Love of Truth

by C. T. Oliver

  “I’m proud of you, Penny,” Blu reach over and pat her hand.

  “Thanks, Blu. And thank you for helping me computerize everything. I didn’t realize how old school the Walters were.” Pen shakes her head and looks fondly over at Blu. “So, what does the birthday boy want for his birthday dinner?”

  “About that, I know that it’s just us for our birthday dinners. I hope—”

  “Its fine, Mel,” Blu cuts me off. “With all that eye candy, it’s worth it to break the rule this time.” Blu grins dreamingly and takes a big sip of his cocktail.

  We spend the rest of the afternoon laying out in the sun and gossiping about everything and everyone, laughing and catching up on each other’s lives. Though we practically see each other every weekend for our ‘family dinner’, we never seem to have enough time to talk about everything. Around five o’clock I decide I am ‘baked’ enough and run upstairs to shower off the coconut oil.

  I step out of the bathroom just as Craig comes into the bedroom, hot and sweaty from his workout. I stop and stare as he starts to strip as he walks into the room. Passing me he gives me a kiss on the forehead before heading into the bathroom without saying a word to me. Leaving me to stand there with a tingling sensation all over my body and my towel dropped on the floor.

  Larry helps me pick out a black and white polka dotted shirt dress and black wedge sandals to complete the outfit. I let my hair dry naturally giving me the wind blown beach curls look. I add on thick mascara to bring out my eyes and a light blush to soften my tan. I add bright red lipstick for the classic beauty appearance. In the end, I don’t look half bad. Short, but cute.

  Coming down stairs with Larry in hand, I keeping thinking how Craig said he was going to pick up me when really he is still in the bathroom getting ready. The thought makes me giggle, but then anything concerning Craig makes me giddy. That’s how bad I have it.

  “Wow, Shorty! You cleaned up nice,” Cory smiles wickedly as he look me up and down.

  “Why, thank you. You, too. Where are you guys going?” I scan the room to see Blu, Pen, Cory, and Ben all dressed and ready to head out as well.

  “Chowder House, of course. I miss Mary dearly,” Blu sighs dramatically.

  “I think you miss the microbrews more,” I smirk at him.

  “You want us to take Larry with us? I’m taking Mozart. I think he needs a night out after his lazy day in the sun. Right, Mo?” Pen asks, tickling Mozart who barks happily in reply.

  “Sure, but don’t feed him too much. I think he’s getting chubby.” I give Cory a stern look and hand Larry over to him.

  “But he’s hungry. I can’t let my buddy go hungry,” Cory laughs as Larry squirms and runs up his shoulder.

  “Just enjoy it while it lasts, Amelia. Cory doesn’t share food for long,” Ben chuckles.

  I settle into the couch to wait for Craig as everyone heads for the door. I notice I’m very nervous. Having been on a number of dates, I’m usually not nervous about having dinner with someone. So why am I anxious and giddy? I can’t sit still with the butterflies and excitement flowing through me. The doorbell chime practically makes me jump out of my skin. I open the door, thinking one of the guys left something behind, but there on my doorstep is a very handsome and polished Craig Patrice in the most perfect white buttoned up shirt, worn blue jeans, and the sexiest smile.

  Chapter 20

  The second Amelia opens the door, my breath leaves me and I can’t seem to take in any air. With her hair down and makeup enhancing her face, she looks like the women from the old movies mom and dad like so much. Amelia gives it a modern-day-laid-back spin though. She is glowing from her time in the sun today making her even more captivating.

  “Hi, baby. You look beautiful.” I lean in to give her a kiss on the cheek. She smells like sweet flowers and mint. It calms the anxiousness that’s hovering over me.

  “Hi.” Her arms wrap my waist in a tight hug and I feel the world standing still to experience this moment with me. “How did you get past me? I was thinking you were still upstairs,” she says quietly resting her face on my chest.

  “I had to go get you these.” I bring around my arm to hand her six stems of orange red peonies, all that I can get in this town. Thanks to Pen, I learned that they are her favorite, along with cherry blossoms.

  She gasps. “Oh, my gosh! How were you able to get these?”

