What You Don't Know (Sequel to "Secret Love")(Hunter Hayes/James Marsden)

Deception

The next morning, Bethany's phone woke her with its shrill, nerve-shredding ring. She groaned, tossing her pillow over her head and trying to ignore it. Who could possibly be calling her at - she peeked out from under the pillow to check the time on the small hotel clock - eight thirty in the morning?

Eventually, the silence-shattering noise died down, and she sighed in contentment. Just as she was moving the pillow back down under her face, the ringing started up again, and she pushed out of bed with a frustrated cry. She rubbed her eyes so she could see the screen, and groaned again when she saw who was calling.

"Hello?"

"Bethany? Where are you? It's almost noon!" Trenton's voice was reprimanding, but she was more confused than chastised. She had just checked the clock; it had clearly said eight thirty-eight!

"No it's not! It's eight thirty..." she trailed off, looking back at the little clock and cursing under her breath. The bright red numbers were flickering, flashing eight thirty-eight even as her phone proclaimed it to be eleven forty-five.

"Oh, my gosh. I'm so sorry! I'm on my way, I promise." She scrambled around the hotel room, pulling on her pants over her pajama shorts and holding her phone to her ear between her cheek and shoulder. "The power must have gone off for a minute last night. I overslept. I'm so sorry! I'm coming, I swear!"

Trenton laughed on the other end, surprising her yet again.

"It's okay, Bethany. Calm down. Take your time. I'll meet you at McKey's for lunch, all right? We're having rehearsal outside of town later. All right? Half an hour. See you there."

Without giving her the chance to reject the offer, he hung up and she threw her phone on the bed, scrambling to finish dressing. She fished her favorite red shirt out of her temporary drawers and brushed on some mascara. As an afterthought, she tied her hair back in an elegant knot and slipped into her professional heels. Moments later, she had her purse slung over her shoulder and was rushing out the front door of the hotel, signaling for a cab to take her to McKey's.

The door of the cab swung closed and she sighed into the seat, hoping that McKey's sold coffee.

When she finally arrived at the small, urban diner, she was digging in her purse for her wallet, but was stopped by Trenton suddenly opening the door and handing a wad of cash to the driver.

"Keep the change," he said, turning his gaze to Bethany. "I have to escort a beautiful woman to lunch."

He held his hand out to her, and she could not stop the blush from rising in her cheeks. He winked at her, looping her hand onto the crook of his elbow and leading her into the cafe. She watched as he let her walk in ahead of him, then stayed to hold the door for the customers who were entering behind her. She tucked a stray hair back behind her ear and bit her lip, watching his easy humor with the elderly couple.

Who is this man? I've never seen this side of him before.

"So," Trenton began, finally making his way back to her and gesturing towards the ordering counter. "Shall we?" She nodded emphatically, suddenly overwhelmed by hunger. He placed his hand on the small of her back and left it there as she scanned the menu.

Bethany felt her heartbeat racing, but she was not sure why. Was it from fear of him? Or simply because he was touching her? Was it the way his thumb drew circles in her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt, or the slight pressure he used to propel her towards the cashier?

She fanned herself, wishing she had worn shorts. What is happening to me? She placed her order and tried to ignore it, but when Trenton leaned over and stopped her from pulling her wallet from her purse with one restraining hand on hers, she practically jerked away in shock.