidra, and then I remember her story.
Her husband got cancer last year, and she was going to quit to take care of him.
I called her and told her that she would be paid for however long it would take and I would cover the medical costs.
Then I told her that her job would be there if she wanted to come back, but if not, the offer still stood.
“He’s in remission now and is running a marathon next month if you can believe it.” She wipes a tear from her eye as she says this, and I smile down at her.
“Hank isn’t making you do it too, is he?”
She laughs and shakes her head. “He tried, but I told him I didn’t nurse him back to health so he could kill me.”
“How are the kids? Is your oldest daughter Maggie heading to college in the fall?”
“You know, she was hesitant until she received an anonymous scholarship last month. It was so strange. It came out of nowhere, and it covered everything.” She narrows her eyes at me ever so slightly. “We still don’t know who the silent benefactor is.”
“Well, I’m sure whoever it is knows the best investment is in people.”
Deidra’s eyes get teary, and then she surprises me by pulling me in for a hug. Her arms squeeze me tight enough that the breath leaves my lungs, and all I can do is stand there. For a small woman, she’s got the strength of a bear.
“Thank you,” she says before releasing me. Then she pats me on the cheek like a mom would and walks away.
I turn my attention back to Bellarose, who must have watched the exchange. She’s got a look of surprise that probably matches my own. I smile at her, but then the guy sitting next to her taps her leg to get her attention.
When she turns to look at him, I clench my jaw so hard it pops. I’m not trying to be an asshole. I’m also not trying to cause a scene. But if he touches her one more time, I’m going to have to do both of those things.
“Is everything okay, West?” Simon asks as he comes up behind me.
I have to take a deep breath so I don’t shout at him that clearly it’s not. Without realizing it, I’ve clenched my fists and am glowering in Bellarose’s direction like some kind of animal.
“I, um, think I just need to eat.”
“Would you like me to grab you a burger?” Simon offers, but I wave him off.
“No, I’ll handle it.” He nods, and then I remember that I shouldn’t behave like a total jackass. “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
Getting food seems like a good excuse to interrupt whatever Bellarose is talking about. At least, that’s what I tell myself when I walk over and break into their conversation.
“Tomorrow night I can take you to the meadow to show you the fireflies,” the guy is telling Bellarose when I step in front of her. “You won’t believe how many stars there are.”
“You need to eat,” I say to Bellarose like I don’t have any manners.
She has to crane her head back to look up at me because I’m hovering over her like a gargoyle. Before she can open her mouth, the camp counselor-looking douchebag pipes in.
“That’s a good idea; let’s go grab some food.” He goes to grab her hand, and in a panic, I reach out, offering my hand to Bellarose instead.
“Bellarose,” I say, looking into her eyes.
For me not being a jealous guy, I sure am making a huge show of having her choose me over him. Maybe he’s a good guy and would treat her well, but I can’t stand the thought of him getting the chance. Not when I feel such a strong connection to her.
“Sorry,” she says, and my heart plummets to my feet. Before I can get on my knees and beg her to reconsider, she turns her attention to the guy. “I promised West I’d talk to him about the new graphics I’m working on while we ate. I’ll find you later, Liam.”
He doesn’t have a chance to respond before she slides her hand in mine, and I nearly yank her off her feet to get her away from him. Holding on to Bellarose does something to calm everything inside me, and my heart slows to a steady rhythm.
The grill and food are set up on the other side of the bonfire, so I wordlessly turn and walk in that direction while keeping a hold of Bellarose’s hand. I go slowly so she doesn’t trip, and I notice a few people are watching us.
“Burger or dog?” I ask when we get to the food. I feel like a dumbass for making an almost-scene, and I’m hoping I didn’t embarrass her too much. It’s on the tip of my tongue to apologize, but what am I sorry for? Maybe I could have gone about it a better way, but the end result would be the same.
“Both,” she says, and I tell the chef running the grill I’ll have the same.
“Who was your friend?” The moment the words are out of my mouth, I want to replace them with my foot. Could I be any more of a macho dickhead? “I’m sorry, that’s none of my business.”
“It looked like you were having fun with your lady friend.” Bellarose stares straight ahead as she says this, and I feel my brow scrunch in confusion.
“I’m not sure I’d call it fun, but I was polite.”
“Then I guess I was too.” Bellarose shrugs. I’m still holding her hand, but she won’t look at me.
“Not that she’s not a beautiful woman,” I start to say, and Bellarose finally turns to scowl at me. “But she’s old enough to be my mom.”
Her scowl softens as her lips part and then she shakes her head. “Sheryl isn’t that old. At least I don’t think so. I mean, if she is, then her plastic surgeon is incredible.”
“Who?” I ask and then nod to Deidra, who is toasting a marshmallow. “I was talking about her.”
“Oooooh,” Bellarose says, dragging the word out.
“Who were you talking about?” I feel a grin tugging at my lips because I’m beginning to see that I wasn’t the only one that was jealous.
“Wow, they’ve got chips,” Bellarose says and releases my hand to grab several bags. She piles them up in her arms until they almost cover her face.
“Why don’t you find us a seat while I grab our plates?” I tell her and try to hide my smile.
“Can do,” she mumbles as she almost runs into a tree.