  The surprised look on her face makes me so happy. I’m going to have to give her surprises often. “I can’t reveal my sources.”

  She can’t seem to take her eyes off the flowers. “Thank you so much.” She looks up and I see a rim of tears in each of her eyes. “I can’t remember the last time someone got me flowers,” she whispers.

  “Oh baby,” I pull her to me, placing a kiss on her head. “That is going to change. You are going to be surprised with so many flowers, they’re going to be growing out of your ears.”

  She looks up at me with the sweetest smile. “I’m just very grateful for these. Thank you.” Going on her tiptoes she gives me a quick kiss on the cheek and heads into the kitchen to arrange the flowers into a large mason jar. “Where are we going tonight?”

  “I was thinking we try should Italy’s Shores,” I say, sounding kind of hopeful for some reason.

  “I love that place. They offer a platter full of different varieties of breads and butter and cheeses and sauces!” she exclaims while clapping her hands together.

  I chuckle at her excitement and reach out for her hand. “Well, let’s get the lady some bread.”

  The restaurant is a fusion of old school and new style. The interior is warm with dark red walls and huge paintings of Italy’s vineyards and landscapes but the atmosphere is refreshing with the back of the restaurant opening up to outdoor dining on a large deck. The touch of wildflowers in vases and candlesticks in wine bottles at each table give it authentic charm.

  Amelia has been smiling from ear to ear since I helped her out of the SUV. Her happiness brings a sense of serenity to me that I haven’t felt with any other woman before. I decide it is going to be my life’s mission to keep her this happy all the time.

  Walking into the restaurant, we are ushered to a table on the weathered deck where we have the best view of the setting sun. Our waiter, a teenage boy named Lee, is constantly stealing glances at Amelia as he stutters out the specials of the evening. I can’t blame the kid; I feel the same way.

  She insists I pick out our wine since she got to order the bread platter. While waiting for the appetizer, I sit back and listen to her reason her way through the list of entrées. Any other person, I can see myself getting annoyed—with Amelia, it’s fun to see her hand gestures and the way she pinches her bottom lip with her thumb and index finger when she thinks. Everything she does just intrigues me.

  “Okay, I am a hundred percent sure, I want the tour of Italy’s shores,” Amelia announces to Lee with a firm nod at her decision. She smiles up at the kid making him shuffle his feet.

  “In that case, I will get the lobster ravioli, since that is not on the tour. That way you can have another dish to sample,” I give a nod, smiling at her wide grin of approval.

  As Lee stumbles away from the table with the menus in front of his lap, Amelia looks out into the ocean and sighs contentedly. She momentarily closes her eyes and lifts her face up to the night sky. Just like the first time I saw her. “You picked such a lovely place. Thank you for bringing me here.” She looks back at me with the cutest smile.

  “You’re welcome.” I sit back and take a sip of wine, running my eyes up and down her glowing face. “You look beautiful. You caught some sun, today.”

  “Thank you,” she shyly looks down then reaches her hand over to link her fingers with mine. “Did you have a good time in the water today, babe?”

  “Yeah, the waves here are a lot more unpredictable than other places, but I’m getting my thrills. How about you? Every time I looked up you guys were in deep conversation.”

  “You
were looking at us?” she asks.

  I chuckle and rub my thumb back and forth on the back of her hand. She has the softest skin. “Of course. I always want to have you in my sights, Amelia.”

  She looks at our hands and a light blush creeps up her cheeks. “We talked and got caught up. Blu was telling stories about his last tour through Europe and some of the people he’s been rubbing elbows with. Oh! And I scored season tickets for the Blazers next year,” she smirks as she reaches for her wine.

  “Nice! I’ll be your plus one.” I pay close to attention and see a little smile crossing her lips at idea of seeing a game with me a year from now. It’s promising. “Oh, and you’re right, Blu doesn’t look like he’s one to make other people’s coffee. I can imagine him accidently pouring a shot of Jack into someone’s latte.” Amelia snorts mid-sip of her wine making her cough and her eyes water.

