Page 35 of Hot n Bothered

I sobelle had to admit that the cut of the dress did look cute on her and that’s why she walked out to the poolside with her head held high.

She could see her mother frowning at her as she sat at the table in the shade.

“You should get some more sun my darling. Some colour might help you. You’re far too pale.”

Inside her head Isobelle was fist pumping and laughing maniacally. She had been waiting for this comment since Bianca had given her the perfect comeback. Outwardly though she gave a small calm smile.

“Oh I’m not pale. I’m alabaster and I’m rocking it.”

Ben gave her an impressed look. “Where do you want your kiss?” He asked.

She turned her cheek up smiling as he pressed his lips to it.

“See, much better than a pinch.”

She just blew a raspberry at him as he placed her writing bag next to her with a toasted bagel.

“Coffee?”

“Oooh please.”

He looked up. “Anyone else?”

“I’ll have a slimline tonic. Ice and a twist of lime.” Her mother said not looking up from her gossip magazine.

“I’ll have the same.” T said, stretching her legs again to rub sun cream on. But Ben wasn’t even looking her way.

“I’ll help you.” A was suddenly by his side, throwing a smirk to her sister.

Ben shrugged. “If you want.”

“I’m surprised you accepted that.” T said after they had gone inside.

“Accepted what? A coffee? Why wouldn’t I accept it?”

“Letting Ben and Tanya be alone like that.”

Isobelle narrowed her eyes behind her sunglasses. It was obvious what she was trying to do, absolutely no subtlety about it.

“Why would I be bothered?” She asked flicking through her notebook to get to the right page. “Are you suggesting my own sister would try and steal my boyfriend away from me?” She looked over to her, an innocent look on her face. “That’s not a nice thing to say about Tanya.”

“What’s not a nice thing to say about Tanya?” Her father asked as he came outside. “Are you trying to start an argument again Isobelle?” He frowned at her.

“Of course not. I’m just pointing out that Anya has said Tanya is the type of person who would try and steal her sister’s boyfriend. Which isn’t very nice.”

“I did not! You’re trying to twist my words again, you…”

“Actually, you did imply that she should be worried about Ben being alone with your sister.” Their mother said.

Isobelle was shocked to hear her mother sticking up for her for once.

If she wasn’t already sat she would’ve fallen over.

Just then Ben came out carrying a tray of drinks, A was walking in front of him swinging her hips in a way that had Isobelle biting back a sigh.

A glanced over her shoulder to see if Ben was watching, but he was smiling at Isobelle as he put their drinks on the table.

“Oh, I’m sorry Mr Anderson. Would you like a drink?” He said as he passed her mother hers.

“I am fine for now Benjamin.”

“It’s just Ben.”

“I prefer to call people by their given name.”

“It’s still Ben.”

“Really?” His tone said he didn’t believe him.

She couldn’t believe how rude he was being to Ben. Who was he to question his own fucking name?

“Yes. I was named after my Great-Grandfather. My mum asked my nan which way it was spelt as she had seen his medals and she wanted to get it right on the birth certificate. Apparently even he didn’t know how to spell his name.

It was common for him to change the way he wrote it each time he needed to use his full name.

” He shrugged as he sat opposite Isobelle.

“He always went by Ben anyway so rather than confuse things further I have been simply Ben from birth.”

“Did you know that Izzy?” A asked.

She nodded. “It’s true. He got the medals and certificates framed for his nan’s 90 th . I went with him. One is awarded to a Benjamin with a J and the other to a Bengamin with a G.”

Her father snorted. “Who spells Benjamin with a G?”

“Lot’s of people.”

“My Great-Grandfather for one.” Ben replied smoothly.

Isobelle had to cover her mouth so he wouldn’t see her fighting a smile.

“So you think you know Ben well do you?” A asked.

“I should do.”

“How about we play a game then?”

“Oh yes. A game would be fun.” T clapped her hands together. “Get some paper and a pen. Then Ben you come sit over here.” She patted her own sun lounger shamelessly, ignoring A’s glare at her. “We ask questions, Ben writes down the answers and let’s see if Izzy can get the same answer.”

“Do I really need to sit that far away?”

