Chapter19
Peter satnext to Belle and across from her friend Em. Belle's natural apple smell wet his appetite, and he told the waitress who came for their order, "Pollo con quimbobó yplatanos."
Belle's eyebrows raised. "What chicken meal did you justorder?"
He leanedcloser 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 andplantains."
Belle then told the waitress, "I'll have the samething."
Her friend read the menu again and said, "I'd like a cheese burger plate withfries."
As the waitress took the menus and left, Belle said, "You should try newfoods,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 haveoneyet?"
"Onewhat?"
"Resolutions?"
Peter nodded. Belle's friend clearly liked to lead the conversation. "I'm hoping to balance my life morethisyear."
Belle's gaze turned to the sky, as if she went into deep thought. "This year was a tidalwave for me. I'd like next year to simply be more like a regular wave in the ocean. I'll make myresolutionssoon."
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 onmyself."
Belle's smile lit up his heart and made him feel lighter. He massaged her knee. "Em's getting worried about thealligators."
"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 respectnature."
Em sipped her soda as she gazed at him. "That goes for humanstoo,no?"
He picked up his fork and shrugged. "Most especially in business. Instincts go hand in hand withgoals."
As they all chewed their first bite,Em wiped her lips and asked, "So what are your intentions for myfriend?"
Peter squeezed Belle's knee. "Excuseme?"
Em's gaze drifted to Belle. "Do you want to marry Belle and help her raise unbornchildren?"
Belle's lips parted. She wiped her lips and shook her head. "Em, that's a littleextreme."
Em played with a french fry in her hand as she turned her head backto Peter. "No it's not. The lawyer in me wants toprotectyou.”
Belle’s face turned red as she shook her head. “That’snice…”
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 wantthosethings."
Peter finished a bite of his food as heassessedher.
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 makeassumptions."
"We all know you're worth it,Belle."
Peter’s deep voice then said, "Your friend is right. You are worth far more than yourealize."
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. Monopolyanymore."
