“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” Easton looked at Bella from under heavy lids, hoping the words sounded as flirty as they felt.
“I look forward to finding out all your secrets,” Bella replied, her voice equally low and sensual.
“You’ll have to buy me breakfast first.”
“Deal.”
They grinned across the small, round table at each other, then Bella glanced around at the other patrons. Easton took her cue, sat up straighter. “Okay.” With her eyes, she indicated the couple to her right and lowered her voice. “First date. They met online, I think.” She jerked her head back to gesture behind her. “He snored all night long and she is over it.” Bella snort-laughed, which made Easton grin widely as she used her eyes again and indicated to her left where three women talked animatedly. “Old college roommates.”
“Wow,” Bella said as the waitress stopped by and offered her coffee, which she accepted. “That was impressive.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much.” Easton bowed her head. “It’s a talent I have.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t demonstrate it at the restaurant last night.”
“I was preoccupied at the restaurant last night.” Again, Easton flirted without thinking about it. Bella seemed to have that effect on her.
“With?” Bella’s hazel eyes twinkled with mischief as she propped her elbows on the table, coffee cup held in both hands.
“My stunningly gorgeous date.”
“Interesting, since I was the one with the stunningly gorgeous date.”
“Huh. So odd.”
Their gazes held as Bella sipped her coffee, watching her over the rim of her cup. Easton felt that exciting little flutter low in her abdomen that Bella seemed so good at causing. There was something about having those eyes focused on her that…did things to Easton’s insides. Wonderful things. Naughty things.
With excellent timing, the waitress returned and asked if they were ready to order. Bella hadn’t even opened her menu, but she gave a nod, then gestured for Easton to go.
“I’ll have the Belgian waffle with strawberries, please.”
“Whipped cream on that?” the waitress asked, jotting in her pad.
Easton started to decline but glanced at Bella, and something made her say, “Yes, please,” instead. Bella’s face lit up.
“I’ll have the spinach and feta omelet with bacon on the side, please,” Bella said.
The waitress thanked them, took their menus, and zipped away. Easton could feel Bella’s eyes on her. “What?” she asked finally.
Bella shrugged. “Just thinking about you and whipped cream. That combination.” She picked up a cookie from the plate in the middle of the table, dunked it into her coffee, and half of it promptly plunked into the cup. “Okay,” she said and pursed her lips.
Easton laughed at the look of indignation on Bella’s face. “That’s what you get.”
“For what?”
“For thinking naughty thoughts.”
“I can’t have naughty thoughts about you?” Bella’s tone was playful, but it was clear to Easton that she was now treading lightly, possibly wondering if she’d crossed a line too early in their pairing. All Easton wanted to do was ease her mind and erase the uncertainty that creased her forehead.
She grinned and kept her voice low. “You can have all the naughty thoughts about me that you want.”
“Oh, good.”
“Just know that the universe might punish you for it.”
“If my cookie falling into my coffee is the universe’s punishment, I can live with that.”
“Then we’re good.”
Again, gazes held. Again, a zap of electricity shot between them. Chemistry! That was the word Easton had been grappling for. She’d never had this kind of chemistry with anybody, ever. Not even Olivia, and she was pretty sure she and Olivia had been off the charts, chemistry-wise. No, the connection with Bella was different somehow. Steadier, and therefore stronger. Much stronger.
And that’s when the thought hit her, loud and clear, putting a lump of concern in her throat that she had to swallow down.
I could be in a lot of trouble with this woman.
One sentence. A simple statement.
“What’s wrong?” Bella’s question pulled Easton out of her own head.
“I’m sorry?” Easton blinked rapidly, cleared her throat.
“Your eyes went really wide for a second there and it seemed like you were somewhere else. You okay?”
Easton reeled her thoughts back in, forced a smile and a nod. “I’m great.”
