BethanyThe graveside service was much faster, and everyone seemed okay until the end. The preacher looked down at the front row where Kendal sat and offered him a rose. Bethany couldn't hear what the man said from where she was standing off to the side with the rest of her family, but Kendal took the flower and stood up.The preacher turned and walked to the head of the casket, bending down and grabbing a handful of dirt. He sprinkled it over the shiny black box. "Ashes to ashes and dust to dust."Kendal moved up next and paused with his back to everyone. He was speaking, but it was impossible to hear what he was saying. The soft sound of crying rose up and almost tore Bethany in two.She glanced over toward Damon, who moved forward to stand beside his best friend. He paused as Dana got up from her seat and moved up beside Kendal instead.Kendal's back shook as his shoulders rounded, and he laid the flower down. Dana wrapped her arms around him and pressed her cheek against his shou
DamonDamon stood over the sink, washing dishes and listening to the sounds of his family laughing behind him. Martha had the day off to be with her son since he was graduating from college. Damon almost felt guilty for not being there beside her. She'd been a part of his father's household since he was a boy."What are you thinking about, handsome?" Bethany slid her hands around his waist and pressed herself against his back.He closed his eyes, letting himself fully experience the warmth that radiated off of her. How in the world he thought himself capable of moving on without her beside him was a fucking joke. He’d have hated the man he would have become if their relationship didn't work out. He was already slipping back into being a full-time asshole."Martha. Her son is graduating college today." He turned off the faucet and grabbed a hand towel, wiping his hands and turning around to face her.His father glanced up from talking with Karen and smiled. "I sent flowers to her house
Damon"Why do you keep biting your lip and fidgeting? You okay?" Damon reached for Bethany's hand as they walked off the plane in Florida."I don't know. I just hate the idea of you going into work and Delilah throwing out her web of lies." Beth shrugged and wrapped her arm around the back of Damon's waist as they walked toward the black Lexus that sat off to the side of the private runway for them.Matt moved up beside them. "I told you that woman is a viper. Dad should have never hired her. I bet she's working up some fucked up concoction now to bring you down to your knees, bro."Damon glanced over at his brother and scowled. "Right. You're not helping right now.""Oh shit. Sorry." Matt gave them a sheepish look and walked toward the trunk of the car, popping it and reaching for Beth's bag after tossing his into the back."You guys need help?" Beth asked as Damon released her and handed her bag to Matt."No, just get in the car, baby." Damon waited until she was in the car to turn
Bethany"Okay, so this was the best idea, ever." Matt glanced over and gave Beth a cute smile."Right?" She reached out and took his hand. "I know it might sound sappy, but I'm really glad you're in my life."His expression softened as they stopped in the sand by the surf. "Me too. I've always wanted a sister, honestly. You're exactly the type of sister I wanted too, but I do wish we would have grown up together. I'd have loved to have someone to blame all the shit Damon, and I did on."She laughed and released his hand before spreading out her blanket and lying down. "Tell me about your deal with Jonathan. Is he going to have a showing that features your work soon?"Matt dropped down in the sand next to her and wadded up his towel. "Yeah. He said later this fall. I want to get excited about all the great stuff happening, but I can't seem to move past this lump in my chest." He rubbed his chest and glanced down at her."And that lump represents what?" She put on her sunglasses and cup
Bethany"It's fine, baby." Bethany pressed the phone to her ear as she stood in the hotel room and watched the world outside of her window. The ocean was beautiful at sunset, so romantic and calming."I thought I would come in and sign a few things and go over the documentation with the team, but we have one more glitch that's looking more like a control issue. I have to help fix it. James is flying out and should be here any minute. You and Matt grab dinner?" Damon sighed, and she could tell that he was less than thrilled with the fact that he wouldn't be joining her for dinner or bed."We will. Just do what you need to do and come snuggle up to me when you get in. That work?" She moved back and let the curtains fall into place."Yeah. I love you, baby."Warmth filled every part of her as she closed her eyes and smiled. "Me more. See you in a little while."She wanted to ask about Delilah but figured it wasn't the right time. Hanging up, she tossed the phone onto the bed and changed
Damon"Do you have a minute?"Damon glanced up at the sound of Delilah's voice. The innocence on her face caused him to stiffen. She was up to something. What the fuck happened to the girl he grew up with? Bridget was always the one getting into shit and causing problems for everyone around her. She'd come between him and Delilah so many times over their teenage years that Damon finally relented and asked the bitch out. It had been a wild ride, and his profession of love was more from not understand at all what love looked like. His mother and father being the guide left a little to be desired."Only a minute." He stood from the makeshift desk the client had set up for him.She walked in and sat down in the chair across the desk from him, leaning back and crossing her legs as a seductive look moved across her face."I honestly think if we worked on the report a little more that we could sell more services to Mr. Talling. We have that new adviser group opening up soon. Why not utilize
Damon"No, Damon, but this isn't that simple. The school has strict rules. I'm not allowed to date a student. Period.""Then wait until she's not a student. Just be friends with her until she's graduated. She's doing work at the hospital, so she has to be a resident, right?""Yeah. She's in her senior year.""Good. Then be a close friend this year and when she graduates in May, take it to another level. If you care about her, you need to make sure you don't let her slip through your fingers. I'd never in a million years expected you to let someone hold you like you did today. All I'm saying is that she obviously means something.""She does." He let out a soft sigh. "I'll think about it. I don't want her changing the path that she's on to suit me, which is what she wants to do. That's not fair to her.""If she's falling in love with you, then she's being quite sensible in her thoughts. I'd do anything to be with Beth. That's what love does. You know this. Look at what you did for Ana,
BethanyThe evening with Matt was just what she needed. The conversation and laugher were innocent and never once turned to her relationship with Damon or his lack of relationship. By the time they'd had their third round of beers, Bethany was feeling the weight of exhaustion. Between the trial, the funeral and traveling to Florida, she was spent. A hot bath and bed sounded far better than anything else she could imagine.She hugged Matt's neck, walked into the room and pressed her back to the door, letting out a long sigh. Having Damon there with her would have had intense benefits, but in the state she was in, she wasn't sure she would have enjoyed any extra attention at all.After her bath, she snuggled down into bed and texted him to let him know that she was thinking about him. She passed out before he responded, slipping into the world of dreams and resting peacefully.The touch of someone's hand on her shoulder caused her to jolt up."It's just me, baby," Damon whispered softly