by Elias Taylor
She wasn’t sure that was going to be possible with Christian, though. Their dynamic was already intense and dramatic. Between the fistfights and Tisha, they were basically a soap opera in the making. Yet, she didn’t think she was ready to invest in Christian. He was handsome and funny, and they had insane chemistry, but his track record with women wasn’t good. Not only did he have a fraught history with Tisha, but he also had become a total wild card over the last few years. Beth didn’t want to put too much stock in rumors, but she had heard about too many rowdy nights featuring Christian to dismiss the idea.
Beth was hoping that their first real date might clarify things.
“You gotta focus,” Mel interrupted Beth’s thoughts. “We only have an hour!”
Beth stood up and grinned at her friend. Beth had never been high-maintenance, so she had never taken an hour to get ready for anything in her life, but she was struggling with indecision. She needed Mel keeping her on track.
“I can’t wear a short skirt because we might sit down on the grass,” Beth said.
“Smart,” Mel said. “Mini skirts are out.”
“Maybe a pair of cotton pants?” Beth asked. “Cute but not too fancy.”
“Plus, you’ll look all artistic,” Mel said.
Beth threw some options down on the bed. She started bouncing on her toes. She always got fidgety when she was apprehensive.
“Nervous?” Mel asked.
Beth looked up at her friend. She could tell that Mel was concerned, and Beth’s heart ached. This was what a true friend was like. For so long, Beth had thought Tisha’s friendship was enough, but Mel actually cared about Beth’s wellbeing.
“Yeah, I am,” Beth said.
“It’s odd. I’ve never seen you nervous before a date.” Mel cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Usually, you don’t seem to care either way.”
Beth shrugged. Mel was right; Beth didn’t often care if a date went well or not. Since she was never looking for anything serious, and it never mattered before. She didn’t know why all of a sudden it did.
“I guess it’s because this is technically our first date, but we’ve already hooked up.” Beth sat down on her bed again. Mel plopped down by her side. “I mean, last time we hung out at night, we ended up wasted and doing it at his place.”
“So awesome.” Mel grinned. “Don’t forget the fistfight.”
“I’m serious,” Beth said. “It just feels like more than a first date, and I’m also scared that whatever we had that first night wasn’t real. It was just a result of adrenaline, excitement, and alcohol.”
Beth stared ahead for a moment. There was more to it, and Mel waited.
“I’m also scared it is real,” Beth said. “Because if it’s real, I don’t know how to be with someone in such an intense way. I haven’t felt so strongly about a guy in a really long time. So, either way, I’m screwed.”
Beth stood up and looked down at Mel.
“You know, it’s okay to get close to someone.” Mel’s face softened into a sympathetic gaze. “In fact, it might even be extremely fun.”
Beth let out a little huff of laughter. She knew Mel was trying to understand why Beth was so reluctant to let herself get attached. Mel was the type of person who threw herself wholeheartedly into every relationship. If she got hurt, Mel just picked herself up and kept going. Beth was envious of her friend’s resilience. Beth’s ability to recover from loss had taken a severe hit when her dad died.
Beth still suspected that when someone lost someone that important, they never really recovered.
“I don’t think I even know how to get close to people anymore.” She looked at Mel and sighed.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Beth exhaled in relief. It was hard to admit her biggest fear, but it felt good to say it out loud. It felt even better when Mel leaped to her feet and wrapped Beth in a bear hug.
“I know it’s hard,” Mel said. “But listen, you’re selling yourself short.”
Mel backed up and gripped Beth’s shoulders.
“I know you’ve got walls up, and I do understand it,” Mel said. “You were hesitant to get close with me at first, but then we both put in the time and effort, and now look at us!”
Beth smiled. Mel was right. When she had first met Mel, she thought they would be cordial co-workers and nothing more. Beth didn’t want any new friends. Tisha was already exhausting enough.
But Mel had worn Beth down bit by bit. Every day, Mel had made Beth laugh with new jokes, and finally, Beth had agreed to hang out with Mel outside of work. She had discovered that Mel was anything but exhausting. Mel was kind, enthusiastic, and supportive. Mel was a source of support, not a source of stress. That was when Beth had really understood what a friend was supposed to be like.
“You’re good at putting in the effort, though,” Beth said. “What if he’s not?”
“Then he’s not the guy for you.” Mel shrugged. “Trust me, if he knows how great you were, he’ll put in the effort.”
Beth reached out and pulled Mel back toward her for another hug.
“You’re the best,” Beth said.
“I know,” Mel said. “Now, go get dressed.”
Beth skipped into the bathroom and emerged a few minutes later in her outfit. She had gone with mint green cotton pants with a tapered leg and a drawstring waist. They were flattering on her long legs, but comfortable. She had paired the pants with a lacy white crop top. It had delicate, fluttering short sleeves and was just a bit low cut without being scandalous. Beth thought the white shirt showed off her tan skin.
“You look amazing,” Mel squealed. “Okay, are you going to wear your hair up or down?”
“I was thinking of leaving it down with my pink headband.”
“Perfect,” Mel said.
