Page 10

Chapter Ten

Kit

Beau’s words wash over me like hot tea, warming me to my core. Searching his face, I don’t see any hint of teasing—no glint, no smirk. None of the tell-tale signs that Beau Matthews is trying to pull one over on me.

If I see anything, it’s sincerity.

Could he be telling the truth?

My stomach swoops, and my knees turn to jelly. Completely lost in his heated silver gaze, Scott’s words bring me back to the fact that there are three of us here.

“ You ,” Scott’s voice drips with disdain as he thrusts a finger at Beau before pointing that finger at me. “Had a thing for her ?”

At this, a spark lights Beau’s eyes, and an unspoken challenge fills them. A sly quirk curves his lips, causing goosebumps to pop on my skin. I can see the dare he’s throwing my way clear as day.

He’s all but shouting, ‘Are you going to let him get away with saying that?’.

And for the first time I’m tired of letting Scott treat me like a consolation prize.

How did I not see it before?

A rush of adrenaline courses through my body, and the corner of my lip pulls up.

Challenge accepted.

I know the moment Beau understands. He snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me close.

Claiming me.

The warmth from his hand grounds me.

Without breaking his stare, Beau responds, “It’s why I asked her to marry me when I saw her.” His smile broadens, and my breath catches. I’m so caught up in Beau that I barely notice the growl that comes from Scott. “I wasn’t about to let her go…again.”

“You two,” Scott snarls, “are married?!”

“I guess you could call it a whirlwind romance.” His lips quirk. And I turn my head toward Scott. The confusion on his face fills me with a sense of deep satisfaction. “You’re the first person we’ve told. We'd appreciate it if you could keep it quiet for a bit. We need to iron out a few details since it happened so fast and all. But it’s only fair since…well…you know, we were engaged up until recently.”

I gently pat Scott on the arm and instantly regret it from the glare he throws my way.

“You did me a favor leaving her.” Beau presses his lips on the top of my head, sending tiny shivers down to my toes. His strong arm wrapped around my waist gives me a sense of invincibility.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve backed down when Scott has gotten like this in the past. Standing up to him feels good, even if the situation is unorthodox.

I forgot what it felt like to be physically and emotionally supported by a ‘boyfriend’.

Scott’s eyes fill with rage. But right now, all I want to do is stick my tongue out at him and shout ‘Na Na Na Na Na Na’.

But I don’t, because that would be childish.

My cheeks pull up, and Scott’s jaw clenches. Without saying a word, he stomps from the porch while Beau and I quietly watch him go.

“You know the news of our marriage will spread like wildfire, right?” His words vibrate against the side of my body, and his snicker sends shivers down my spine.

“Did you mean what you said?” I push out, my throat suddenly tight. I’ll think about the gossip later; right now, the only question I want answered is the one I just asked.

“Which part?” He takes a tiny step back, putting some distance between us so he can see my expression. His eyes are a shade of molten lead. His hand is still on my waist like he’s reluctant to stop touching me. “I said a lot.”

“All of it?” Gazing into his eyes, I see the truth staring back at me. But I need to hear him say it.

“Do you really not remember what we talked about that night in Vegas?” His voice holds so much emotion, and his eyes are searching mine as if trying to gather all the secrets hidden behind them.

I swallow and lift my palm to rest on his chest. I hear his breath catch, and warmth washes over me. He covers my hand with his, he gently squeezes.

“No,” I say softly. His eyes drop to my mouth, and my breath hitches. “But I’m starting to wish I—”

“It’s okay that I’m here now, right?” Jack’s voice has Beau and me jumping apart like two teenagers getting caught cheating on a test. The corner of Jack’s mouth lifts, and his eyes dance with humor. “I called out, but you didn’t hear me. I figured it would be okay to come up since he left.”

Realizing I’m standing with my mouth open, I snap it shut and muster a grin. “Jack, right? I’m so happy to meet you. Beau said you’re a huge animal lover.”

Jack gives me a nod and shoves his hands in his jean pockets. His smile is now sheepish.

“Great!” Even to me, my voice sounds overly cheerful. I glance over at Beau to find him watching me. His eyes dance, and his crooked grin has my pulse skyrocketing. Remembering we have an audience, I turn my attention back to Jack. “Come on, let’s go inside.”

