Page 17 of Hot n Bothered

“ L arge latte with an empty cup and this please.” Isobelle looked over to Ben sat on the bench, his leg was bouncing so fast as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

She picked up the bottle of water after paying and waited for the drink.

As she waited she chewed on her nail. Was this a mistake she was making?

It had hurt so fucking much when she thought they might have a chance and he didn’t remember.

Was she just setting herself up for an even bigger heartbreak?

She sighed watching him. He was too sweet for his own good. He really shouldn’t be here, not if it got him that anxious. She shook her head as she collected the drink and made her way over to him. He looked up with a smile that made her melt a little. The smile turned into a frown.

“Aren’t you having one?”

“Of course. Here.” She passed him the water.

“Am I not allowed one?”

She eyed him. “Calm your tits, you’re getting one.”

He snorted a laugh. “I knew I’d get you saying that.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re a bad influence.”

She took the lid off the hot coffee and poured a third of it into the spare cup. After placing that on the bench next to him she filled the rest up with the water.

“There you go. One latte to Ben’s perfect temperature.” She said bowing with a flourish after replacing the lid.

Ben blinked up at her as he took it. “Why did you do that?” He asked.

She shrugged. “It’s early, you need coffee and it saves you walking around with it for twenty minutes until it’s cooled off enough.” She picked up the other cup and started drinking, unlike him she liked her coffee hot.

“You know everyone else just lets me wait.” He looked down at it with a smile.

“You’re the only one who puts cold water in.

When you make a round, I always know I can drink it straight away.

Not to mention you always make sure it’s in my favourite mug, even if you have to wash it.

” He looked up at her, his smile for some reason had her blushing.

“It’s those little things that make you special. ”

Um… What? Had he just said she was special?

“There they are. I hope there’s no sugar or syrup in that.” Her mother was a specialist when it came to ruining the mood. “I’m only helping you look the best you can in a swimsuit my darling.” She flashed a smile.

Ben raised his eyebrows at Isobelle as he drank, who just grimaced. She had hoped to get to the villa before these comments started.

“What is that hideous thing you’re wearing?” T exclaimed. “I swear Izzy it makes you look three times fatter than you are.”

“That would be my favourite hoodie.” Ben said getting up and putting his arm around her. “And I think she looks gorgeous in it.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “But then she might say I’m biased as I think whatever she wears she looks stunning.”

A looked her up and down, making her want to shrink back from her critical look.

“Your favourite hoodie is a Disney one?” She snorted. “I don’t think so.”

“You obviously don’t follow me then.” He replied. “Belle bought me this for my birthday a couple of years back. You’ll find me wearing it on most of the posts that I have clothes on. Since we finally got together, she’s reclaimed it.”

“When you have clothes on?” Her mother gasped horrified. “Do you mean to tell me he’s some kind of porn star ?” She whispered the last words.

Isobelle should be upset, panicking that they were getting the wrong idea.

Normally she would, but the fact that they were stood next to a bookstore with a display that had Ben’s first cookbook in it, just made it so fucking funny.

All her family had to do was glance to the left to see him in his trademark apron on the front of a best-selling book.

She burst out laughing, almost doubling over, tears coming to her eyes, cannot breathe properly laughter. Even Ben was doing his adorable snorts that set her off even more. That succeeded in getting glares from her parents.

“Will you control yourself.” Her mother hissed.

“This is going too far young lady.” Her father’s voice always had that stern disapproval even when snapped in a harsh whisper.

She pointed to the display of books, as she fought to get control back.

“He’s the Hot n Bothered cook.” She giggled. “He’s known for cooking in his apron, only his apron.”

“And you’re going out with him?” T sneered. “How did you two even meet?”

“Through Darren.” Isobelle replied. “They went to uni together. We’ve known each other for about eight years.”

“And you suddenly start going out now?” T’s tone made it clear she didn’t believe a word of it. This was why she’d said this wouldn’t work. No one would ever believe they suddenly got together.

“No suddenly about it.” Ben replied. “Belle had me smitten pretty much from the get-go.” He smiled down at her.

“The more I got to know her the more I liked, but I was too nervous to say anything to her. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship.

It was Darren who saw how I felt and gave me the push to finally do something about it. ”

A had pulled her phone out and was looking at it. Her eyes widened and she showed T. They started whispering together. Oh no that couldn’t be good at all. They were probably looking at his Instagram, now would come the questions about why he never posted about her.

