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Three drinks. They’d brought three drinks.
“He’s not staying.” I tried handing the drink back, but Beck swept it up out of my fingers.
He took a long sip, and I ignored the tanned column of his neck. “Delicious.”
“Mmmhmm,” Monroe nodded, blatantly staring at my man.
My man.
Whoa, were we sure those drinks didn’t have alcohol in them? I was losing my senses over here.
Beck smacked his lips. “Is that pomegranate I’m tasting? It’s refreshing. And the hint of mint adds some dimension. What else is there? There’s something else.”
Monroe tapped a finger on the guide in front of us. “It’s triple sec.”
“That’s it.” He nodded as if it were all clear now. The man really knew how to ham it up.
I put my hands on his shoulder. “I’ll meet you in front of our houses at four. I want to arrive before doors open so that I can help out with any final arrangements for the auction items. They need to look good so people will bid.”
Beck leaned over and kissed my cheek. “See, that wasn’t too hard.” He reached out to shake Monroe’s hand. “Good to see you, Monroe.”
Beck tossed a wink out and Monroe almost fell off her chair. If I hadn’t braced myself, I may have too.
“Damn that man is gorgeous. If you don’t marry him, I will.”
CHAPTER33
Beck
“Be good for Mrs. Corbett,”I whispered to Alice as I squeezed her tight.
“I know, Daddy,” my daughter said on a laugh before wiggling out of my grip. “Don’t forget to tell Luna she looks pretty.”
Gotta love getting dating tips from my seven-year-old.
Alice sprinted down the hall to her room where her dinosaurs were battling it out with her Barbies while her new dog watched on. I dared to drag her away to give her kisses and make sure she had what she needed before heading out to the gala. While I knew her nanny had things covered, it was a rare occasion that had me going out when I could be tucking her in.
I adjusted the sleeves of my tux in the hallway mirror, gave one last goodbye, and exited the townhouse, just as my driver opened the door to the limo parked out front.
The driver tipped his hat, and I gestured to the building next door. “Let me just get my date.”
I fidgeted as I stood on her stoop, waiting to be let in.
“You’re early,” said a disembodied voice from the intercom.
I glanced at my watch. “A minute early, tops.”
“You’re rushing me.”
“Luna—”
“Beck.”
I leaned in closer so that the camera could capture my expression. “I’d rather not get into it on your stoop while people walk by with their poodles and my driver stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.”
I caught a hint of laughter before the line went quiet.
The front door cracked open, and I entered Luna’s house only to catch the laughter in full force.