Page 112 of Raise Me Up

“Oh, thank god,” I utter.

“Think I don’t know you, Anastasia?”

Warmth rises to my cheeks. As I brew a pot of medium roast, Liam’s dark eyes peruse my body, spreading that heat all the way down to my toes.

I’m considering distracting him from his perfect pancake making when the doorbell rings.

My gut lurches. Should I wait for Beau? Who knows how long he’s going to be in the shower, though, and Liam’s busy at the stove.

Which leaves me to greet Beau’s dad.

Steeling myself, I go to open the front door. The man standing on the porch doesn’t resemble Beau much. He’s got fair hair curling out from beneath a brown cowboy hat, and he’s deeply tan with heavy creases around his mouth and the corner of his eyes. He smiles wide, showing off two dimples.

Okay, so there aresomesimilarities.

“Well, hello there. I’m Dave.”

I offer a hand, which he politely squeezes rather than shaking it. “Hello. I’m Stasi. Beau’s friend.”

“Now, he told me girlfriend last night on the phone. What’s he done to lose a precious woman like you already?”

Laughter bubbles out of me. Just as Beau had put me at ease so quickly the first time we met, I find myself relaxing in his dad’s presence.

Dave holds up a sack of groceries. “Beau asked for strawberry mimosas. I wasn’t really sure what that meant. Strawberry juice or fresh strawberries with orange juice. I don’t think I bought the right champagne either…”

His expression shifts into something that looks so helpless, I move in to loop my arm through his. “I’m sure whatever you bought is perfect.”

Light blue eyes twinkle back at me. “Wow. You’re really something, aren’t you?”

“Wait until you meet Liam.”

We walk in on Liam holding Beau hostage by a belt loop, his mouth hovering right over Beau’s. He hesitates, gaze cutting to Dave.

If this were my parent’s home, we would all be kicked out already.

Teeth clenching, my defenses snap into place. I may have failed to protect Hail, but I won’t allow anyone to make Beau feel less for who he chooses to love.

“Good lord. Pictures don’t do you justice,” Dave says.

Liam steps away from Beau, and Beau lets out a groan. “You looked him up?”

“Uh, well… you said he was famous. I got curious…” Dave trails off.

“He doesn’t care for fanboys, dad.”

Liam smirks, ruffling Beau’s hair. “Who says?”

Leaving Beau in a state of disbelief, Liam walks over to shake Dave’s hand. “Nice to meet you, sir.”

I have to blink back my own shock. It’s not that Liam isn’t respectful. I’m just not sure I’ve ever seen him dish out respect to a parental figure.

Dave claps his other hand to Liam’s forearm. “Look atyou, son. If you ever decide you want to change things up from producing music, you’re welcome to come work on the ranch.” He tosses me a wink. “You too, sweetie.”

A flush covers my cheeks. Now I see where Beau gets his charm from. Liam’s gaze cuts to me, brimming with amusement. I roll my eyes in response to his silent taunt.

After setting the wooden table in Beau’s giant dining room, we sit down to eat. I expect the conversation to be dominated by Dave, but he asks questions about our lives instead. How we met. What my job entails.What we do in our free time. Where Beau and Liam traveled with their bands.

Either he genuinely cares about us as people or he’s good at faking it for Beau’s sake. Knowing Beau, I’d place my bet on the first one.