Page 99 of Beauty Beneath the Sorrow
I chuckle. “That is good to know.”
The rest of the evening went well. There were a few little comments here and there, followed by a good amount of uncomfortable topics, but overall, it was smooth.
It was interesting to witness the dynamic between Brian and Lina. They both have no idea what their relationship should look like. I hope my presence tonight was able to put them both at ease, especially with the added layer of Bristol.
Lina and I drove back to her place after dinner and now we’re enjoying a glass of wine together. Casually hanging out has become the norm with us. Neither mentions me staying. We both just assumed I would be.
“That wasn’t so bad, right?” I ask, sitting on the couch with one leg crossed over the other.
Lina gives me a side-eye. “Except for the whole bathroom incident.”
“Not the best timing, but it felt like you had a pretty good orgasm,” I tease, leaning back again to get more comfortable.
She pouts and drags her feet over to me. “It was a nice dinner. I love having my dad in my life. I still can’t get over how younghis girlfriends always are.”
“I get it,” I say, gesturing for her to join me. “But you can’t let it bother you all the time.”
She crawls into the crook of my arm. I slowly slide into a lying position. Lina moves with me, resting her head on my chest. “I know. It’s easier said than done, though.”
I rub my palm across the top of her forehead in a soothing motion. The movement lightly brushes her hair back. My eyes are heavy, and I can easily fall asleep with her perfectly curled into me.
Suddenly, Lina raises her upper body, slips her hands under my shirt, and dips her head inside.What is she doing?
My laugh rumbles through both of our chests. “What are you doing?”
“Getting closer to you,” she mutters, sliding the rest of her body underneath my stretched-out shirt. I watch in confusion as she slips both of her arms by my side and exhales heavily. Her heart beats against my chest, and even though it’s tight, both of us squeeze into my T-shirt. I don’t want her to be anywhere else.
“Are you better now?”
Lina wriggles her body. “Much.”
I hold her tighter. “That’s all that matters, baby.”
“Why do I have such insufferable parents?” she blurts out.
I sigh. “Give Brian a break. He’s a good guy, and he’s trying.”
“I know.” The tips of her fingers make small circles around one of my tattoos. “And my mother?”
Chuckling, I run a hand through my hair. “You’re on your own with that one.”
The lock on the front door echoes throughout thehigh ceilings right before Lina’s sister comes barreling in. Instinctively, I flinch for fear she’ll see us together.
“Hi, Lina. Hello again, Lina’s dad’s best friend,” she greets calmly as she makes her way up the stairs toward her bedroom.
“Hi, Zoe,” Lina whispers with her face smashed against my pecs.
I’m not sure if her sister even heard, but she obviously isn’t fazed by seeing us in this position.
I let my body relax again. “Your sister knows?”
She shrugs. “Probably.”
Sometime later, there’s a buzzing in my pocket. It alerts me that we’ve fallen asleep on the couch. I lift my head to see if Lina is asleep, and she is. She’s sleeping soundly on my chest. Small noises escape from her mouth as she snores in a low hum. I thought she was lightly snoring because she was sick that one time, but she seemed to be a snorer when in a deep sleep. It’s fucking adorable.
Holding in small bubbles of laughter, I pull my phone out carefully so as not to disturb her.
Baywatch: Hey, man, thanks for coming to dinner tonight. Lina was much more relaxed with you there.