Their breakfasts arrived then, thank God, and Easton was spared from any more scrutiny for the moment. Bella was observant and was already disturbingly good at reading her. It probably came with the territory of being a therapist, but Easton felt at a slight disadvantage and she wanted to change that. The best way, she figured, was to gather more information. Because she really, really wanted to know this woman.
She cut a chunk of her Belgian waffle and looked up at Bella. “What made you want to become a therapist?” She put the bite in her mouth and chewed as she watched the beautiful face across the table from her. “Is that the right title? That you go by? Therapist?”
“I’m technically a licensed mental health counselor. But therapist is fine. Counselor is fine. Shrink? Okay.” Bella forked some omelet into her mouth, then looked up and to her left, almost as if searching for the right way to answer. “Well.” She chewed the bite, swallowed. “I’ve always been very aware of how your childhood and teenage years can mold who you end up being, down to tiny details. Not just the way you think, but the way you react to things. One event in your childhood can shape who you are as an adult. And it doesn’t even have to be something traumatic.”
Easton nodded, thinking about her own upbringing. “I get that. I have footsteps of grandparents and parents and siblings that I’ve always thought I should be following.” She grimaced. “I’ve struggled with that my entire life, and I’m sure there are thoughts or reactions I have that would trace back to that.”
Bella pointed a fork at her. “Exactly. Everybody’s got something. I was not at all popular in high school. I was mocked. Bullied a little bit. Add to that I was also struggling with my sexuality, and it adds up to this fact: there’s not enough money in the world to send me back there.” She chuckled at the statement as she ate some more, but Easton saw something dark run across her features.
“I can’t imagine you not being popular.” It was the truth. Bella was beautiful. Smart. Funny. Kind.
“I’m a completely different person today than I was at fifteen, sixteen, seventeen years old.”
“Aren’t we all?”
“Oh, come on.” Bella’s tone was playful, but that shadow was still hanging around. “You were a cheerleader. You’re gorgeous. I bet Connor was on the football team. You were the stereotypical popular girl.”
“That’s the second time you’ve made an assumption about me because I was a cheerleader.” Easton, too, kept her tone playful and light, but needed to make her point. Bella looked properly chastised—again—and nodded for Easton to continue. “Like you, I was struggling with some aspects of life, too.”
“Such as?”
“Oh, you think you get all my secrets already?”
“You mean I don’t?” Bella’s eyes went comically wide and she pressed a hand to her chest in mock affront.
“Please. It’s only our second date. Plenty of time.”
“Fair enough.”
Serious conversation ended there. Which didn’t mean the rest of breakfast wasn’t enjoyable, because it absolutely was. Easton loved not only the way Bella seemed to bring the flirtiness out of her but how she played back. Like they were playing catch. Easton would toss a sexy remark. Bella would catch it, then lob one back of her own. It was fun and delicious and made Easton feel slightly inebriated.
When they finished, Bella paid the bill. Easton put up a half-hearted
argument, but Bella waved her off. “Please. I’ll need to buy five of these breakfasts to be even with last night’s dinner.” The quick and flirty grin she shot Easton’s way when she looked up took away any perceived undercurrent about finances that Easton might’ve felt.
Once on the sidewalk, they realized they’d parked in opposite directions.
“Thank you for breakfast,” Easton said, standing close to Bella, who smelled like coconuts today.
“You’re very welcome. Thanks for suggesting this morning.” Bella glanced down at her feet, and for the first time that morning, Easton could see her nerves working on her. Which was a huge relief, Easton had to admit, knowing maybe she wasn’t the only one in uncharted waters here. After an audible swallow, Bella asked, “Can I see you again?”
“I’d like that,” Easton answered, too quickly, she thought. “I’m not sure what I’ve got as far as Emma goes this week, so can I check and get back to you?”
“Absolutely.”
Then came that moment. The awkward. When you stand there at the end of your date and it’s the middle of the day and you’re in public, so you can’t just make out. But you’re more than friends now, so a casual wave and a cheery “Bye!” won’t cut it. Throwing caution to the wind, Easton reached out and pulled Bella into a hug. It was warm. The nearly full body contact sent warmth running all through her. The hug lasted.
