The Beauty of Us

by Kristen Proby

  How the fuck am I going to do that?

  Chapter Three

  ~Riley~

  He’s wearing a suit today.

  A motherfucking suit.

  Trevor walked into Seduction at seven this morning, carrying Starbucks for all five of us, an orange-and-white backpack slung over one shoulder, and his tall, lean body in a dark gray suit with a red tie.

  It’s been a week since I had dinner at his place. I’ve seen him at work, prepping to begin filming, which starts today, and I’ve spent time with him away from work too.

  But he’s never worn a suit.

  “You’re staring,” Addie whispers in my ear as she joins me at the table of the empty restaurant. We’re doing interviews early in the day, before we open for lunch.

  “No, I’m not,” I reply with a frown.

  “It’s okay,” she says, and nudges my shoulder with hers. “He’s pretty hot.”

  “I didn’t think married women were supposed to notice things like that.”

  She smirks. “I’m married, honey, not dead. Trevor is a sweet guy, and the package is delicious.”

  “I’ve never seen him in a suit before,” I mutter. “It’s hot, right?”

  “Hot,” Addie confirms. “And his glasses?”

  “Don’t get me started.” I shake my head and squirm in my seat.

  “You’ve been spending a bit of time with him.”

  I frown again. “We’re just friends.”

  “Oh, I know.”

  My gaze whips to hers. “Why do you say it like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re terminally disappointed in me.”

  “I didn’t mean it like that. But Trevor is sweet, with a good job, and he’s sexy. You seem to attract the exact opposite of that.”

  “Like you used to, before you met Jake,” I remind her, and she nods with a grin.

  “Exactly.”

  I look back to where Trevor is chatting with a camera guy. He nudges his black-rimmed glasses up his nose and shakes his head, adamantly against whatever the other man just said.

  A muscle in his jaw ticks, and I have to look away.

  “I can’t be into him,” I whisper to Addie, who just scowls.

  “Why ever not?”

  “Because he’s only here for a couple of weeks,” I hiss.

  “You’re not marrying him, Ri, but you might have a bit of fun.”

  “Do not say the sexcation word,” I reply. “Kat already won in that game.”

  “And how,” Addie says with a laugh. “Who knew that a sexcation could turn into love? Anyway, you’re not on vacation. But it’s okay to enjoy him. You guys seem to like each other.”

  “He’s easy to talk to,” I admit. “I don’t get sick of him after three minutes. At least, not yet.”

  “If I was you,” Addie says quickly just as Trevor glances our way and begins to walk over, “I’d enjoy the fuck out of him.”

  “Ladies,” Trevor says with a smile as he approaches. Oh yeah, I’m attracted to him. I mean, the man is tall, and although I haven’t seen him without clothes, I can tell that he takes care of his body.

  And the way he smiles when I’ve said something to make him laugh? Holy baby Jesus, it makes me tingle.

  “Who’s first?” he asks.

  “Sorry?” I have to clear my throat and pull my thoughts away from sexy Trevor and focus on work Trevor.

  “Who are we interviewing first?” he asks again.

  “Kat,” I reply, and look around for her. “She has an interview for a new bartender soon, so she’s going first.”

  “Great,” he says, and winks at me as he turns to look for Kat.

  “He likes you,” Addie says.

  “Oh, goodie. Be sure to tell him in study hall that I like him too.” I roll my eyes and open my folder for today’s itinerary.

  “Whatever,” Addie says with a laugh. “I’m just glad that you guys get along so well, since you have to work together. He seems nice, and if you’re just friends, that’s cool too.”

  “Just friends,” I stress, and make a note for Cami’s interview later this morning. “I hope the interviews don’t go too long. We’re running a bit behind.”

  “We’ll only get three in this morning,” Trevor says, surprising me. I glance up to see him standing at the table, arms crossed over his chest. “We’ll do the other two tomorrow.”

