Convenience

Part 88

David looked anxious. Beatrice held his gaze and tried not to look as uncomfortable as she felt. Still, she hesitated. She said, tentatively, "I am staying at Granger Hotel."

David blinked.

Beatrice sighed. "Bring the document." She dropped eye contact. But her voice was stronger "I will sign it." I should have signed that divorce document many years ago, she thought. Signing was meant to signal the end.

Yes, we could meet, and not talk about their divorce, he thought. David frowned, murmured, "Sign." What was he going to do? He wasn't interested in a divorce. Now wasn't the right time to tell her that she was wrong. But he didn't want to upset her any further. "Ok." He agreed, hoping that he was doing the right thing. David proposed, "7 pm? Tonight?"

Beatrice nodded. "It won't take up much of your time." Escape was tangible. She laced her fingers, and tried to maintain eye contact and kept her smile. She was desperate to lick her suddenly dry lips.

"So 7pm?" David persevered, and added, "Dinner? She was waiting for an opportunity to leave. He knew that. "Why don't we just sit down and talk about this, over a dinner?" His softly spoken request had a husky depth that made her heart somersault. No, no, no, she reminded herself. This meeting was to end this relationship, not start a new relationship, just because of her heart's somersault, her brain reminded her. How, said her heart?

Beatrice indistinctly, hoping that the panic and alarm that she was feeling did not show. "As I said, it would take up much of your time. We don't need dinner! No need. We don't have to talk about the divorce. Just sign the document."

David assessed the circumstances and debated. He cajoled gently, "Ok, why don't we meet, and then decide if we want to eat?" His mouth held an exasperated slant. He had to be careful. This time he was going to think before he spoke. Not one word was going to leave his lips until his brain had sifted through the consequences. Of course he knew she could be stubborn, but he also knew she was a rational woman. So he waited, his eyes holding hers, as he waited to see what she would do. She took a while. He inquired in a more humble, gentle tone. "Ok?"

"We don't need dinner." Her reply was emphatic. She flicked him a questioning look, "I just have to signed. The end."

For a second they both just looked at each other. A few seconds elapsed.

Time to change his attitude but still stick with his normal practice, be upfront. "We need to talk, Beatrice. It will take more that signing." The teasing lights had appeared in his eyes, and the smile had switched from fake to genuine. She could see his thoughts mirrored in his eyes. He smiled at her.

Beatrice hesitated. Suppressing an unexpected breathlessness. Smiling at her was devastating. Again. She hoped her emotions weren't visible in her eyes.

She can't understand her reactions. She hadn't thought about that: the effect of his smile on her. It would take immeasurable will to say no. So she answered quickly before her heart ruled her head. "Fine." She looked at him.

"Can you let go of my door?" She knew she was going to start behaving like a teenager with a crush. This was not expected. Her reactions. His reactions. His gentleness. His empathy. She said firmly but politely, "I must be going."

He turned on the charm. "So, 7pm, Granger Hotel, tonight." He held onto the door.

"Yes." Then adding quickly, "I will meet you in the foyer." He banked his smile. She suppressed the urge to groan in frustration. "Now, let go!"

David nodded. She got into her car. She acknowledged his actions, "Thanks." He waited for her to settle, before he closed her door.

She clipped in her seat belt and she flicked her indicator on.

David waved as Beatrice drove off. But he muttered beneath his breath, "This isn't over yet." He shoved his hands into his pockets, and remained there. He watched her car. After the car vanished, he turned around and walked back to his office. His mind wasn't on the work he had to do at his office. David muttered to himself. Definitely time to fix his mistakes. And he hoped, that Beatrice would understand him.

Beatrice kept her sanity by simply remembering that tonight would be the last time she would have to meet him. Her heart told her, she had other options, like seeing him again, over, and over. Her head told her that she was not going to get involved with the man. That battle went on as she drove to her hotel.