Page 26 of Hot n Bothered
I sobelle was exhausted by the time they got back to the villa. Her mother and the twins were on top form with their back-handed compliments. She tried to not let them get to her, but it was such a constant bombardment. Not only that they’d had years to perfect their aim.
Ben had helped by whispering in her ear. “I would suggest a drinking game. Take a sip each time your mother calls you my darling. But that might kill us.”
Her bursting out laughing had annoyed the twins more than her parents. Even more when Ben had said it was a private joke.
All through the meal, he had been attentive. Arm around the back of her chair, tucking her hair behind her ear, talking quietly to her. Anyone looking at him would easily believe he was a man in love. That was until they looked at her and realised she wasn’t a match for him.
She was super proud and a little smug when Ben was recognised, She was about to offer to take pictures when her father rudely shut them down. Of course Ben being Ben, he went to their table to apologise and signed some autographs.
“Is he that desperate for attention?” Her father muttered.
“No. He doesn’t like this side of it.” She said. “But he also understands he wouldn’t be where he is without his fans, so he’s never rude to them.”
“More like he’s off getting phone numbers.” T smirked. “That brunette is flirting with him.”
“So? She can flirt all she wants, I trust him.”
A snorted. “More fool you. Just what incentive does someone as good looking as that have to stay with you?”
“I mean it wouldn’t be the first time you’ve been cheated on.” T said.
That was a direct hit, right into her insecurities and she hated the fact that they were there. That it hurt so much more because of her weaknesses more than she hated T for saying it. Instead of turning to watch Ben shine whilst talking to a much prettier woman, she took a large swallow of wine.
The smiles from the twins showed she was not hiding the cuts their words caused as well as she hoped.
Ben dropped a kiss onto the top of her head as he returned.
“Was that her phone number you put in your pocket?” T asked slyly.
“A bit shameless don’t you think?” Her father said. “Not even being discreet about it?”
“You mean this?” He handed her a piece of paper. “It’s the name and address of a quiet bookshop and coffee shop. She said it would be perfect for Belle to get some writing done.”
“I thought we talked about you stopping with that foolish notion.” Her father said sharply, his glare full force making her want to shrink down.
“Exactly how much of her writing have you read?” Ben’s tone matched his.
“And I’m not talking about what she did in school.
You should be aware Mr Anderson that we talk, so I know you’ve not read anything she has done.
I suggest you refrain from saying it’s foolish until then. Otherwise it reflects badly on you.”
“Excuse me? Who do you think you are?”
“I’m the one who is in love with your daughter.
The fact that you want to crush her dreams, say her work is foolish, silly and ridiculous is bad enough.
To say all that without even knowing just how amazingly talented she is, makes you out to be petty and cruel to her.
That’s your daughter, so imagine how it looks to others.
” He gave a perfect impression of her mother’s smile when she was insulting her.
“Of course, I’m not saying that’s what you are doing.
I’m just saying that’s what it would look like to a casual observer.
” He took a sip of wine as though he hadn’t just insulted him.
Isobelle’s heart was pounding so hard, she wouldn’t be surprised to see the table shaking with each thump. It wasn’t just that he’d actually shut her father up again. Nor that he’d called him out on what he was quite clearly doing. It was mainly what he’d said at the beginning.
I’m the one who is in love with your daughter.
Even though she knew he said it to keep up with the pretence of them going out. The way he said it with such conviction had her almost believing it. She longed to believe it.
Ben had no clue she was feeling this way and started talking about whether he should add a show on the fruit cocktails he had been making. They had agreed that the group with 100% be up to testing his creations.
Then they were laughing as they reminisced about the drunken escapades they'd gotten up to over the years.
“It amazes me how Rob still thinks that he can sing as soon as he gets a drink in him.” She laughed, wiping the tears from her eyes.
“Why don’t you just tell him?” A asked.
“We do. We even show him videos.” Ben chuckled. “And every time he see them he’s says…”
“I’ll never do it again.” Isobelle finished with him laughing. “Darren keeps trying to stop him from having that sixth drink.”
“Sixth drink?”
Ben nodded. “Up to three drinks Rob is the same, four drinks Rob is I love you guys so much Rob.”
“Five drinks Rob is everything is so cute Rob.” Isobelle grinned. “Imagine thinking everything is as cute as a box of kittens. That’s him, it’s actually super cute though.”
“Six drinks Rob is singer Rob.” Ben continued. “Seven drinks is diva Rob.”
“What’s eight drinks?”
“I’m noooooot druuuunk Rob.” Isobelle chuckled. “That’s usually followed by passed out Rob.”
“Let me guess one drink Izzy is drama queen.” A smirked.
“Two drinks is look at me Izzy.” T giggled. “Three drinks is sobbing mess.”
“Four drinks is paranoid mess.” A laughed.
“Now, now girls.” Her mother interjected. “It’s not becoming to tease your sister because of her afflictions.”
Isobelle felt Ben tense beside her, she swallowed the pain and put her hand over his at her waist. He looked at her and she gave a small shake of her head.
He didn’t realise that this was retaliation for him sticking up for her.
If he continued it would just get worse and she was too tired to deal with it right now.
Yes he helped her get out of the bottomless pit she’d been in earlier. But she was now emotionally and physically drained from it. The way he’d kept her laughing had held off this drop, but now she just needed to sleep. Unfortunately in order to be able to, it meant taking their jabs.
“When we get back to the villa I’ll lend you some of my creams.” Her mother said leaning over and pulling at her face. “It should help control these wrinkles that are forming. I’m sure Ben would also appreciate it my darling. Otherwise people will start asking if you are his mother.”
“They’re laughter lines.” She muttered, batting her hand away. “Not wrinkles and I like them.”
“So do I.” Ben smiled down at her. “It shows she spends most of her time being happy.”
“I thought she was supposed to be depressed, not happy.” T snorted. “Or is she making that up as well?”
Isobelle was too tired to argue anymore.
She leant her head on Ben’s shoulder. What was it about him that made her feel so relaxed with him?
She closed her eyes almost melting against him.
When she wasn’t overthinking things he made it so easy to be herself around him.
No masks, no expectations, no pressures.
In fact most of her best memories she had were with him.
She smiled to herself remembering all the times they stayed up later than everyone else just talking, or singing along to all the Disney songs.
How he would always know when she needed to talk about something, just needed to laugh, or needed silence.
She felt his lips against her forehead. “You look shattered.” He said quietly. “Do you want to skip dessert and head back?”
“Give me a minute.” She sighed. “I’m comfy.”
He chuckled. “You always say that right before you fall asleep on me. Do you want me to carry you?”
She snorted at the same time the twins did.
“Told you before. Not going to happen I’d break you.”
“She’d crush you.” T said. “Now I’m sure you’d have no problem carrying me back. Care to prove it?”
Isobelle opened her eyes to see her sister do her big doe eyed simper, complete with hair flick. “My feet are killing me in these heels, will you help me out?”
“Huh, I thought you told me all women know about wearing the right kind of shoes when there was walking involved.” Ben said into her hair.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to pass this time.
I think Belle will need me to lean on.” He helped Isobelle stand up, wrapping his arm around her waist. He held her close all the way back to the villa.
“Get some sleep.” He said pressing a soft kiss to her lips and pushing her into their room. “Apparently I have cocktails to make.”
Isobelle caught a glimpse of T’s smile before she shut the door. Why did she look so smug?