“Girls, tee up the movie and sit next to Travis,” Rosie said. “Bethany and I will get some plates and napkins.” She motioned for Bethany to follow her into the kitchen.
The minute they were behind closed doors, Rosie turned to her and lowered her voice. “What’s Hank doing with Daphne Miller?”
Bethany frowned. “That’s what I was going to ask you. You didn’t invite her?”
“Are you loco?” Rosie’s brown eyes flared with annoyance. “Of course, I didn’t invite her. Why would I do a horrible thing like that? Hank just asked if a friend could come with him. I didn’t think to ask who it was. She did bring a fancy pistachio dessert, though.” She pointed to a cake with a light green cream filling, then rummaged around in the cupboard, bringing out a white plate, which she handed to Bethany.
“So Hank invited her.”
“I’m seriously disappointed in his taste.”
Bethany popped the cupcake holder open and beganadding the cupcakes to the plate. “First impressions can be deceiving. Still feeling sorry for him?”
“Actually, yes. He has to be desperately lonely to invite that man-eater along.”
“Or he craves attention from women. According to Elizabeth, he breaks hearts wherever he goes.”
“I can believe it. But maybe he felt sorry for her. Daphne can be persuasive, as you well know. What should we do about it?” Rosie picked up a tray with a pitcher of water, cups, and a big bowl of popcorn. “This was supposed to be a cozy family night.”
Bethany grabbed the plate of cupcakes and the pistachio cake. “What can we do? It’s not like we can kick her out. Let’s make the best of it. But I hope you won’t be offended if Travis and I leave as soon as the movie is over.”
Hank kepthis eyes on the television screen, but his thoughts were far fromBeauty and the Beast.They kept returning to the woman who sat on the opposite side of the room, the girls cuddled on either side of her. Travis lay on the recliner next to them, his head tipped back, snoring. It wasn’t surprising he had fallen asleep—the kid worked harder than anyone Hank knew, including himself.
He shifted on what had to be the pokiest couch he’d ever had the misfortune to sit on, and dodged Daphne’s groping hands for at least the twentieth time. He’d worked himself into quite a stew this morning after Bethany had made it clear just how little she thought of him. Then he’d spent the afternoon tinkering with machinery and pounding nails. He had about convinced himself that she wasn’t worth his attention, when the girls had invited him totheir princess party. Daphne had begged him to let her tag along, and he’d felt sorry for her. And he figured it wouldn’t hurt for Bethany to see that other women found him attractive.
Hank slanted a glance at Bethany. She and the girls made a pretty picture with their dark heads pressed together, their eyes glued to the television, and their lips parted. On screen, the narrator announced the curse: The Beast must learn to love another and earn Belle’s love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. But who could ever learn to love a beast?
Why did Hank feel like the hourglass had been turned? That he needed to find a way to convince Bethany he was worthy of her attention, or he would be lost forever like the darn beast.
She raised her head and her eyes caught his—dreamy, puzzled, soft. Something moved inside him—almost a physical pain—and he couldn’t look away. A hunger burned. But it was not sexual...not really. No, he hungered for her warmth and kindness. He longed for her to look at him the way she seemed to look at every other stray who wandered into her inner circle. He yearned for her to find him worthy. He was caught in her spell—a spell woven from loneliness and need and desire.
“I’ll get more water,” she said, scrunching her face in what Hank called her keep-your-distance frown and grabbing the pitcher. The dreaminess in her eyes hardened into ice chips. She turned and marched into the kitchen. Daphne moved her roaming hands into his hair, bringing Hank back to reality with a sudden hard tug. This was what he’d wanted, wasn’t it? For Bethany to see him as desirable. But the victory felt shallow in the moment.
Hank removed himself from Daphne’s clutches, stood,and collected their dirty napkins and plates. “Don’t get up,” he told Daphne when she rose to follow him. “I’m just getting rid of the dishes. I’ll be right back.” He followed Bethany into the kitchen.
The minute he opened the door, she turned from filling the pitcher with water. When she spotted him, her eyes widened. “Did you need something?”
“Yes.”A douse of ice-cold water.What was he doing? His gaze caught hers and he moved forward on autopilot. He’d tried being her friend and that hadn’t worked.
Like a mouse who’s spied a cat, she froze.
“You’re spilling.” He motioned to the overflowing pitcher.
She cocked her head and then her eyes widened further, and she twisted in a hurry to shut the water off and empty the excess. When she turned back, he was there. In her space.
“What do you want?” She lifted her chin. Her breath was warm on his face. Chocolate and vanilla filled the space between them.
“I think we need to talk.”
Her eyes narrowed and dropped to his lips. “About what?”
“About this.”
He bent his head, giving her plenty of time to duck.
She didn’t.
Maybe the beast could be saved after all?