“I’m famished. Shall we get breakfast together?” Ben asked.

“Oh no.” Her mother shook her head. “I’ve told Izzy countless times it’s her insistence of eating breakfast that makes her the size she is.

I mean look at me and her sisters, we never eat breakfast. You’d never see us that fat.

” Her smile seemed to dim slightly at Ben’s tight face.

“It’s a good thing you’re so tall though.

” She patted Isobelle’s cheek. “Otherwise it would be so much worse, you seem to carry it better than some my darling.”

Yep a falling light, or an extremely localised earthquake would be perfect about now.

“Actually, why not?” her father said. “It is a holiday after all. We can get to know each other better.”

Isobelle gulped at the look he shot her. He knew she couldn’t lie and she had a feeling this was going to be an interrogation.

“I must say when Darren asked how difficult it would be to change the person on the tickets. I thought it was because you weren’t coming and he was finally bringing a girl for us to meet.” Her mother said once they were sat in a restaurant . “Not that I don’t want you here my darling.” She added.

Ben shot Isobelle a surprised look at the comment. She pulled out her phone.

Yeah they know. Darren came out to them at 17. Still think it’s a phase

“Don’t be rude Isobelle. Put that phone away.” Her father scolded. “I do believe you have something to tell us, don’t you.”

“T… tell you?” She stammered, had they really been that unconvincing?

“Yes. I called your work to ensure you had booked the correct dates off.”

“You did what?” She whispered, in shock. She was so pissed off by that. She was a grown woman, not a fucking child. This was why she hated being around them, they always made her feel like a useless baby. “Dad I’m 28, you can’t do that. I’m not a child, I can sort out my own time off work.”

“Don’t overreact.”

He always knew how to make her feel like her feelings weren’t valid. But then, she was known for overreacting, was she now? After all she did have a history of being a mess. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d gotten dates wrong.

Ben’s hand squeezed hers as she went to chew on her nail. She looked at him and realised she was overthinking again.

“Anyway.” Her father continued. “They informed me that you had been fired, again.” The disappointment was dripping off his words. “When were you…”

“That’s not true.” Ben’s tone was sharp for him.

“Excuse me? Are you accusing me of lying?”

That headmaster voice caused Isobelle’s anxiety to spike each and every time he used it. Who cares that he retired five years ago. It was only Ben’s thumb rubbing gently over the back of her hand that was helping her stay grounded and not succumb to a panic attack.

“Well since it’s illegal for any company to divulge whether an employee has been fired to a stranger over the phone. Yes, yes I am. The most they can tell you is they no longer work there.”

“So you’re trying to tell me she’s still working there?” Her father’s eyes flashed with triumph, he knew he had Ben there and would use it as an opportunity to talk down to him and try to tear him apart verbally.

“No. I’m telling you she wasn’t fired. We discussed it and since I’m doing so well, I suggested she take time off to concentrate on her writing.”

Isobelle was dumbstruck, first she had never seen Ben look so angry before. And second, she’d never seen her father get silenced like that without a full-on shouting match with Darren.

“But writing isn’t the best career path though.” Her mother said. “I know she thinks her little stories are nice, and I’m sure they are my darling. But it’s not something you can do for a living.”

Ben’s jaw clenched as his eyebrows rose. “Then you obviously have never read any of her books. If you had you would understand just how exceptional Belle is.” He said tightly.

Just then their food arrived breaking the tension that was in the air. Isobelle just pushed the watery muesli, with 0% milk, she’d been pressured into ordering around the bowl. The stuff tasted terrible, but she had already reached her limit on her mother’s helpful tips.

Ben had ordered a massive full English, with an order of pancakes and toast on the side. Even knowing how much that man could put away in one sitting, even she doubted he could finish all that by himself.

He didn’t.

He kept on insisting she try this and that from his plate. Not taking no for an answer and feeding her from his fork, until they were both full. He also insisted on paying for them all, allowing them to linger at the table as T and A wanted to go shopping before they boarded.

“Thank you for that.” She said to him.

“No problem. Just don’t not eat because of what they say. You’re perfect Belle, just the way you are.”

She blushed and nudged him with her shoulder. “I’m not just talking about the food.”

“Neither am I. Come on, I’m sure you could always do with more pens and notepads.”