  “Okay,” I reply with a nod as Addie stands and walks into our office. “That makes sense. That way, if we go over we have wiggle room.”

  “Are you all chatty?” Trevor asks.

  “We can be, especially when we talk about Seduction because we love it so much.”

  “That’s awesome. Should make for some good footage, then.” He points to the stage, where we’ve set up a table and chair for each of us to sit in for the interview. The camera and lights are set up and ready to go.

  Kat is seated at the table, looking awesome in her blue rockabilly dress, her lips red and hair up in a fun ponytail.

  “Are you doing the questions?” I ask him.

  “Yep. You’re welcome to watch.”

  “Oh, I planned on it,” I reply. I’m nervous about this. I mean, I trust my friends. They’d never say or do anything to jeopardize our business, but they’re also very outspoken.

  Especially Kat.

  I stand, gather my notes, and walk with Trevor to the stage. We’re both sitting out of the range of the camera. Kat looks beautiful under the lights; very sophisticated, fun, and put together.

  Which describes her to a T.

  “Are we ready?” Trevor asks the sound and camera people, who both nod.

  “The sound guy and I should be going out to dinner later,” Kat says with a wink. “He’s been up and down my shirt all morning.”

  “Well, now we can hear you,” Trevor replies with a grin. “And I’m quite sure the up-and-down-your-shirt thing was as horrible for Shawn as it was for you.”

  “Horrifying,” Shawn says with sarcasm as he holds the sound equipment, big earphones on his head, and a boom overhead.

  “Let’s get started,” Trevor says as yet another production guy holds the clapboard in front of Kat.

  “Interview with Kat, take one.”

  “This is all very official,” Kat says with a grin.

  “Kat, can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you come from, and how you came to be friends with your four business partners?”

  “Sure,” she says, and shifts her gaze to mine. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Kat look nervous, until today. I smile with reassurance and give her a thumbs-up. “I was raised here in Portland and also in California. My parents are scientists, and work in both places.

  “I was homeschooled, graduated from high school early, and went to college at sixteen, which is where I met Mia, Riley, Addie, and Cami.”

  “And how did the five of you end up opening a restaurant together?”

  “I think it was Riley’s idea,” she says, looking to me for clarification. “It just made sense, because with all of our individual talents, we each bring something special to the restaurant.”

  “And how did you come up with the theme of the restaurant?” Trevor asks.

  “That was Riley’s idea too,” she says with a grin. “And I think we were all over at Addie’s place, drinking too much, thinking about how we wanted to go about the business. One thing that we all decided on was that while there are plenty of delicious places to eat in Portland, there really wasn’t one that catered to couples. I mean, if you want to go on a date with someone you’re in love with, or even just interested in, you want to go somewhere fun and romantic. We really wanted the restaurant to be an extension of the romance experience. So Mia researched the hell out of aphrodisiacs and how to incorporate them into a menu, and the rest is history.”

  “It’s such a smart business move,” Trevor says, and I feel myself sit up straighter, proud of what we’ve done here.

  “We’ve had pr
obably close to two dozen marriage proposals here, and I can say with confidence that we’re a great place to bring a first date,” Kat says with a nod. “We truly wanted all of the senses to be titillated at Seduction.”

  “Can you tell us about the bar?”

  “My baby,” Kat says with a sassy wink, and I can feel myself start to relax, just a bit. She’s doing so great!

  “Well,” she continues, “if you want to have a restaurant that caters to adults, it makes sense to have a bar in-house. I’ve always been interested in wines, how to pair them, how to serve them, and so on. We have an extensive wine cellar, but if wine isn’t your thing, we have hard liquor and local beers as well. But I have to say, if you don’t like wine, we can’t be friends.”

  We all laugh as Kat flips her ponytail over her shoulder.

  “Can you talk a little bit about the other women, and how you feel about what they all bring to the table?”

