He held out his hand to shake hers. "Nice to meet you."
She shook his hand, and Belle felt her pulse increase. Peter kept his other hand around her waist, as he said, "Emily, I hope you don't mind, but I had my secretary create a calendar of options for you later today. I want to steal Belle away, but she's been worried about you. So how does jet skiing or a midnight kayak adventure or anything else sound?"
Her lips parted. "I'm going jet skiing?"
He handed her a folder. "Anything you want. The adventure's on me."
She clutched it to her chest like she would refuse to let it go. "This sounds way fun, and I'm sure the guys will love spending time without me. But do you think I could talk with my friend tomorrow for a little while? Coffee or something like that?"
Belle's heart fell in her chest. "Of course, Em. We're always friends."
Em sashayed to the door. "So now that it's settled, let's get lunch so you can be whisked away on your romance, and I'll head off on my adventure."
Belle held him still as Em went forward. She then whispered to him. "Peter?"
He scratched his head. "Yeah?"
She lowered her gaze. "I don't want to be the girl who ditches her friend for a guy."
He traced her face with his hand. "You aren't. You're sweet. She's going to have fun tonight, and right now we'll get lunch together. Relax."
Em motioned for them to come to the door. Belle and Peter followed.
Belle nodded. "Thank you for thinking of Em."
He whispered in her ear, and his breath tickled her neckline. "I did it for selfish reasons."
"And those were?"
"I wanted to spend the evening, alone, with you."
"Yes." She gazed at the ground and ignored the sunshine that hit her head. Em stayed in front of them. "We do have to ensure you stay calm and peaceful."
He held her waist and didn't let go. "It's funny how you clam up in public, Belle. Are you ashamed to hold my hand?"
"I'm not used to being showy on the street."
Em didn't look back. Belle tried to tell her heart to stop its double take near Peter, but it was impossible. Peter's presence set her off course.
Then he whispered in her ear as they strolled down the street, "And we still have to talk about how you're my girlfriend, in private."
This was so perfect. She never thought she'd fall for Peter, but it was getting too hard to say no.
Chapter Nineteen
Peter sat next to Belle and across from her friend Em. Belle's natural apple smell whet his appetite, and he told the waitress who came for their order, "Pollo con quimbobó y platanos."
Belle's eyebrows raised. "What chicken meal did you just order?"
He leaned closer and placed his hand on her knee. He had to touch her in some small way. "This is Miami. I ordered the chicken with okra and plantains."
Belle then told the waitress, "I'll have the same thing."
Her friend read the menu again and said, "I'd like a cheese burger plate with fries."
As the waitress took the menus and left, Belle said, "You should try new foods, Em."
Em shrugged. "New Year's is coming up. I'll make a resolution to change then. Right now I need comfort. Either of you have one yet?"
"One what?"
"Resolutions?"
Peter nodded. Belle's friend clearly liked to lead the conversation. "I'm hoping to balance my life more this year."
Belle's gaze turned to the sky, as if she went into deep thought. "This year was a tidal wave for me. I'd like next year to simply be more like a regular wave in the ocean. I'll make my resolutions soon."
Em shook her head. "Belle is always hard on herself. Don't let her pessimism stop you, Peter."
Belle crossed her arms. "I am hard on myself."
Belle's smile lit up his heart and made him feel lighter. He massaged her knee. "Em's getting worried about the alligators."
"Stay with the tour, and do what the guide says." He swallowed water as the waitress delivered the food. When she left he said, "Always respect nature."
Em sipped her soda as she gazed at him. "That goes for humans too, no?"
He picked up his fork and shrugged. "Most especially in business. Instincts go hand in hand with goals."
As they all chewed their first bite, Em wiped her lips and asked, "So what are your intentions for my friend?"
Peter squeezed Belle's knee. "Excuse me?"
Em's gaze drifted to Belle. "Do you want to marry Belle and help her raise unborn children?"
Belle's lips parted. She wiped her lips and shook her head. "Em, that's a little extreme."
Em played with a french fry in her hand as she turned her head back to Peter. "No it's not. The lawyer in me wants to protect you.”
Belle’s face turned red as she shook her head. “That’s nice...”
Em placed her hand on Belle’s but never let her gaze even blink as she stared at him. “So is it? Most men and women dream about having families. Raising their children, watching them grow up to be happy. Belle shouldn't be stuck with someone who doesn't want those things."
Peter finished a bite of his food as he assessed her.
Belle turned her knees closer to him as she said to her friend, "I don't even know if that's in the cards for me or what I want, Em. Don't make assumptions."
"We all know you're worth it, Belle."
Peter’s deep voice then said, "Your friend is right. You are worth far more than you realize."
They all ate a few bites in silence. Em broke the quiet. "I'm just trying to protect you, and your Peter Morgan doesn't strike me as Mr. Monopoly anymore."
"Mr. Monopoly?" He gently massaged Belle's knee under the table. "I haven't been called that to my face in a while."
Belle pressed her lips together. "She read it in the newspaper."
"It was one of the more amusing names I have been called."
Em gulped her glass of water and then turned toward him. Em lowered her gaze and said, "Lunch was nice. Have fun."
Belle reached across the table and squeezed her friend's wrist.
Em nodded. "Go. I'm getting a fabulous vacation out of the deal."
As they walked out of the restaurant, the sun hit his skull. He hadn't walked in public like this in years. Belle laced her fingers in his as they strolled down the street.
At the corner she whispered, "You should find the time to talk to your mom."
"I don't want to think about that."
Both of his siblings stepped out of a chauffeured town car with frowns on their faces as they approached. Vicki caught them first. "Peter, there you are."
Peter stood straighter. They had something to say, and he'd take the brunt of whatever this was now. "John. Victoria. It's nice to see you. I thought you were leaving on your honeymoon, Vicki?"
John widened his stance. "You left Mom alone in your house."
Peter pressed his lips together and waited for the rest of it. "I did."