“It will stop Izzy cheating.”

“I could always turn my back as he writes.” Isobelle suggested.

“That will work. Have you got a blank pad?” He smirked at her look, of course he knew she had one.

“Is this game really necessary?” Their father asked.

Isobelle shrugged. “It will help you get to know him better. I don’t mind, do you Ben?”

He grinned widely at her, knowing what the twins were up to and knowing full well they were going to destroy them.

“First question. What’s Ben’s favourite thing to eat.” A asked.

Isobelle didn’t turn quick enough, Ben’s wicked grin and quick pump of his eyebrows told her exactly what he was thinking. She spun round with a coughed laugh and a red face.

“Done.” Ben said.

“He’s written crisp sandwiches hasn’t he?” She said. “Honestly and you’re such a good cook as well.”

Ben chuckled. “What? They are so good.”

“What about Izzy’s?” Her mother asked. “Only fair to see if he knows her as well as she knows him.”

“Easy. Fresh seafood, any and all sorts. But if pushed, it’s squid.”

Isobelle nodded.

“Favourite film?” T asked.

Ben laughed. “Too easy. Beauty and the Beast for my Belle.”

“Anything Disney for Ben.” She said. “His favourite changes all the time, but it’s always Disney.”

“Favourite drink?”

“Tea.” They both answered together laughing.

“Favourite song?”

Isobelle snorted. “Same answer as film. My man is a Disney fiend.”

“Your man huh?”

She turned to see him grinning widely.

“I like the sound of that. You gonna keep calling me that?”

“Oh sorry, I meant my puppy.” There was his adorable snort laugh.

“So what’s Izzy’s favourite song?” A asked.

“Hang on. She could say anything and he’ll just agree.” T said.

“I’ll write down what I think. Not sure if it’s her favourite, favourite but it’s the one she’s listening to non-stop at the moment.”

“You’ve written it?”

“I have. Please don’t make me wrong here and ruin our streak.”

“Did you put Taylor Swift All Too Well, ten-minute version?”

“Yes.”

“Ha! We’re so good.”

“Looks like we’ll have to make it harder for them.” T said.

“What was your first date?”

Isobelle waited for Ben to finish writing. “Coffee shop.”

“Nope. I told you that doesn’t count.”

“It was the first time we went out together as a couple. Just because it was a disaster doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Did you put the museum?”

Her mother started laughing. “He’s written I want to say museum because the coffee shop was a disaster. But she will say coffee shop.”

“Why was it a disaster?” Her father asked.

Ben groaned and dropped his head on the table as Isobelle giggled.

“He tripped carrying the tray of drinks. Not only spilling ours, he also knocked a table spilling all theirs.”

“Then I knocked another table and spilled their drinks.” He lifted his head to flash a wry grin. “Then when we’d finally gotten everything cleaned up and replaced, they were terrible drinks.”

“You should’ve complained.” Her father said.

Isobelle smiled at Ben. “That’s not Ben’s style. He’s too nice and sweet.”

“What other dates have you been on?” A asked.

“Loads. Oh, I did really enjoy that restaurant you took me to the other week.” She said, then turned to A. “It was the best. Only served starters. The squid was to die for.”

“My favourite was the arcades.” Ben said. “Anything with lots of laughter from you works for me.”

“I refer you back to our first date.”

“That was laughter at me. Totally different thing.” He sniffed.

“I do believe a lot of my laughter at the arcades was also at you and your terrible scores.”

“Meanie.”

“Your girlfriend is a meanie. Get used to it.”

That cute snort laugh would always be her favourite.

“If I might be so bold. Exactly what was it that attracted you to Izzy?” her mother asked.

Ben leaned his elbow on the table, hand under his chin as he looked at Isobelle. He really was a good liar, his expression looked almost lovesick.

“Her smile.” He said softly. “It’s the way she lights up when she smiles.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it, it’s so genuine and pure.

I kept trying to make her smile each time I saw her.

Then I suddenly realised it wasn’t just her smile I wanted to see.

It was her. All of her, good days, bad days.

It didn’t matter. I just felt complete when she was there. ”

Damn. Make that the best liar in the world.