The Best Laid Plans (Brothers of the Bayou) Read Free Page A

jealous,” Andre laughed and handed Beaux a bag filled with their dinner. He nodded toward Daniella standing at the entrance with her mouth gaped open at the intimate display of affection she had just witnessed between her ex-fiancé and some girl she had never seen.  Envy seethed out of her and Mr. Moneybags tugged her arm, anxious to remove his wife from this embarrassing and awkward scene.
    Beaux nodded too stunned to even speak.  Never in his life had he done something so rash and stupid.  Never before in his life had something felt so right and perfect, but he didn’t want to deal with that right now.  The pure attraction and need he felt kissing Lacy had to be a fluke and was a complication into his life that he did not welcome. He paid Andre and walked out afraid to face Lacy. The look on her face as she stormed off told him he wouldn’t get out of this without an as s-chewing which he admittedly well deserved.  
    She stood by his truck with smoke in her golden flecked eyes. He approached cautiously as if afraid she would slug him. 
    “Uh, Lacy…”  Before he could say another word, she put her hands up, bringing his head down to meet her lips. Just as he had done moments earlier, she drew him into another kiss full of anger and sweet torture.  Except this time she was in control. When Beaux let a moan escape she broke off the kiss and pushed herself away from him.
    “Now that we’re even, would you mind telling me what the hell that was all about?”  She spoke in even tones that belied her racing heart and torrent of hormones threatening to overcome.
    “My ex-fiancé walked in with her new husband,” he said as if that alone should explain everything. There was no justifiable excuse and he knew that.
    “So you used me as a pawn in some twisted game to make her jealous?” Beaux expected her to be pissed but instead she just looked hurt.
    “It’s not like that,” he mumbled.  He couldn’t even look her in the face because he knew damn well that’s exactly what it was like.
    “Let’s just forget it happened.  This week doesn’t need to become any more complicated than it already is.” She turned and got into the truck, slamming the door shut behind her.
    Gone was the arrogant Beaux she had met earlier in the day.  Now he just looked sad and contrite as he climbed into the driver’s seat.  Knowing he had remorse, made her feel a little better and truthfully she wasn’t all that mad at him.   She really was just hurt that she had once again been used by a member of the male species and mad at herself for enjoying the kiss and not being able to cool the heat ignited inside of her.
    Complete silence reigned on the drive back to Justin and Sara’s home, both Beaux and Lacy lost in thought. 
    “Would you mind taking the food in please? I have to make a phone call,” Beaux asked in the first words spoken since leaving the café parking lot.  The phone call was a cover up but he needed time before facing Justin and Sara.  If he didn’t gather his wits and soon, they would know something was amiss.
    “Sure.” Lacy grabbed the bag and went inside eager to put some distance between them.
    Beaux stood outside his truck, running a hand through his hair out of nervous habit. The whole ordeal left him shaken and he had no idea what to do now.  Oddly, he felt no joy at seeing the jealousy marked on Daniella’s face.  In fact, he found a small amount of pity for the man she married, knowing that she didn’t love him.  Amidst his jolted emotions he had a moment of clarity about the type of woman Daniella really was and found himself wondering what type of woman Lacy was.
    His phone rang and he didn’t recognize the number, but answered anyway since he claimed to have a phone call to make.  A telemarketer droned on about the latest offering in satellite TV and Beaux listened to his spiel before hanging up.   Taking one last deep breath he walked up to the house.  Somehow he would