  “I know, right? What did I tell you—” She coughs and rubs her chest trying to clear her throat. “Told you—” She coughs and laughs while wiping some mascara from her eyes.

  “Sorry, are you okay?” I reach over patting down her back. I lean over to give her a kiss on the cheek. She nods as the food arrive stopping our conversation.

  Sitting back in my seat I shift to hide the twitching in my pants as I watch Amelia eat. It is one of the cutest things she does. She pinches off bread to feed me, or offers me bites of her food. It’s a part of her nature to share and give to others. Amelia may want to hide it, I can tell, but it’s innate and it’s in everything she does.

  “Oh, babe?” she asks while dipping some soft buttery garlic bread into aromatic marinara sauce.

  “Hmm.”

  “Does Ben have a girlfriend?” she asks innocently.

  I’m caught off guard by the question. A piece of bread goes down the wrong pipe. “Why do you ask?” I cough and drink a big gulp of water to clear my throat.

  “Well, I think Pen likes what she sees, but she’s too shy to admit it,” she shrugs.

  I chuckle. “Ben couldn’t shut up about wanting to talk to her about her store today out in the water. Actually, while we were working out, too. Cory put him in a headlock to stop him from talking,” I shrug.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, despite what it looks like to you, Cory can actually hold his own.” I laugh.

  “That’s not what I meant, silly.” She tilts her head at me.

  “Amelia, what are you thinking?” I smile, reaching over to wipe some marinara off the corner of her lips.

  She shrugs and smiles mischievously as she looks out into the ocean. “Nothing, I just think they should get to know each other, that’s all.”

  “Uh-huh,” I chuckle, shaking my head at her. “Amelia, just let them be.”

  “Don’t you want to see your friend happy?” She pouts at me. Adorable.

  I bring the hand I’m holding up and caress the back of it with my lips. “Yes, I want to see Ben happy. But guys don’t set up other guys up. It’s in the bro code somewhere.”

  Her face brightens as if she can contradict me. “What about being a wingman?” Her eyes are practically dancing.

  “Umm…that’s picking up someone, like in a bar or a party. And that’s lame, a real gentleman,” I gesture with my hand to myself, “doesn’t need a wingman to pick up a pretty lady.” I wink at her.

  “Right…you needed a puppy in distress. Ohhh…in your case, Larry was your wingman.” She chuckles at her own joke.

  “Hmm. I guess, but I didn’t like that he was hurt. He didn’t have to be, I was planning on knocking on your door soon enough.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her.

  “Ohhh?” Her eyes dilate and her lips form a perfect O and in a second she snaps out of her lustful state. “You’re changing the subject.”

  I sigh. Not wanting to say anything bad about Ben, but needing to lay out the truth, some of it anyway. “Ben likes adventure. He’s not really a one-place kind of guy. He works endless hours and then he goes off somewhere and disappears for days or weeks seeking thrills and excitement before coming back. He has always said he isn’t around long enough to have a girlfriend.” I’m not about to tell her that Ben has certain tastes when it comes to his bedmates.

  “Ohh,” she breathes out and hunches her shoulders, but at the same time looks as though she’s deep in thought.

  “Amelia, just let it be. Who knows if they like each other enough, they can make it work. Yeah?” I look at her hopefully.

  She looks up at me with a smile and nods. “Yes, I hope so. I want Pen to be happy.”

  I hope she believes that when a couple want to be together enough, they can make it happen. In our case, with me moving at the end of the summer, it’s going to take a lot of work for us to be together and I want more than anything to be with her.

  We’re roaming down the coastal line behind the restaurant after dinner. The night air is surprisingly mild with slight breezes twirling the lingering of salt in the air around. The ocean is completely black, but for the half-moon reflecting into it. On the city side, lights dot the windows of the occupied houses a distance away from the shoreline.

  Amelia and I have been talking nonstop about books, movies, music, everything and anything since dinner. For the first time, I have found a best friend in a girl. The feeling is exhilarating and limitless.

  She looks beautiful as the slight wind picks up and her hair flows wildly when the breeze crosses us. She snuggles into me the farther we walk. “Are you cold? We can start to head back,” I lean down and trail kisses up her chin and nip at her ear lobe. My fingers coax their way through her silky hair and tuck a strand behind her ear.

