Page 37 of Dirty Little Secret, Baby
When he was done, I wanted to send the original file, as well as the one with the enhanced audio, directly to Beth. But then I had an even better idea. I would wait outside her shop until I saw her, then send the files and go inside a few minutes later.
After sending them, I was already on my way when Beth’s friend, Veronica, came around the corner and entered the shop. That meant I had to wait. I wanted to give Beth time to share the news with Veronica, a single mom who, after coming in, immediately went to stroke the little boy Beth was apparently watching despite working in the shop. That was kind of sweet of her, and I wondered if it wasn't exhausting, looking after a friend's baby while working.
Whatever, that was their business. I just knew that the moment of truth had arrived, and I wanted to clear away the secrets once and for all. So I took a deep breath and then entered the shop.
***
"I have to tell you something, Beth. Something really important. I don't want anything else to stand between us..." I say, approaching Beth after Veronica has excused herself to go upstairs with her baby to change his diaper. It seems as if all the color has drained from Beth's face.
"Well?" I croak, wondering why she looks so dejected.
"So, you believe me. The thing with my ex-assistant is cleared up?" I ask, backpedaling a step just to be sure this is really the right time.
"Yes, I believe you and..." she pauses for a moment and looks at the floor. "I'm sorry I didn't want to believe what you said. It's just..."
"The picture was pretty unflattering," I agree, finishing her sentence and giving her a smile, hoping it might lighten the mood a little.
"Yeah, pretty." She gives a small grin, and that sight alone sends a strange heat coursing through my entire body. Could it be that I'm a little afraid of how she'll take the truth?
Hell yes, because, honestly, that's not the only reason I want to go to dinner with her. She's so much more than just a means to an end. She's... an attractive woman I can't get out of my head.
"And considering our history, I would have done the same thing in your shoes," I stress, wanting to emphasize again that I understand her.
"What's the important thing you want to tell me?" Beth asks, getting back to the topic and looking me straight in the eye.
"Right. The thing is..." I pause and look directly at her. "God, how do I say this?"
"Another woman?" Beth asks, raising her right eyebrow in a cute way and crossing her arms.
"No, no. No other woman. Just you and me. At least, if that's what you want," I return, which is followed by a pause I hadn't intended at all. Beth is about to say something, but this time I'm the one who cuts her off, placing my finger on her lips.
Only now do I realize how close we are, and the feeling of her soft lips under my finger sends electric sparks through my entire body. Damn, this woman does something to me that no other has managed. Beth doesn't pull back and just looks at me. The moment is so intense and so charged that I want nothing more than to pull her to me, to feel her body against mine, but I have to get a grip: first, I have to lay all my cards on the table.
"The thing is, this Jake guy," I begin, taking my finger from her lips after two seconds that felt like an eternity. "He's an ex-employee of mine. We were buddies. Or at least I thought we were. Anyway, he left my company and started his own. A direct competitor to my business."
"Okay, I already know he's no gentleman. He offered me the $10,000 for a date and the shop. But why is his past important to me? Does it have to do with his offer?" Beth asks, instinctively taking a step back.
"We both have successful burger businesses with several locations. Jake's Burger's belongs to him. I own Big Burger."
"What? You're the head of Big Burger? I love your burgers."
"Thanks," I say and smile.
"The ones at Jake's are good too, though," she adds.
"Well, they did copy our recipes," I reply. "But that's not what I'm getting at. The point is, Jake took a lot of knowledge with him that he wasn't entitled to. I'd say he stole it, but our lawyers and a court will decide that someday. The fact is, he specifically poached some of my employees, including Dilara from the video. My ex-assistant. She works for Jake."
"You mean, she did that with the photo on purpose? But why?" Beth asks. "Sure, you guys don't like each other, but what does that have to do with me?"
"It's about—" I begin, knowing that the moment has come to tell her it was about her shop. Originally, at least. I also want to tell her about the bet and invite her to dinner at the same time. This is going to be a real tightrope walk.
"Beth. Can you come here for a second? It's... important," I hear the voice of Beth's friend call from out of sight. She must be standing at the top of the stairs with the door open. Behind her, you can hear her child crying.
Good Lord, why does a mother need her friend's help? Or did Beth secretly signal her to lure her away under some pretense if it gets to be too much for her? I was just about to tell her everything. Damn it, why does something have to interrupt right now?
"I'll be right back. Wait a second," she says, promptly leaving me standing there. Minutes pass while I'm alone in the shop, looking at the flowers and wondering how I'm supposed to make her believe me about the bet and my interest in the shop without her throwing me out again. Is that even possible? I really hope so. Maybe I can break the news about the shop gently and leave out the part about the bet? What woman likes to hear that?
"Alex?" I hear her voice and spin around.