When they finally parted, slowly, Easton lifted a hand to Bella’s face, leaned in, and kissed her softly on the cheek. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
With that, she turned and headed toward where her car was parked, not daring to look back as a storm of emotions swirled through her head.
Oh, yeah. I’m in a lot of trouble with this one.
Chapter Twelve
Sunday brunch was at Bella’s that weekend, and while she’d like to say she got up early to prepare, the truth was that Ethel never let her sleep much past six, weekend or no weekend. Lucy, on the other hand, was still in the bedroom, stretched out on Bella’s bed and probably snoring, well after nine.
“Your sister is so lazy,” she said down to Ethel, who stood at her feet as she mixed up pancake batter, evidently wishing with all her doggie might that some food might randomly fall on her. Bella pulled bacon out of the fridge and got out her frying pan just as a knock sounded on the door. Ethel barked, looking toward the direction of the living room but apparently hesitant to leave the bacon.
“Good morning! It’s time for brunch!” Amy’s voice rang through the house. Bella heard Lucy’s answering bark from the bedroom, then responding laughter as she walked out toward the door.
Amy and Heather were both there together, which almost never happened. “You guys meet in the driveway?”
Heather, dressed impeccably as always in a pretty dress of spring colors, kissed Bella on the cheek as she walked past, carrying a dish. “We decided it made sense to just drive together.”
Bella sent a questioning look at Amy, who merely shrugged. Her dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail and she wore the fedora again.
“I’m liking the hat look,” Bella told her.
“Awesome, as I live for your approval.” She lifted both eyebrows once in a teasing gesture and held up a bottle of vodka.
“Perfect. You’re on Bloody Mary duty.” Bella followed Heather into the kitchen.
“I got this.” Amy fell in step behind her.
“Kind of chilly today. Aren’t your feetsies cold?” Bella gestured to Heather’s newly pedicured feet, toes a summery pink.
“I don’t care. It’s May and I refuse to wear my winter shoes any longer.” She wiggled her toes for emphasis as she poked buttons on Bella’s oven. “This needs to go in for half an hour, just to warm through.”
Lucy decided to lumber in, and at that moment, there were three women and two large dogs all crammed into Bella’s adequate but not huge kitchen. Instead of irritating her, though, it warmed her heart. “I’m so glad you guys are here.”
“Us too.” Heather looked at Amy, who was standing with a goofy, lovable grin on her face. “Hey. Those Bloody Marys aren’t going to make themselves.”
Amy flinched. “Right. Right. I’m on it.”
As Bella made pancakes and set the bacon to frying, she took glances at her best pals. While Amy made her world-famous—to them—Bloody Marys, Heather set the dining room table. For whatever reason, brunch seemed to end up at Bella’s house more than the others’, and Bella loved that, though it had taken a while, they had learned where almost everything was and that they were comfortable enough to help themselves.
Within thirty minutes, they were seated at the table, each on her second Bloody Mary, enough food laid out before them to feed another three or four people. Sunday brunch was her favorite, and before she realized it, Bella was picturing Easton sitting there with them, in the seat next to Bella’s, their feet touching under the table.
As she tore a piece of bacon in half and gave one to each dog, Bella thought she saw a look pass between Amy and Heather. When they looked her way, she raised her brows in question.
“Yeah, so we’re gonna need some details about Friday.” Amy put an elbow on the table and propped her chin in her hand as she gnawed on a piece of bacon.
Heather scooped a second helping of the surprisingly good apple crisp she’d made into her dish, forked a bite into her mouth, then turned her attention to Bella as she chewed.
Bella could feel her face immediately heat and she couldn’t have stopped the smile the broke out across her face even if she wanted to. “It was…” She shook her head as she reached for her cocktail, took a sip. “Wonderful. Amazing. I had a great time. And then we had brunch yesterday morning.”
Four eyes widened.
