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Still, I couldn’t help but marvel at how Betty put on the toughest front. No, that wasn’t right. It was never a front with her. Shewastough. She was direct and forthright to the point of rudeness at times. And yet, beneath that prickly exterior was this sweet woman who once went caroling with her little sister to bring the neighbors hope and a smile. Who still remembered the dear old lady years later who gave her five dollars for being the bright spot in her otherwise lonely life.
I wanted this woman so goddamn bad.
I had to leash my desires, not let her see how much she affected me. Too afraid she was the kind of woman who might be skittish if I showed how much I wanted her. So I played the relaxed charmer.
Meanwhile, I was dying inside, desperate to hold her, kiss her. Lay her on my bed or on the ground or any flat surface I could find, then strip her bare and prove how I felt.
After dinner, as I led her out of the restaurant, she asked, “What time does the movie start?”
“We’ve got about thirty minutes.”
Her eyes glittered like a midnight sky as she stopped in front of the passenger door of my truck. “Aren’t you going to open my door for me, Broussard?” she teased, her gaze on my mouth.
Jarred for a minute, because Betty was giving me all the vibes that this was a real date, I stared down at her, frowning.
“Something wrong?” she asked like she had a secret.
Shaking my head, I opened her door, wondering if I only imagined it because I wanted her so bad.
“Get on in, Ms. Mouton.”
As I rounded the truck to the driver’s side, I made the decision that I was going for it. Whether Betty was ready or not, I was coming for her.
Chapter Thirteen
~BETTY~
The Golden Oldiesplayed old movies, mostly black and whites, likeArsenic and Old LaceorThe Philadelphia Story. But occasionally, they played movies from the sixties, seventies, and eighties. I grinned when I looked up at the marquee that readBarefoot in the Park—starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.
“So awesome,” I said, standing in front of the theater, Bennett beside me.
“Come on,” he chuckled, ushering me toward the entrance with a hand at my back, his fingers coasting softly. I couldn’t help but lean in closer to him, relishing his amazing scent.
His honey-brown eyes flashed fiercely at me before he purchased our tickets at the fifties-style ticket booth with room enough for one person inside.
I was still working up the nerve to tell him how I felt. I wasn’t shy, but I was nervous that maybe I was misreading all the signals. Then his hot gaze dropped down my body again, and I knew I wasn’t. Still, I wasn’t sure how to say it.
Hey, I know I’ve been kind of a bitch to you, but I’ve decided I like you and your pretty face. Also, let’s have sex.
Nope. I needed something more subtle and less desperate.
When we walked into the lobby, I marveled at the art deco. “This is so cool. I’ve never been here since they renovated.”
“No? You’ve been missing out. They’ve got reclining chairs and even sell adult beverages now.” He pointed to the snack bar that listed the regular movie snacks but also included beer and wine.
“Okay, now that’s amazing.” I looked up at him, hitching in a breath at the hungry look in his whiskey-gold eyes.
We held, simply staring. Then he stepped up to get us drinks and snacks.
I watched him, thinking of the story he’d told at dinner. I could easily imagine a rambunctious, daring adolescent, Bennett. I’ll bet he was quite a devil to raise. But also, I loved hearing how the near-drowning of his brother had taught him early on that there were consequences to your actions. And he cared—very deeply—for his family.
It had opened my eyes to the man he truly was. One with depth and honor and loyalty. Not the man I thought I knew that first day at rehearsal.
His fierce loyalty to his family called to me most of all. Perhaps because I knew what the opposite felt like from my father. I could only imagine what it would be like to be on the receiving end of such devotion. The very thought set off a flock of flutters in my stomach. And fear.
I decided to ignore the fear for now.
“Let’s sit in the back,” I pointed to the back rows as we walked into the darkened theater. “I like to sit up high.”