As I walk through the clinic door, the bell jingles. Behind me, I hear Jack whisper. “Is this the girl you were talking about? I think she likes you.”

Beau coughs before clearing his throat and changing the topic. “This is a nice setup you have here, Kit.”

My mouth quirks and I act like my heart didn’t try to take a flying leap from my chest at Jack’s words. Beau talking about me, even if just with Jack, leaves me floating on cloud nine. When I turn to face them, I hope my expression is schooled, but I’m having difficulty keeping a huge smile off my face.

“Thank you. I’m proud of it.” I turn and try to see my office through the eyes of someone coming in for the first time. I stand a little taller. I have done well for myself. When my gaze falls on Beau, the warmth I see there makes my stomach flutter. I immediately shift my attention over to Jack. “Do you have any questions yet, Jack, or do you want to start with the office tour?”

Jack shakes his head. “No questions yet.”

“Okay then let’s start with a tour first.” I head over toward the treatment rooms. “These two spaces are where I see my patients. It’s where I do any initial exams and talk with the owners to get an overview of how their pets are doing. Or try to problem solve if they’re here because something is wrong.”

I glance back to find Jack scanning the room and Beau staring at me. Heat creeps up my cheeks, and I lose my train of thought. Luckily, Jack rescues me with a question.

“What are the reasons people would bring in their animals?” He then points to the scale on the floor. “What’s this big metal thing down here?”

“That’s a scale.” Grateful for Jack’s questions, I do my best to focus on him, not the man leaning quietly against the door frame watching me. Heat lingers wherever Beau’s eyes fall. A jolt cascades through me, and I’m back in vet school trying to pass a final exam.

Lucky for me, neither Jack nor Beau know what I’m talking about, so any mistakes I may make won’t be caught.

Jack notices everything and asks great questions. When we’re back in the reception area. I bring up that I’ll need some help over the summer and ask if he’d be interested. His eyes light up, and a huge smile crosses his face.

“Truly?” he says, eyes wide, and I nod. “That would be awesome.”

“Perfect.” I grab a card and hand it to him. “Have your aunt or grandmother call me, and once I have their permission, we’ll chat and figure out when you can get started.”

“Thank you so much.” The excitement that lights up his face when he examines my business card makes me understand why Beau does this mentorship program. This is my first experience with a mentor program, and I can already sense how it makes a difference in people’s lives. “I didn’t know anything like this was possible before joining Play It Forward. Are you coming with us to the Play It Forward event?”

“Play It Forward event?” My brows pull together, and I turn from him to Beau. “I’m not sure what that is...”

“Every year Play It Forward has an annual bonding event for all the mentors and mentees,” Beau explains.

“You have to come,” Jack insists. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

I glance up at Beau, and he lifts a shoulder. “He’s not wrong; it’ll be fun. You should join us.”

“Maybe I will,” I say, walking out the front door and onto the porch. “Jack, it was so nice to meet you, and I’m excited to get to know you better.”

“Thanks, Kit.” Jack starts to walk down the steps but stops when he notices that Beau isn’t following.

“Go ahead, Jack,” Beau says. “I’ll be there in a second.”

Both of us watch Jack as he makes his way to the car.

“Thanks for asking me to be a part of this. I think he enjoyed it.” I smile as Jack slides into the passenger seat and pulls out his phone. I can see the smile on his face from where I stand.

When I turn back toward Beau, I find his gaze on me, a lopsided smirk on his face. My stomach flutters, and my pulse thrums.

“Are you around later?” he asks. Is it just me, or is his voice hesitant? “I’m thinking we could grab dinner, talk about Play It Forward, and work on getting our story straight.”

I narrow my eyes and tilt my head. “Story straight?”

He beams at me, and my knees nearly fall out from under me. This man is deadly where my heart is concerned. “About our whirlwind romance? The entire town is probably buzzing with the news already.”

I’m not sure about that, only because I don’t know how quick Scott will be to admit his role in our ‘unexpected’ marriage. But there is no way I’m going to say no to dinner.

I’ve been waiting a long time for this chance with Beau Matthews. Genevieve’s gonna die when I tell her.