Page 31

“Don’t be.” Beck’s voice is warm, his grin lopsided as he looks at me over Spotty’s head. “I think I’m his favorite now.”

Jake giggles as he singsongs two syllables out of the word Beck. “Spotty loves Beck; Spotty loves Beck; Spotty loves Beck.”

My heart does a funny little flip.

Yeah, sweetheart, I think we all do.

Beck walks us to the parking lot after the tour, Spotty trotting happily beside him. Jake’s chatting nonstop about everything he saw, but my mind is spinning in a thousand directions.

“Thanks for today,” I murmur, glancing at Beck.

“Anytime,” he says softly, his eyes holding mine. “I mean that.”

The air thickens, and for a moment, I forget where we are.

Beck steps closer—just enough for me to feel the heat radiating from him. His gaze drops to my lips, and I swear the world tilts.

“Abby…” His voice is barely above a whisper.

My heart slams into my ribs. I should back away. I should say something, anything, to break this moment.

But I don’t.

My breath catches as Beck lifts a hand, his fingers brushing against my cheek.

It’s so gentle, so achingly sweet, that I can’t breathe.

Just kiss me already.

“Abby…” His thumb grazes my jaw, his touch sending tingles down my spine.

Our eyes lock, and I know—this is it.

I tilt my head ever so slightly, lips parting, ready…

“Beck, can Spotty come back to the rink with us next time?”

And again, Jake’s voice cuts through the moment, shattering the delicate bubble around us.

Beck’s hand drops, and he shakes his head ever so slightly as he clears his throat. “Of course, buddy.”

My cheeks flush, and I step back, my pulse pounding in my ears.

“Goodnight, Beck,” I whisper, my voice barely steady.

“Goodnight, Abby.”

But as I walk away my heart is aching, and I know this isn’t over.

No, whatever “it” is, it’s definitely starting, not finishing.

***

That night, I tuck Jake into bed and linger a little longer than usual, watching the peaceful rise and fall of his chest.

My mind drifts back to Beck—his touch, his warmth, the unspoken words hanging between us.

I almost kissed him.