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Beck’s voice grows quieter as he confesses his biggest fear.

“I didn’t tell you all this before because… I was afraid. Afraid that once you knew, it would change how you saw me.”

“Abby, this is who I am, really.And now… I just need to know if you’re okay with stepping into that world.”

It takes me a minute or so to take this all in. I think Beck is about to jump out of his seat before I finally find my voice.

“Ok, I have a few things, Mr. Hayes.” And I see him gulp. Good!Deep breath, Abs.

“First, why do you think I would tag you as money and not Beckett Hayes, the man?”

“Second, I’ve never had much money either, but what makes you think I wouldn’t enjoy an occasional shopping spree? … maybe at a car dealer?”That one is meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but I don’t think he gets it as a joke yet. He’s still too afraid.

“Third, you do wonderful things with your money, I can already see that. I’m not blind, Beck. I know that you were and probably still are, the biggest donor to the kids’ day event and more.”

“And finally, brother? You have a brother? I think we need to keep that conversation for another day.”

I end with a megawatt smile, and he pulls me tight. The pooling tears in his eyes are overflowing to his cheeks. I finally have met the Actual and True Beckett Hayes.

***

After dinner, I clear the plates, but Beck’s not far behind me.

“You don’t have to do that,” I murmur as I rinse the dishes.

“Abby…” His voice is softer now, closer.

I feel him before I turn—his warmth, his nearness. And when I finally face him, the intensity in his gaze steals my breath.

“Yes …”

“Tell me to stop,” he whispers, his lips so close I can feel the heat radiating off him.

But I don’t.

Because I don’twanthim to stop.

Instead, I tilt my head, and his lips brush mine—soft, tentative, but filled with something that makes my knees weak.

And then…

The dam breaks.

Beck’s hands slide into my hair, tilting my head as he deepens the kiss, his mouth claiming mine with a heat that sends a shiver down my spine.

I press closer, my fingers tangling in his sweater as his arms tighten around me, pulling me flush against him.

The kiss is slow, deep, and filled with pent-up longing. His hands skim down my back, igniting a heat that spreads through me like wildfire.

I don’t want this to stop.

Not tonight.

But just when the kiss edges toward something more—when my body starts begging for more—I pull back.

Not because I’m scared.

But because…