  “No, I’m okay.” She turns to face me and wrap her arms around my neck. “But I wouldn’t mind if we went home.” She pulls me in for a kiss that has me pressing my body to her soft curves. She nibbles and pulls at my lower lip. My hands run down her sides feeling the soft material of her dress gliding over her perfect skin. Letting my hands roam down, I grab on to both cheeks and I lost all thoughts. She leans back and looks up into my eyes. “We could, you know, end the date with a movie and snuggle on the couch.”

  A movie? What? “Jesus, baby. You’re not wearing any panties!” I rest my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath. “You’ve been sitting next to me all night with no panties on,” I growl through clenched teeth.

  “Is that a bad thing?” she asks innocently.

  “No, it’s not a bad thing. Shit, baby. I could have just lifted up your dress, and, and…” I try to calm my breathing, but can’t. All the blood is rushing to my groin from thoughts of the endless possibilities. “Good thing I didn’t know until now, or we wouldn’t have been able to get through dinner.” I turn, taking her hand in mine and start to the direction of the SUV.

  “Babe,” she laughs and tries to keep up, “babe, we…” She lets out a squeal as I turn to pick her up making her laugh harder. She is draped over my shoulder as one of my hands skim up a leg and under the hem of her dress to grab a hand full of sweet bare ass. Jesus, just touching her skin is my undoing.

  I place her in the passenger seat before leaning down to kiss her senseless with my kneading her bare bottom. She wraps her arms around my shoulders so tightly, pulling me to her. I rub her smooth bottom before moving my hand to cup all of her. She’s perfectly hot, wet, and ready for me. The knowledge only makes me want her right here and now, but I can’t cheapen Amelia to car sex for our first time. Pulling away with a moan, I make my way over to the driver side.

  “You okay with us skipping ice cream?” I ask, pulling the SUV out of the downtown area.

  “Ice cream? We planned ice cream?” She leans over the console and reaches out to hold my hand.

  “I planned dessert and an old movie at the Showcase theatre,” I take a quick glance to look for any disappointment on her face, but I’m greet with one of Amelia’s greedy hands skimming over my stomach and up my chest.

  “We have ice cream at home and—” she leans closer, pushing
her hand under my shirt, “a few channels dedicated to old movies,” she runs her hand across my stomach. Her touch is burning up my skin. “And we have a couch and a bed—” she trails off while lowering her hand, rubbing between my thighs as she leans in to place kisses on my neck. I take a deep breath to control the excitement.

  “Amelia, I want to get us home. Please, please hold on to that thought, for the love of God,” she runs her hand up my thigh and over my bulge, “—just a little longer.”

  “But, but…I want a preview,” she playfully pouts.

  “God baby. You’re going to kill me one of these days with that look. Now, be good and let me get us home and then you can pick the movie, the flavors, the bed, the floor, and whatever… Just hold on,” I stammer while trying to focus on where I’m going. Her hand rubs over my jeans-covered bulge and gives it a squeeze before she leans back in her seat. I gasp in a breath to control the ache.

  “I have a feeling we’re not talking about dessert and a movie anymore.” She smiles playful at me.

  I chuckle as I take a quick look over at my little seducer. “Baby, you are so not as innocent as you look.” I shake my head at her. Amelia has me wrapped around her little finger and I know it. Surprisingly, the knowledge doesn’t scare me at all. It’s another confirmation that I am falling hard for her.

  I open the door to the house and all is quiet inside. Amelia walks in and stands near the loveseat. The soft lamp is casting a glow around her. She is looking down at her feet and has her hands laced together in front of her. I wonder if my Amelia is suddenly shy. I slowly walk over and stand right in front of her. Without touching her, I lean down and press my lips on her forehead and take in her lovely scent. Her breath catches and her eyes dilate into pure endless lust.

  “Would you like some ice cream?” she asks in a low whisper.

  “No, baby. I don’t want any ice cream.”

  “You want me to pick a movie?” she whispers.