  “I could talk about these women all day, so how much time do we have?” She smiles, her eyes finding mine again, and shrugs one shoulder. “They’re spectacular people. Intelligent, funny, generous. It’s very much been a group effort, since the beginning. We all have a say on everything, and sometimes we disagree.”

  “What happens if you disagree?” Trevor asks.

  “We take a vote,” she says. “In fact, you’re here because of a majority vote.”

  “Really?” Trevor tips his head to the side. “Who didn’t want me to come?”

  “I’m not telling,” Kat says, holding her hands up in surrender. “The point is, this is a team effort. We all put in double what a normal work week looks like. Sometimes we sleep here.”

  “Sleep here?” Trevor asks.

  “Sure. If I’m here working on inventory and such into the wee hours, I just crash here. Or, I should say, I used to, before I met Mac. He prefers I go home these days.”

  “As he should,” Trevor replies. “Can you walk me through your workday?”

  Kat continues to answer Trevor’s questions honestly, with humor and the love she has for our place shining through her eyes.

  When she’s done, we all stand to stretch and Shawn unhooks her from the sound, reaching down her clothes to get all of the wires out.

  “She did great,” I whisper, and take a deep breath, and suddenly Trevor turns to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

  Holy shit, he smells good.

  “Stop worrying, Riley. She was great. You’re all going to be great. I promise.”

  I smile and nod, not able to speak. The more time I spend with him, the more attracted I am to him. And then he had to go and wear a suit today.

  Shit.

  He turns back to his notes, and I take another deep breath, wondering what in the hell I’m going to do with this pent-up sexual aggression and the attraction I feel for Trevor.

  Maybe going out on a date tonight will take my mind off him.

  I doubt it, but a girl can hope.

  “Wow, you haven’t changed at all,” Dave says as he sits across the table from me. I wish I could say the same about him.

  Dave and I dated for two years in high school, and he’s recently moved back to town. He called last week, and we set the date for tonight.

  But Dave has done nothing but change. In high school, he was a jock, tall and built, with dark blond hair and a killer smile.

  And now he’s lost a good portion of his hair, he’s let himself go, and his smile just looks . . . smarmy.

  “Thanks,” I reply, and take a big sip of my wine. “What have you been up to?”

  “Well, I lived in the San Francisco area for a while.”

  “Oh?” I sit back as the waitress delivers my food, and wait for Dave to keep talking. Maybe, if we eat really fast, this date will be over sooner rather than later. My biggest regret is that I let him pick me up, so I’ll have to ride back from downtown Portland to my house with him as well.

  I know better than that.

  “Yep, I was down there for about eight years. Had three kids.”

  “Really? So you got married?” I take a bite of broccoli, but can’t actually taste anything, so I set my fork back on my plate.

  “Well, the third baby’s mama talked me into marrying her, but that’s not working out.” He shrugs, and I’m taken totally aback.

  “So, you’re still married?”

  “Yeah,” he says, as if he’s telling me that he put gas in his car before he picked me up. “But, man, she’s a bitch.”

  “So you’re going through a divorce.”

  He shifts in his seat and won’t meet my eyes now.

  “I’m sorry, Dave, I misunderstood when you called last week. I thought this was a date.” I laugh and take another sip of my wine, relieved. “But I can quickly switch to friend-zone mode.”

  “No.” He shakes his head. “This is a date. I wanted to see you.”

  I narrow my eyes and suddenly have a very bad feeling for what’s about to go down.

  “You’re married.”

  He brushes that off. “I just need to tell her I want the divorce. I moved back up here, like I told you over the phone. I’m staying with Mom and Dad for a while because I’m still looking for a job, and all three baby mamas think I’m made of money or something, always wanting money.”

  Now my jaw tightens and hands clench in my lap.

  “I heard that you’ve done well for yourself with that porn restaurant.”

  I’m quite sure my eyes are going to pop out of my head.

  “And to be honest, I need someone who can help me out. I need to be with a girl who has her shit together, you know?”

