Falling for Bentley (Part One) by Shawnte Borris Page A

forgot how great the cooking is here.”
    Bentley laughed, “I can’t believe you ate it all. I don’t even know where you put it.”
    “My ass.”
    “Well if that is where it went, I’m grateful, because girl, your ass is de-lish-ous.”
    “Funny. Does that line work often?”
    Bentley smirked, “I don’t know, does it?”
    Rolling my eyes, I couldn’t help but giggle.
    “Want to share a piece of strawberry shortcake?”

 

     
     
    JUST AS I asked Haley if she wanted dessert, I saw Mandie walk into the diner. I hope to hell she doesn’t see me. It’s not like I could hide behind a menu, or anything. Like that wouldn’t look weird.
    “Hey, you okay? You zoned out on me.” I heard Haley say.
    “Yeah I just…” and fuck!
    Mandie stood beside Haley, looking her up and down with evil eyes. I could tell what was going to happen before Mandie even opened her mouth. I tried to stop it, but Haley beat me to it, “May we help you?”
    Mandie let out a sneer before walking over to me and running one of her troll nails down my cheek, “You can’t, but Bentley here sure can.”
    “Mandie, get your hands off me.” I shifted in the booth to get some space between us.
    “Bentley, don’t be like that, you know what we had four nights ago was magic. When you are done here with—whatever this is—why don’t you stop by my place and we can finish where we left off. And you can get the t-shirt you left behind.” she purred.
    How in the fuck did I ever find this bitch attractive?
    “Jesus, Mandie, would you leave Bentley alone?” called out Whitney.
    “What? I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I was just saying hello to Bentley, and politely introducing myself to his friend.”
    “Oh, cut the shit,” Whitney huffed. “Haley, this is my second cousin, Mandie. Please don’t mind her, she was just leaving.”
    “I am not.” Mandie snarled, “I was just going to join them.”
    “Well, don’t bother. I was just about to bring them their check,” Whitney hissed.
    “Nonsense, I’ll just slide in beside Bentley, and we’ll have dessert. What is Ms. Maggie’s pie special today?”
    Haley stood, “You know, I just don’t feel like having dessert. Whitney, it was wonderful to meet you. Anytime Travis is at the farm, please don’t hesitate to stop in, okay?” Then she turned to me, “Bentley, I’ll meet you outside, whenever you’re ready.”
    I watched as Haley placed the napkin on the table before walking out of the door. I slid out of the booth and got in Mandie’s face, “I don’t know what the fuck kind of game you’re playing, but knock it the hell off.” Mandie stood there, her mouth hanging open, as I continued, “I can’t believe how you just acted, were you always such a conniving bitch?”
    “You used to think it was my best quality,” she growled back.
    “Yeah, in high school. When are you going to grow the fuck up?” I dug in my pocket and shoved some cash in Whitney’s hand on my way to the door. I looked back at Mandie, shaking my head, “What the fuck was I thinking, ever going out with you?” Then I hurried out of the diner, hoping to save the rest of the day with Haley.
    “That’s fine!” Mandie yelled just as I reached the door. “I was done with you anyways. I need a real man that is actually going to make something of himself, someone other than a washed up nobody.” I stopped, but decided to not make a scene. I pushed the door open and stepped outside.
    I walked over to where Haley was sitting on a bench just a little down the street. “Haley, I’m so…”
    Haley stood and cut me off, “Don’t apologize for what she just did. You and I both know nothing would, or could, control that mouth of hers.”
    “Was she always like this? For the life of me, I can’t see what I ever saw in her.” I said more to myself. The look in Haley’s eyes gave me my answer.
    “That was then, and this is now. The difference between the two of you, Bentley, is you grew up, and