Eric gulped hard.

"I... I called Bruno before coming here, just to check, you know? To make sure it was okay for me to... to make a move."

Beauty stared at him, dumbfounded. She felt a deep pang in her heart at that statement.

"Bruno wouldn't dare..." Jessie thought sadly.

"When?" Beauty finally found her voice.

"Earlier this evening," Eric answered, his voice now a little shaky under her intense glare.

Beauty swallowed hard, feeling tight with shame, ...