Show Off (A Belinda & Bennett Short Story)

Posted November 9, 2017 in books, the belinda and bennett mysteries / 1 Comment

Show Off | A short story featuring characters from the cozy mystery series, The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries.

A short story featuring characters from The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries.


Belinda bobbed around in the gentle waves rolling toward her favorite beach in Portside. The sun was in full swing, the ocean providing needed relief from the heat. After baking on the beach for a little while, she was more than happy to take the plunge into the chilly water.

Other beachgoers followed suit, and Belinda watched some teen boys nearby splashing around, goofing off for the girls who were still on shore. After glancing over at Bennett, who floated near her, she splashed him in the face.

He turned his head slowly, raising his eyebrows. “What was that?”

“You’re supposed to exhibit for me.” They’d been quiet since getting in the water, and Belinda had been happy to leave him be–until now.

He blinked back, his dark brown hair now glistening in the sunlight. “I’m supposed to do what?”

“Exhibit.” Belinda pointed to the teen boys several feet away. They were splashing the water around and talking unnecessarily loud. All signs of wanting attention from girls. Though it honestly didn’t seem to be working.

Bennett studied the boys for a minute, then turned back to Belinda. “You want me to make a fool of myself to get your attention when I already have your attention?”

Belinda rolled her eyes to the sky. “Yes.”

Bennett leaned back again, closing his eyes. “Then you’re dating the wrong person.”

“On a scale of things you’ve done for me, this would be minor.” He’d saved her life, and taken the fall for one of her biggest mistakes. Belinda felt if he could manage that, he could splash around in the waves and show off for her.

Belinda studied him, his lips curving up ever so slightly. But he didn’t budge.

“You like to show off for me sometimes,” she prodded. “Like the other day, when you helped move Kyle’s old sea chest.” Bennett hadn’t minded displaying his muscular arms and back as they carried the thing inside.

And Belinda hadn’t minded watching.

“That was different,” Bennett said, his eyes still shut.

“How?”

“I was working.” He leaned up as a wave crashed over his head. “There was a point to it.”

“So, you’ll only show off when you have a specific reason?”

“Have I ever done anything else?” He stood again as they both rose and fell with a larger wave.

Belinda considered that, and she had to answer no. Bennett had never made a spectacle of himself to get her attention. She knew that wasn’t like him, but it wouldn’t stop her from teasing.

“Look,” Bennett said, “if you wanted a guy who would exhibit, you should have gone for Jonas.”

Belinda grinned, throwing her arms around his neck. Their detective friend Jonas had no problems exhibiting for his girlfriend, Ardith, when they’d first met. And while that wasn’t Bennett’s style at all, it didn’t mean he’d never showed off in his own way.

“That may be true,” Belinda said, stroking the back of his hair, “but that doesn’t mean you were afraid to demonstrate what a catch you were.”

“Is that so?” Bennett’s gray eyes glinted.

Belinda planted a kiss on his lips.

“Well, it worked,” he said when she tore away. “So I guess you liked it.”

Belinda smirked. “I guess I did. But I still think you should exhibit.”

At first, she thought he’d act annoyed and ignore her. But instead, he nodded thoughtfully for several seconds, then shrugged. “If you insist.”

With that, he heaved her into the air, and tossed her a few feet. Belinda screamed before plunging under water. After flailing around, she surfaced, glaring through the water pouring down her face. Bennett smiled in satisfaction–a full smile with teeth and everything–even laughing as she swam toward him.

“There you go,” he said as she faced him. “I exhibited.”

Belinda stared at him. She should have expected that. And yet, she just didn’t see it coming.

“Happy now?” Bennett said.

“Delighted.”

Bennett smiled, pulling her in for a hug. As she reluctantly returned it, Belinda supposed she had no one to blame but herself. After all, she’d picked him.

~ * ~

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More Belinda & Bennett Shorts:
Cakewalk
Clean Break
Service With a Smile

Spy Night
Caked Out
Beached
Gnome Affair
Coffee Break
Baby Proof
Eye Candy
Lights Out
Box Mates
Personal Shopper
Unexpected

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