“Two dates in two days?” Amy said, incredulous. “Bells, that’s pretty impressive. How’d that come about?”
“No, no, no.” Heather waved her hand at Amy. “No, first she has to tell us about dinner Friday night. Because somebody didn’t answer my texts.” She narrowed her eyes at Bella.
“I know, I know.” Bella laughed. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to savor it a bit. I knew I’d see you guys today.”
“So? Spill.”
And spill Bella did. She told them all about dinner. How incredibly beautiful Easton had looked. How terrific the food was and how it didn’t even touch how terrific the company was. How Easton had asked if they could see each other the next morning. How they’d kissed in the parking lot afterward. How it was the best kiss Bella had ever had.
Heather let out a dreamy sigh and sank down toward the table a bit in apparent envy. “That is so romantic.”
Bella nodded, sipped some more. “It really was. The most romantic evening I can remember.”
“Hey, I took you to dinner a few times,” Amy teased.
“Taco Bell doesn’t count,” Heather jabbed, and Bella snort-laughed. Turning back to Bella, she added, “You looked so hot. I’m not surprised she wanted to see you again.”
“Thanks to my crack design team. Thank you guys for helping me.”
“No need. I had fun. It was like playing with a life-size Barbie. ‘This outfit. No, wait. This one. Hang on, try this one.’”
“You guys talk about going to the same high school?” Amy shook her head as she tore a pancake and slipped a bite to Ethel, sitting patiently at her feet. “Seriously, what are the chances?”
“A little bit. But we mostly talked about family and her daughter and her marriage.” Okay, so that wasn’t really a lie. Just an omission of some of the truth. She didn’t like doing it, but she was embarrassed to tell her friends she’d missed her window and needed to wait for the next one. She didn’t want the judgment. Mostly because she knew she probably deserved it.
“What happened with the husband?” Heather asked.
Bella told them the story of Olivia, how Easton had started seeing her, how it had ended.
“Oh, man. That sucks. She must’ve been devastated.” Heather’s tone w
as sympathetic.
“I think she was. I want to talk a little more about that with her.”
“Seeing her again?” Amy asked. She didn’t seem nearly as fanciful and caught up as Heather.
“Yeah, but we haven’t set it up yet. She needed to check on her daughter’s schedule. Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?” Amy asked, all wide-eyed innocence.
Bella cocked her head. “Please. I know you and I know when you’ve got something on your mind. Tell me.”
Amy looked to Heather, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Bella waved a finger between the two of them. “And what’s going on here? With the weird looks to each other?” Amy looked to Heather again, and Bella pointed. “That. Right there. What’s that about?”
“We’re just a tiny bit worried about you,” Heather said, holding her thumb and forefinger close together, and scrunched up her face as if waiting for a rebuke of some sort from Bella.
“It’s moving kind of fast,” Amy added.
Well, that wasn’t really something Bella could argue. She could admit that. So, she gave a conciliatory nod. “It is. You’re right. I’m very aware, believe me.” And she was. She knew by the fact that she wanted to text Easton. Right now. And see her as quickly as possible. Like, in the next five minutes. She also didn’t like the stench of desperation that wafted up from that desire, so she pushed it down and tried to ignore it.
“We just want you to be careful,” Heather said, reaching out to grasp Bella’s hand. “We love you and we don’t want you to get hurt. So just…maybe slow down a little bit?”
Bella squeezed Heather’s hand. “Promise.”
The concern clouding Amy’s face seemed to clear, at least mostly, and brunch went on.
***
Monday was equal parts busy and not busy for Bella. She had four appointments with clients. She also had four free hours to take care of paperwork, answer emails, catch up on a couple of new articles. Unfortunately, not a lot of paperwork was completed, only a couple emails were answered, and the articles remained unread because Bella’s mind was preoccupied. Very preoccupied. Very, very preoccupied by soft blond hair and beautiful blue eyes and an absolutely killer figure.
The Do-Over Page 13
