22. Beatrice

22

BEATRICE

The heaviness of earlier is gone as I sit next to Essex at a table on the wide porch of Daisy's. The building is pale blue with white trim. Daisies and other colorful flowers line the railing, adding a cheerful touch to the peaceful atmosphere. The sound of birds chirping in the distance completes the idyllic scene, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing lunch. Daisy herself is in her forties with blonde hair in a high ponytail.

From what I can tell, the six Redd brothers are regulars, but they don't usually have female company here. It doesn't surprise me that they do elsewhere, because I've already figured out that they like the women. Violet knows that about Ridge, so I'm not sure why she's been teasing him for half the day.

Violet is currently sitting across from me, with Ridge on one side and Galen on the other. I admit I'm a little preoccupied with Ridge. The man is obviously frustrated, and it has everything to do with my friend. I can't help but wonder what exactly is going on between them. As I watch their interactions, it becomes clear that there is more going on than meets the eye. Perhaps Violet's teasing is a way to mask her true feelings for Ridge, and he seems equally conflicted about his feelings for her.

Essex slides a hand up my thigh very slowly; it's only when it reaches under my skirt that I catch it. Laughing, I move in and plant a kiss on his waiting mouth. "Don't get dirty at the table," I whisper.

"I want to get dirty with you." His lips brush my earlobe and my body tingles.

He pulls away laughing, his eyes full of excitement.

Food arrives, silencing the conversation. "This looks good." I pick up my grilled chicken and bacon sandwich and take a big bite.

Essex rolls his eyes and begins to eat his own lunch. I glance at Violet, who is quiet for once. Nico catches my eye as he makes a hissing sound and curses under his breath.

I frown at the man next to me. "You'll see," he says under his breath.

"Ridge!" a woman shouts in a high-pitched voice.

I glance to the side and see the two girls I saw with Ridge yesterday. I wince. I'm not sure this is going to go over well with Violet.

I shoot my eyes at Ridge, who looks more resigned than anything else. I kick him under the table. When he catches my eye, I glance at Violet, who has a frown between her brows.

Ridge curses, but he doesn't have a chance to get to his feet before both women converge on him. The woman with the big breasts has no qualms about shoving herself between Ridge and Violet. Her assets are shoved in Ridge's face while her ass sends Violet's lunch to the floor. Violet looks horrified and her lip quivers.

"I've got to do something," I say to Essex, who has the other woman's purse slamming into his arm.

Angrily, I grab the strap of the purse and pull hard. The woman jerks around. Her eyes widen in shock as she sees the anger on my face. "Touch my boyfriend again and I'll rip every single hair extension out of your ugly head!"

"Way to go!" Nico laughs.

I look at Violet and she's sitting on Galen's lap. His arms are wrapped tightly around her waist, and she looks comfortable, if upset. Galen hands Violet to Boone, then stands and glares at his twin. "What the hell, Ridge!" he bellows.

To be fair, Ridge is trying to get free of the grabbing hands of these women. His brothers don't seem inclined to help. I guess he got himself into this.

Nico hisses. "Get rid of them. I can't eat with that noise or that sight. Turns my fucking stomach."

Galen turns and pulls Violet to him, whispering in her ear. Whatever he says, Violet nods. This interaction does not go unnoticed by Ridge. The man's face is red, but it's more anger than embarrassment.

I glance over at Violet and see that she's hurt. "Violet, what happened to your arm?"

Well, that snaps Ridge out of his harem haze. "You're hurt? Let me see?" He tries to push the woman away; meanwhile, Galen comes between Ridge and Violet. "I'll take Violet somewhere else to eat since her food is on the floor. Thanks to you!“ Galen tightens his lips. “We're out of here." He puts a protective arm around Violet and leads her out of Daisy's.

I throw down my napkin. "I'm done too." I stand and stomp off, Essex following me.

"Slow down, baby."

"I knew it, Essex! I knew what he was like, but I never expected that back there." I point. "In fact, I'm not even sure what that was."

Essex grabs my hands and pulls me to him. "That was Trixie and Dolly laying claim to my idiot brother because they saw how close he was sitting to Violet."