A half-hour later, after much fussing from Mel, Beth was completely ready. She had put on some tinted moisturizer and a bit of mascara and lip gloss. She wanted to look like she tried, but she wasn’t about to put on a full face of makeup just to go to an art festival. Beth had never been one to put much energy into makeup, anyway, and she still wanted to be herself. Otherwise, what was the point?
Mel helped Beth select a cute pair of sandals that she could easily walk in, and Mel had made sure Beth’s hair was untangled and frizz-free.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Beth said after examining herself in the mirror one last time with a nod.
“You’re going to blow his mind,” Mel said.
“He’s seen me before.” Beth waved it off. “It’s not like I’m wearing a ball gown or anything.”
“But you look nice,” Mel said. “And he’ll know you look nice for him specifically.”
Beth grabbed her purse and tossed her wallet, phone, and keys inside.
“Okay, I’ll be back later tonight,” Beth said. “And we can debrief on how it goes.”
Mel’s apartment was getting fumigated, so she was going to spend the night at Beth’s place. Beth was happy her friend would be waiting for her after the date. If it was a success, Mel could help celebrate. If it was a disaster, Mel would happily open a bottle of wine and talk Beth off the edge.
“Sure you’ll be back?” Mel asked, giving Beth a mischievous look and shaking her head.
“I am not going to his place,” Beth said. “Last weekend was an exception, not the rule.”
“Whatever you say,” Mel said.
“I was drunk,” Beth said. “And there was a fight. It was a special circumstance.”
“Oh, you weren’t that drunk,” Mel said.
Beth sighed and gave up. Mel could think what she wanted. Beth had never been the type to sleep with a guy on the first date, and just because she and Christian had already slept together didn’t mean that she was a whole new person. Tonight was about getting to know him as someone other than Christian, the Bad Boy, or Christian, the Ex of Tisha.
Beth took a deep breath to steady herself. He wasn’t even in the room, and he was giving her butterflies
. How was that even possible?
It was scary to desire someone this much. Especially someone like Christian. Beth knew he liked her. He wouldn’t have been so determined to ask her out if he didn’t like her. But was he just looking for a fling? Could he even get serious with someone? He probably had massive trust issues after Tisha. And his behavior since the breakup seemed to indicate that he wasn’t exactly looking for commitment.
The doubts swirled through Beth’s head, and a frown took over her face.
“Hey,” Mel said, her voice cutting off Beth’s panicked thoughts. “Don’t stress, just take it day by day.”
“Okay,” Beth said. “I’ll try.”
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Beth jumped even though she should have been expecting it. Mel hopped from foot to foot and giggled like a manic schoolgirl.
“He’s here!” Mel whispered.
Beth gave her friend a quivering smile.
“I’ll open the door,” Mel said. “It’ll make you seem cool and posh.”
Beth laughed at Mel’s funny way of thinking about things as Mel scampered toward the door.
“Hello,” Mel said. “How are you?”
There he was, standing tall and taking up the entire doorway. Beth drifted forward as if in a daze.
“Hi, Mel.” Christian smiled. He looked past Mel and stared at Beth, his eyes wide. While he still smiled, it didn’t look the same as when he smiled at Mel. There was something more to how he smiled at Beth. “Beth, I got these for you.”
He held out a colorful bouquet of flowers.
“Thank you,” Beth said.
She didn’t feel like herself as she accepted them. It was as if she had suddenly transformed into a girl in a movie. She turned and handed the flowers to Mel.
“So lovely. I’ll put these in water,” Mel said.
Christian stepped inside. As Mel moved behind him to get to the kitchen, she gave Beth a wide-eyed look behind his back and mouthed a bunch of stuff. Beth caught something that looked like oh my God and so hot!
Beth tried not to react to Mel’s commentary and looked up at Christian.
He was hot. He was wearing a nice button-down shirt, and he was clean-shaven. She had thought his scruff was cute, but he looked good without it, as well.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” Beth said.
For the first time in her life, she really was ready.
Chapter Eighteen: Christian
Christian couldn’t take his eyes off Beth. He was driving, so he was supposed to be focusing on the road, but he kept stealing looks at Beth in the passenger seat.
She looked beautiful, but there was something else about her. She seemed fresh and clean. Christian knew if he were to describe a woman as clean, people would be confused, but that was the only word he could think of. Beth’s face was clear, and her eyes were bright. Her clothes were simple, and her gaze was direct. She wasn’t hiding under layers of fancy clothes or makeup. She was real.
In a way, she was his clean slate. The more time he spent with her, the less he thought of her connection to Tisha. She was her own person.
“I’m excited to see more of your photos on display,” Beth said.
“It’s just a local art thing, not a big deal.” Christian shrugged, but he allowed himself a small smile. He liked how interested she was in his work.
“Yes, it is,” Beth said. “It’s cool that you even have work to put on display.”
“Well, not as impressive as starting your own business,” Christian said. He turned to her and was pleased to see her blushing. Was she surprised he remembered or embarrassed by the flattery? Christian may have been tipsy, but he remembered every single moment of their night together, and he wasn’t scared to give the compliments that she deserved.
