You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(15)

I pushed my book aside now that I couldn’t concentrate. Our lives would be different from that point onward. I sincerely hoped Cayson and Skye could be friends like they used to be. I didn’t want to pick sides, especially since I didn’t know why they broke up.

Someone approached our table, but I was so absorbed in my thoughts I wasn’t paying attention.

“Hey, Beatrice,” Theo said.

I was pulled back to reality. My eyes moved to hers. “Hey.” I sat up straight, realizing I was slouching.

“Is everything okay?” she asked. Her hair was pulled back in a slick ponytail, and she wore tight jeans with heeled boots. A red cardigan made her look classy. I usually hated it when girls put their hair up, but she looked beautiful no matter what she did.

“Yeah…I just got some news I didn’t expect.”

“Oh, well I hope everything is alright.” She had a brown bag over her shoulder.

“What are you doing down here?” I asked. She usually stayed on the second floor.

“Well, I remember you mentioned you come down here sometimes…”

She came down here just to see me? “Yeah, my friends and I claimed this table freshman year.”

Silke was smiling at her then giving me a distinct look.

I ignored her then tapped the seat next to me. “Would you like to join us?”

“Sure.” She moved into the seat beside me and put her purse down.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your…friend?” Silke gave me a threatening look. I knew she would tease me mercilessly once Beatrice was gone.

I turned to Beatrice. “This is my annoying friend, Silke. Silke, this is my friend, Beatrice.”

They shook hands.

“How do you know Conrad?” Silke asked.

“We met a few months ago at a speed dating event,” Beatrice said. Her voice was deep and hypnotic. “We’ve been friends ever since.”

Silke nodded her head slowly. “Conrad…friends with a girl?”

I threatened Silke with my eyes, telling her not to say something stupid.

Silke took the hint and fell silent.

There was an awkward silence at the table. I felt it, and so did the others. I knew Silke had a million questions for me. She knew there was no way in hell I’d just be friends with a woman as gorgeous as Beatrice. I’d never brought a girl around my friends before so I knew Silke would assume the worst.

“I’m excited for Christmas,” Theo said. “My mom makes the best pecan pie.”

“My mom’s is better,” Silke argued.

“I’m just excited to see everyone,” I said.

“You mean Roland,” Silke teased. “You love him.”

Theo shifted his weight uncomfortably. “I’m pretty cool to hang with…”

“Awe, Theo is jealous,” Silke said.

“Am not,” Theo snapped. “Are you bringing that mysterious boyfriend of yours?”

“Maybe,” she said vaguely.

“He better wear a bullet proof vest,” I said. “Because he’s going to be taking a lot of hits from us.”

She rolled her eyes. “If my dad and brother aren’t protective of me, then you don’t need to pick up the slack.”

“You’re still family,” I said.

“We’re like your brothers,” Theo said.

Beatrice smiled. “That’s so cute.”

“Are you coming to Christmas?” Silke asked Beatrice.

Beatrice flinched slightly, obviously uncomfortable by the question.

I wasn’t planning on asking her. We were just friends. But then I remembered she didn’t have a mom and she wasn’t speaking to her father. And she didn’t seem to have a relationship with her brother. Maybe I should ask her…

“Oh no,” Beatrice said gracefully. “But your family does sound lovely.”

I turned to her. “Would you like to?” I asked hesitantly. “You’re more than welcome.”

“Uh…” Beatrice tried to find a response.

“Our family is loud and fun,” Silke said. “You’ll have a great time. We usually play games and open gifts then get drunk. It’s pretty spectacular.”

Beatrice fidgeted with her hair.

“You don’t have to,” I said quickly. “But I know you would be welcome. My family always says the more, the merrier.”

She still didn’t say anything.

I felt bad for putting her on the spot. “Think about it and let me know later.” I hoped that would decrease the tension.

“Okay,” she said. “Thanks for the invite.”

“Sure,” I said.

Theo changed the subject and started talking about his work problems with that Alex girl. We listened but I still found it hilarious that a girl beat him up. I was curious to see what she looked like. If she was tiny, that would only make the story better.

Theo turned to Beatrice. “Sorry I asked if you were into anal when we first met.”

Silke blanched. “What did you ask her?”

Beatrice had the grace to smile. “It’s quite alright. I get that question a lot.”

“The answer to that is no,” I said with a smirk. “If you were still wondering.”