"Let's go back. Give Galen some time with Violet. He's nicer than Ridge." I notice the frown on Essex's face. "Ridge isn't going to change. He hurt Violet today. Not on purpose, but it happened. He should have been more sensitive. And now Violet needs someone who understands her pain, and that is Galen."

"You're right." With an arm around my shoulders, Essex leads me back to Daisy’s. All eyes are on us, and I notice Ridge looking behind me. He doesn't look so happy, and it's his own damn fault.

"That was uncool," Essex sits down next to me again.

"I'm sorry, Bea," Ridge winces and finally looks embarrassed. "Where did Violet go?"

"I have no idea," I reply, trying to hide my annoyance. "Galen will take care of her." I shrug. "I know she has no claim on you, but after being with her all morning, I expected better from you."

Ridge grunts and drops his head in his hands. "I'll go find her. Apologize."

"No!" we all snap.

"She was really upset, Ridge. Leave her alone. Besides, she's jailbait , remember?" I pick at the potato chips next to my sandwich, ignoring the rest of the conversation.

Galen and Ridge are twins, but Galen is the one I want for my friend. Maybe she'll see he's the better choice.

As I walk toward the boat where Galen and Violet are, I feel loved wrapped in Essex's arms. "Today was amazing." I confess. "I enjoy being here more than you know."

"I'd keep you here forever if I could."

I smile at his words. We are both young. I know that. But I feel in my head and in my heart that I'm meant to be with this man.

The buzzing of my phone interrupts the beautiful solitude. I pull my phone out of my pocket and frown when I don't recognize the number. I answer it anyway.

"Hello?"

"Have I got the right number for Beatrice Lincoln?"

"You do. Who is this?" I turn and catch Essex's eye. I shrug, wondering what's going on.

"My name is AJ Hitchcock, attorney. My office is in Columbus, Georgia."

"Um, okay. What do you want with me?"

"First, I want to say that I am terribly sorry for the loss of your mother. She loved you very much." He clears his throat and continues, "I'm here to help you with the legal affairs of her estate."

Tears begin to trickle from my eyes and Essex looks at me sympathetically, his fingers brushing them away.

"So, Beatrice... may I call you Beatrice?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Essex rolls his eyes and kisses my cheek.

"Mr. Hitchcock,” I catch Essex’s eyes at the name, “can you please tell me why you are calling me and not my...father?" I hate to use that name for him now.

"Well, that would be because I have been instructed by Elisabeth to speak only to you. You are her sole beneficiary."

My mouth falls open. "Oh!"

"I just wanted to check in with you today, but I will see you tomorrow after the funeral." The phone goes dead.

"Richard's not going to like that."

"Tomorrow will be very difficult for you." Essex drops his forehead to mine. "I can hide in your room, so I'll be there if you need me."

"It won't be safe. I'll come to you. Tomorrow night. I promise."

"How can I apologize if you won't let me?" Ridge shouts at Violet, interrupting my conversation with Essex.

I sigh. "Not again." I look at Essex. "What's going on now?"

"Ridge back off," Galen says. "I'm taking her home."

"Violet came with me. She's going with me!" Ridge tells Galen firmly.

"I'm right here!" Violet snaps. "Galen, I will go with you. Thank you." She faces Ridge. "My crush on you is cured!" She sticks her nose in the air and walks past where Galen is helping her onto his bike.

"Fuck!" Ridge curses and walks away.

"We better go, too," Essex says. "I can't come over tonight. I have a job to finish."

"Because you played hooky today?"

"Hmm, but I got to spend it with you, so it was worth it."

"You make my heart pound, amongst other things," I tease.

He grins broadly. "Other things, huh?"

I wrap my arms around his neck and whisper, "Get us some alone time on your boat and I'll let you touch those other things, and you can see for yourself how my body reacts to you."

"Baby, you're killing me."

"I'm wet and aching for you too."

"Shit! Get on the bike."

I giggle. "Are you sure?"

He lets out a chuckle. "Considering Ridge is hiding on the boat, yeah, I am."

"Okay." I brush against his erection, terribly pleased with myself.