“I haven’t started it yet,” Beth said. “But I will.”
“I know,” Christian said.
He pulled his car into a spot outside the park and jumped from his seat. He was determined to follow his brothers’ advice and open the door for her.
Beth stepped out, and Christian felt a rush of delight when she took his hand.
The last woman he walked hand in hand with was Tisha, and Beth felt so much better. He liked how her hand felt in his and how they were announcing they were together. Somehow, holding Beth’s hand as they walked toward the art displays felt far more intimate than anything else they had done together.
He let Beth lead the way through the art festival. She paused to examine a bunch of handmade jewelry and then spent a long time looking at some landscape paintings.
She pointed at one in particular.
“I like this,” she said.
Christian gazed at the painting. It showed a sweep of fields dotted with trees and wildflowers.
“There’s something about it that’s natural, but it’s also contained.” She shrugged. “That’s the kind of landscape design I like best. The design fits so naturally into the landscape that you don’t even realize it is a design.”
“I kind of get what you mean.” He nodded. “With photography, I like to take candid photos, but I can’t just point and shoot at random. I have to set some things up. The lighting and the background have to be right. Then I have to catch the subject in a natural moment.”
“It sounds challenging,” Beth said.
“Yeah,” Christian said. “Some people, no matter what, can never relax if they know a lens is on them.”
“Where’s your work?” Beth asked. “I want to see it.”
Christian grabbed her hand again and walked toward the other end. Beth wasn’t a photographer, but he could tell she had an eye for aesthetics with her interest in landscape design. He was excited to hear her thoughts on his photos.
For the festival, Christian had submitted a series of portraits he had taken over the last year. He had wanted to capture people in moments that showed who they really were. There was one of Anthony, leaning on his bike with his arms crossed in a hardcore biker pose. Except, Anthony was laughing at something off-camera. Despite his leathers and his tough stance, the kindness that was so central to who Anthony was shone through.
The second photo was Christian’s mother. She was leaning on her kitchen counter with her chin in her hand. She was engrossed in listening to a conversation, so she hadn’t even known the camera was on her. Her face was soft and open, and it showed how good she was at listening and observing others.
The last picture was Christian’s cousin’s kid on the fourth of July. She was skipping down the street with a sparkler. The light was in motion around her head, and she was caught forever in a moment of pure joy.
Beth looked at each photo for a few moments. Christian realized he was holding his breath. He cared about her opinion. Beth turned to him at last.
“They’re amazing,” she said. “You captured so much in each photo. It’s remarkable.”
Christian felt heat rising to his cheeks as he looked at the ground in bashful pride.
“I really want to do work like this full-time,” Christian said. “The weddings pay well, but I like doing portraits and even sporting events more. I’m hoping to pivot into a media company. I would obviously need a partner to do a lot of the other stuff, but I would head up the photography for each branch.”
“That’s so cool,” Beth said.
He wished more than anything that he could take a photo of Beth at that moment. With the sun setting, the lighting was perfect, and she looked so gorgeous, he knew she would make a perfect portrait.
Later, he promised himself. He would figure out a way to photograph her later.
Christian led Beth over to the lawn, where an indie film was starting on a projector. He spread out the blanket he brought so they could sit. Beth settled down cross-legged, and Christian sat so their hips were almost touching. He wanted to put his arm around her, but it was their first date. Despite that they had already slept together, he should go slow.
“Tell me about your
landscaping business,” he said.
Beth’s eyes widened, which made Christian suspect that she was unused to talking about it.
“Well, the concept is straight-forward,” Beth said. “We want to do high-end landscape design for homeowners. So, setting up gardens and stonework and the like. And then, maybe once we were established, we could take on bigger clients like schools or corporate offices. I don’t want to grow too fast, though, because that can be risky.”
“Sounds like a solid plan,” Christian said.
“I guess,” Beth said. “Mel and I are a good team, and a lot of the clients we’ve worked with for our current company would switch to us once we start. It’s just hard to take that first step.”
“I get that,” Christian said. “Back when I got serious about photography, I thought I was good, but I was sure I wasn’t good enough to get paid. My mom practically forced me to do a relative’s sweet-sixteen, and I realized that I was good enough to actually make money off it.”
Beth nodded with enthusiasm.
“Exactly,” she said. “My dad always told me that I had to just do what I loved, and eventually, I could make a living off it.”
She stilled. Christian could tell she hadn’t even meant to bring up her dad. He imagined it wasn’t an easy topic.
“He sounds like a smart man,” Christian said.
“He was.” She relaxed. “And I do love landscape design. I know it’s hard to open a small business, but I know it’s what I’m supposed to do.”
“You’ll succeed,” Christian said. “I just have a good feeling about it.”
Beth beamed at his comment and turned to watch the movie.
As the sun set and darkness fell, Christian inched a bit closer to Beth. He leaned over to whisper in her ear.
“I want to break the rules right now,” he said.
Beth turned to him with a vague look of alarm on her face. Christian wondered if she had heard all the rumors about him being a bad boy.