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Chapter 50 - Chapter 50 - Arles' Non-Relationship

Arles sat across the table at a small restaurant on the sea with Kelly. Each table had its own small building that sat over the sea. The waves crashed against the shore feet from them. Boats sailing by waved at the people enjoying their meals. The sun shone brightly and Arles was grateful for the grass roof on their small table's building that gave him shade.

He took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes. "That damn dwarf star is so bright here."

"Yes, it is." Kelly looked at the sea and smiled back at him. "But, this is such a neat place, isn't it?"

Arles sat down his glass of water and nodded. "I like it. I've been to a place that is similar, but it's under the water. You can see the fish swim right up to you."

Kelly shook her head, "I don't know if I would like that or not."

"Really?"

"Well, yes. I mean, I'm sitting there, eating a fish. Then, his family swims up and sees that. Begins to plot their revenge. I don't think I could sleep again."

Arles laughed. "I don't think they think like that."

Kelly teased. "Actually, now that I think about it, I probably shouldn't have ordered the chicken. Do you think these sea gulls will think it's a member of their family that I'm eating?"

Arles grinned, "I could tell them that it, if you like-"

"Do your worse then." Kelly laughed.

Arles leaned on the table and smiled.

"So, did you get to go surfing this morning?"

"I did. It was a wash-out, though."

"Really? The sea seemed pretty good this morning."

"I got one good wave, and went in to eat."

She nodded. "You're going to miss all of this when you return to New York. When are you going?"

"Tomorrow. Well, tonight. Late tonight."

She nodded. "How long does it take the Bullet to get there?"

"I can't remember. You would think I know as much as I've used it."

"You putting your job on hold to come down to help Karen when Samuel was gone, was so kind." Kelly smiled.

"Well, I hadn't actually started working yet. It was alright."

"So, you'll start this week then?"

Arles leaned back and crossed his arms. "Something like that. Yeah."

She sighed. "I'll have to say, that I'll miss you."

He smiled. "Me, too."

"And for our 'non-dates', I've had such a great time."

Arles rubbed his face. "I just want to be fair about this. Transparent."

"I actually respect that you just want to be friends, Arles. It's just…if things ever change in that department with you…."

"It's just not something I'm good at. You are a friend of Karen's and…I don't-"

"Want to hurt me because you'll hurt her."

"She's marrying my brother. I'm sure you understand my position-"

"Oh, I do." Kelly told him just as the waiter brought over their plates.

He sat chicken kabobs with a side of black beans and coconut rice in front of Kelly. Arles had a beautiful lobster with a salad and mashed potatoes.

The waiter left and Arles rubbed his hands together. "Shall I alert the sea gulls? You know, that might be sea gull-"

"Oh, stop." Kelly laughed.

He rubbed his thighs and became serious. "When does softball begin again? The season?"

She smiled at him. "Thinking about playing in New York?"

"Well, if it's on the weekend, I might be able to come down here and play. I really enjoy it-"

"You're really good at it, too." Kelly agreed. "But, that's not practical."

"Well, we could see one another."

"As friends." Kelly reminded him.

He sighed. "Kelly. It's….just…"

"Have you ever been in a relationship before?"

"I'm not comfortable talking about this-"

"No one is. But, I find the most uncomfortable conversations are the ones that you need to have."

Arles rose his eyebrow at her. "What are you saying?"

"I have an idea. Tell me your thoughts. Honestly. You won't hurt my feelings."

"Alright…"

"You and me….see how it goes. Karen doesn't need to know."

Arles thought. "I don't know, Kelly."

Kelly leaned in and whispered, "Last night-"

He pointed at her, "We're clear. That was just…too far. Friends-"

She sat down her fork. "Okay, we're going to have this conversation."

Arles dropped his head dramatically. "Oh, we don't have to-"

"You'll like this. This is my thought on the subject, because Arles, I really like you. And I'm not going to lie about it. You're fantastic in bed."

He closed his eyes tightly and cleared his throat, "Totally, took it too far-"

"So, we'll remain friends."

Arles rose his eyebrows from behind his hand that he propped his face on and mumbled. "Friends."

"That can do that."

Arles grinned behind his hand and quickly cleared his throat and became serious. "Friends, that can do that?"

Kelly was already pulling her kabobs apart. "Yeah. What do you think?"

"Well, sure. Yeah. Umm. Alright." He nodded. "I mean, I'm not here much-"

"Best part!" She told him as she went back to eating her meal. "Long distance relationships never work out anyway. So this is a way to avoid that. If you're in town, what with your weird Bennett family, that isn't related to you, but your brother is marrying into…."

He smiled. "Bennett is a common name."

"And you want to play softball, or go out for a meal, a non-date, or…."

He sat back and rubbed his hands together. "I like this plan. Are you sure?"

She giggled. "I'm going to be so busy with school. I simply don't want to spend my non-existence free time, with someone that is going to tell me something just to get me into bed."

"But, that's where you want me."

She sipped her drink. "Anytime, I can get you there."

Arles nodded and his face slowly spread into a smile. "You know. I like this plan. I really do."

"Excited to be a part of it, huh?"

Arles continued to smile and looked Kelly up and down. "Absolutely."

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