  Because you’re a colossal shit show.

  But I don’t say anything quite yet, I just sit back and wait for him to finish his spiel about how he’s lonely, and needs nine thousand dollars.

  As if I have nine thousand dollars to give him.

  Finally, unable to listen to him anymore, I hold up my hand to stop him.

  “Stop talking.” I take another sip of wine.

  “I’m really a great guy. I mean, you know that.”

  “Shut. Up. You’re a great guy? I wear heels bigger than your dick.” He blinks fast, clearly shocked by that statement. But I’m just getting started.

  “Let me get this straight. You have three children, all from different mothers, and you married the third. You’re still married to her.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “I said shut it.” I glare across the table at him and he stops talking. “You’re a piece of garbage, Dave. You won’t financially support your children, and I may not know you anymore, but I can pretty much guess that you don’t emotionally support them either.”

  “They’re just kids—”

  “And now you’re living with your parents, probably avoiding the whole job thing because they’d just garnish your wages for child support.”

  “I’m looking for something under the table—”

  “I’m so relieved that I broke up with you when I did. I dodged a huge bullet with you. I think you’re nothing but a jackass, and all three of those children deserve far better than they’ll ever get from you.

  “I’m leaving now. I will not sit here and listen to this bullshit. And as far as ever getting a dime out of me, or anything else? Fuck you, Dave.”

  I stand and throw my napkin on the table and grab my handbag.

  “I can’t afford all of this,” he says angrily, and I just keep on walking.

  What an asshole!

  And now I’m stuck in downtown Portland, late in the evening, with no car. Cabs don’t just drive around here like they do in New York. You have to call for one.

  But I’m pissed off and I want to vent.

  I want to yell.

  I might want to punch something.

  The girls are all busy tonight with their men, Mia’s at the restaurant.

  But Trevor’s place isn’t far. I could easily walk there.

  I take my phone out of my handbag
and call.

  “Hello.”

  “Hi, Trevor, it’s Riley.”

  “Hi,” he says again, “are you okay? Your voice sounds different.”

  “I was just wondering if you’re home, and if so, can I stop in? I’m in the neighborhood.”

  “Sure, that’s fine,” he replies. “Are you sure you’re okay? Do you need me to come get you?”

  Stop being so fucking nice to me.

  “No, it’s not far. But I’m going to order a pizza, if you don’t mind.”

  There will be an enormous amount of stress eating tonight.

  “I don’t mind.”

  “Okay.” I take a deep breath. “I’ll be there in a few.”

  I’m already walking toward his building.

  Correction: I’m stomping toward his building.

  Because I’m pissed. And not a little hurt, which just pisses me off more.

  I make my way up to Trevor’s place and knock on his door. When it swings open, I’m met with him wearing sweats, a T-shirt, his glasses, and a remote for something in his hand.

  “Gotta go,” he says quickly, “She just got here. Bye, guys.”

  He yanks an earbud out of one ear.

  “Am I interrupting?” I ask.

  “I was just playing a game,” he says. “No biggie.”

  I nod and walk in, pacing around his tiny apartment.

  “What’s up, Ri?” he asks.

  I shake my head, and he leans against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, watching.

  “I’m pissed off.”

  “I gathered that much,” he says, watching me through those sexy-as-fuck glasses.

  “Why are all men horrible?” I finally ask, and toss my bag on the kitchen counter. Not hard, because it’s a Louis, but hard enough to be satisfying.

  “In what way?”

  I just roll my eyes and keep pacing. I’m getting dizzy. I hope the pizza arrives soon because I’m starving.

  “I went out with this guy I dated in high school,” I begin, and tell him the whole story, all the way through me leaving the restaurant. “I mean, what in the actual fuck, Trevor?”

  The doorbell rings with the pizza, and I immediately run for it and fling it open.

  “Thank God you’re here.”

  The kid grins. “I wish all the pretty girls I delivered to answered the door like this.”