Bethany Dunstan wants your love. (seducteur) wrote in quiddproquo, |
Was it wrong that she felt disappointed when he didn't slide in next to her? She hadn't realised until he sat down that she was hoping that he would sit by her, plant a kiss on her cheek, throw an arm across her shoulders. She didn't understand why those thoughts even crossed her mind. This wasn't a date; she would have objected if it was. This was lunch with a friend so she could help with a letter. Nothing more. So can it, brain, or I'll make you think really bad thoughts, she silently threatened. It didn't help.
Bethany flushed at his compliment. She was used to hearing that, but not with such sincerity, and she looked down at her jumper. She was feeling uncharacteristically shy, and she mentally told herself to snap out of it. She ran her hands over the soft wool covering her stomach and and looked back up at him. "Thanks." She took in his appearance and smiled again. "You look so much better. Much less--I don't know, but you look to be in one piece and mended?" She made the last word a question, needing him to confirm his health.
The waitress returned at that moment, seeing that Beth's guest had arrived. "You're a Kestrel," she said, her Irish accent thick. "You eat free, love. We don't have a menu at Donny's, but you name it, and we'll make it. Anything in the world. Anything at all. Almost. The boss draws the line somewhere, but we'll not go into that because you seem like regular folk." She looked at them expectantly. "What'll it be?"
Bethany tried not to laugh. This place was something else. She glanced at Sean briefly then back to the waitress. "Mushroom, swiss cheeseburger with chips and a chocolate peanut butter milkshake, please." She had thought about a curry, but that suddenly sounded really good.
Once Sean had ordered, too, and the waitress left them, she pulled out her notebook and biro. "So, what am I helping you write? I've never been on the sending end of a love letter, but I'll do my best." Her tone was flippant, but she held her breath as she waited for him to confirm or deny her fear.