As Diane approached the counter, Beth immediately spotted her and offered a warm, sincere smile. "Diane, I'm so sorry about Frank," she said gently. "I'll be at the funeral tomorrow, you can count on that."
Diane gave a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Beth. I really appreciate that. It's been a tough time, but it means a lot to have people like you there."
The atmosphere grew somber for a moment, the weight of loss hanging in the air. But before it could settle too heavily, Beth's eyes drifted past Diane and landed on Mark, her demeanor shifting in an instant. Her eyes widened slightly, and she couldn't help but give him an appreciative once-over. Mark, with his broad shoulders and muscular frame, stood confidently beside Diane, his leather jacket unbuttoned just enough to reveal a hint of his defined chest. His aura was effortlessly magnetic, the kind of masculine presence that made Beth's heart skip a beat.
"Oh, my!" Beth exclaimed, her voice brightening. "Who's this handsome fella, Diane? Your boyfriend?"
Diane quickly shook her head, her cheeks flushing. "No, no, he's not my boyfriend! He's just a friend… Mark, here for the funeral."
Beth's smile softened, though a flicker of sadness crossed her face. "Well, if he's not your boyfriend, then that's good news for some of us," she teased, though there was a bittersweet note in her voice.
She looked at Mark again, taken aback by his confidence, his strong presence—he reminded her of the man she had always dreamed of but never had.
Her thoughts briefly wandered to her own life. She had gotten pregnant at a young age, driven by youthful foolishness and naive ideas of love. It was a mistake that had cost her dearly. The man she had been with, once full of sweet promises, left her the moment he learned of the pregnancy, never looking back. That moment had shattered her, and since then, she had been forced to navigate life's challenges alone. The setbacks had been countless—raising a daughter on her own, juggling jobs, and facing the judgment of those around her. Yet, despite everything, Beth had always managed to stay upbeat, keeping her head high and doing her best to survive.
But now, seeing someone like Mark—strong, confident, and the kind of man who radiated stability—stirred something deep inside her. He was the kind of man she had always dreamed of, a protector, someone who could have supported her through life's trials. In him, she saw everything she had longed for but had never been able to attain. Yet, at the same time, she knew that someone like Mark was out of her reach. She felt old, worn by the years, and used—far from the vibrant, hopeful girl she had once been.
Beth sighed inwardly, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Men like Mark didn't come around often, and for someone like her, with the weight of years and responsibility on her shoulders, they never stayed.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Beth gave Mark a playful look. "If I wasn't so old and didn't have a daughter to raise, I might've taken my chances with you."
Mark, amused by her flirtation, chuckled. "Oh, Miss Beth, don't sell yourself short. You've aged like fine wine, madam."
With a mischievous grin, Mark took her hand and, in a smooth gesture, kissed it gently, as though he were a nobleman paying homage to royalty. "A true gentleman always knows how to appreciate a beautiful woman."
Beth was completely floored by his Casanova-like charm, her cheeks flushing pink as she felt a rush of warmth spread from her hand all the way to her heart. She fanned herself, trying to cool down the sudden heat that had risen within her. "Well, well, Mark, you sure know how to make a girl blush!" she giggled, completely taken by him.
Diane, standing beside them, rolled her eyes with a smile, though a strange, unfamiliar feeling bubbled up inside her. It was a faint prickling sensation in her chest—irritation, or something close to it—as she watched Beth swoon over Mark. The feeling was subtle but undeniable. She brushed it off as harmless, though a small part of her was bothered by the attention Beth was giving him.
What is this? Diane thought to herself, puzzled. It wasn't like she had feelings for Mark… right? He was just a friend. And yet, something about Beth's playful flirting, and the way Mark so effortlessly charmed her, stirred a sensation in Diane she couldn't quite place.
She elbowed Mark playfully in the side, her actions perhaps a bit firmer than necessary. "Alright, Romeo, stop before you give her a heart attack."
Mark coughed, breaking the moment, and stepped back with a chuckle. "Apologies, Miss Beth. I'm just visiting from another state. No need to let me steal the spotlight."
Beth was still fanning herself, her cheeks still a light pink from the encounter. "Oh, don't worry about that, sweetheart. You're welcome to steal a little spotlight any time!" She winked at him, still reeling from his devilish charm.
Diane shook her head, still chuckling at his antics, and turned to Beth. "Anyway, I'll order. I'm paying this time."
Diane was trying to shake off the strange twinge in her chest. But Beth was too distracted by the sight of Mark's muscular frame to pay attention. Her eyes wandered to his broad shoulders and the way his shirt clung to his chest, clearly revealing the definition of his pecs and strong neck. She bit her lip absentmindedly, her mind clearly elsewhere.
Diane, noticing Beth's absent-mindedness, sighed and leaned forward, slapping her hand down on the counter with a loud smack! that echoed through the shop.
"Beth!" Diane said firmly, more forcefully than she intended.
Beth jolted in surprise, eyes wide as she snapped back to reality. "Oh! Oh, right! What was your order again?"
Mark couldn't help but chuckle softly under his breath, amused by the whole situation. Diane, on the other hand, gave her order again, this time making sure Beth was fully listening.
As Beth scribbled down their order, she couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Mark, her heart still fluttering from his earlier charm. Diane crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her elbow, trying to ignore the annoying buzz of jealousy that had crept in. It didn't mean anything. She told herself it didn't.