Page 60 of Nerdelicious
She frowns. “What?”
I hesitate. I can’t exactly keep insulting the customers, even in fictional languages. “Your request is irrational and you’re a condescending harpy.” Oops. Guess I insulted her in her native language.
Her mouth pops open in outrage but before she can respond, I’m saved.
“Oh, Beast.” Caroline’s entire demeanor morphs from insulting shrew to bubbly coed when he stops next to her. “Is it your break time now?” Her voice is all bright, smooth notes flavored with innocence.
He nods.
“I’ll go with you.” She dimples up at him and one corner of his mouth inches upward.
And suddenly I want to stab myself with the cocktail sword. He smiled at her. A small one, but still.
Jealousy twists and tangles itself into knots in my stomach. I want to She-Hulk Smash.
My face must show some emotion because Beast watches me, brow furrowing.
I huck the cherry in the trash. “I’ll grab you some food from the kitchen. Be there in a sec.” Eliza is at the other end of the bar with a customer. “Be right back,” I yell.
In the kitchen, I plate up the special, crawfish étouffée, and then cut a hunk of freshly baked french bread and throw it on top.
I will bring Beast his food. Smile. Act normal. Show them that everything is okay and I don’t care if Beast smiles at a blonde parasite who makes Lex Luthor seem like a philanthropist. A parasite I helped set him up with.
But there’s no chance for nonchalance. I push open the door to the office and freeze, rendered immobile by a surge of dread edged with panic.
Beast is sitting on the couch, Caroline next to him. But that’s not what has me wanting to vomit. Caroline is leaning overkissingBeast, her lips grazing one corner of his mouth. Though by the time the door has swung fully open, he’s yanked away from her.
She pulls back, blinking rapidly. “Oh.”
What the hell?
“Here’s your food.” I put the plate on the table and turn back, bolting out of the room and shutting the door firmly behind me.
I stand there for a few, heartbreaking seconds. The rapid beat inside my chest constricts my breath. I can’t get enough air. I make it as far as the kitchen but then stop outside the door, hiding in the little alcove by the swinging doors. I can’t go back out to the bar like this.
Even while my body is spiraling in panic, my mind cycles through emotions, trying to make sense of it. I am being ridiculous. He’s not mine to pine over. I’m leaving. I’m not staying here. There is nothing for me here. I can’t live in Blue Falls and work at Bodean’s for the rest of my life. It’s not meant to be. Besides, he wants Miss Caroline Perfect Pout. Not Piranha-Face-Fred. It’s okay for him to go after her. I have no rights to this overreaction. I’m the one who told him we were a mistake.
My eyes are screwed shut, heart pounding in my ears, so when a gentle touch lands on my arm I almost leap out of my skin.
“Beast,” I breathe.
He points at me, then makes the okay sign.You okay?
“I’m fine.”
He tugs on my arm, gentle but firm. Two hard shakes of his head. His eyes are locked on to me, his jaw a hard edge of granite. A muscle twitches in his cheek and then he mouths,Not fine. Lying.
“It’s... we can’t talk now. I’ll tell you later, okay?” I turn to flee. I’ve got to get back to the bar.
He stops me, a hand on my shoulder. His brow is creased, eyes troubled, blinking, his breath coming in short pants between parted lips. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in this state. Oddly, the reaction soothes my own whirling emotions.
He points a hard finger at me, then makes a talking motion with his thumb and fingers, open and shut.
You. Talk.
I grab his titan hand and give it a squeeze. “Beast. Everything will be fine, I promise. I can’t do this right now. I have to get to work. But I swear we’ll talk later. Okay?” I stalk away before he can respond, not looking back.
Back at the bar, I throw myself into work, taking orders, mixing drinks, restocking the beer cooler, trying to get my mind off the vision in the office. I can’t think about it or I might hurt someone. Someone blonde.
