Gia tiptoed barefoot into Beckett’s office late the following morning and waved a greeting to Ellery.

“Morning, El,” she said, taking in Ellery’s pink skull cardigan.

“Hey, Gia,” Ellery greeted her. “What’s up?”

“Is Beckett around?” She pointed down at her feet. “I think I left my shoes in his kitchen last night.”

“You did,” Beckett said, stepping into the reception area from his office holding her sneakers in his hand.

“Oh, thank God!” Gia sighed with relief. “We got a late start today. I couldn’t sleep last night and forgot to set my alarm. So I had to drive the kids to school and we got all the way to drop-off before I realized that Rora’s lunch was at home and Evan’s gym clothes were still in the dryer. So I had to run back home and — oh, never mind.” She took a breath.

She was babbling. But she couldn’t help it. She’d spent all night tossing and turning, thinking of how it felt to have Beckett’s hands and mouth on her. The lack of sleep had left her a scattered mess. And now he stood before her looking perfect and well rested in another sexy suit.

“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?” he asked.

“Because you’re holding them in your hand.”

Beckett frowned. “These are your only pair of shoes?”

“Of course not!” Gia was indignant. “I just can’t find any of the other ones.”

She was becoming vaguely aware of the fact that Ellery was following their exchange with marked interest and a big grin.

“How messy are you? Do I need to do a walk-thru of your place?” Beckett teased.

“Very funny,” Gia said, glaring at him. “I packed them in a box marked ‘shoes’ and haven’t seen them since. I’m hoping they’re at my dad’s house. It’s on my list.”

“Can you find your list?”

“You’re hilarious for an attorney. Ellery, I don’t know how you get any work done with all the laughing you must do here,” she said, snatching the shoes out of Beckett’s hand. She hurried over to the faded couch against the window and sank down to put on her shoes.

“It’s a laugh a minute around this place,” Ellery quipped.

“Thank you for finding them for me, Beckett. I’ve gotta run. I have a class at noon. El, will I see you tonight?” The words tumbled out in a stream. Apparently knowing what it was like to kiss Beckett had made her even more nervous around him. Great, and now she was blushing furiously.

“I’ll be there,” Ellery said, putting her chin in her hand and grinning.

“Great!” Gia jumped to her feet. “See you then.” She dashed out the door only to pop her head back in a second later. “Bye, Beckett,” she said softly.

* * *

Beckett watched Gianna leave. And then watched her hustle off the porch, her red curls streaming behind her.

Ellery cleared her throat twice before he turned back to look at her.

“Sorry. Did you say something?” he asked, snapping back to reality.

“Keys.”

“What?”

“Gia left her keys,” Ellery said, pointing at the couch.

Beckett picked up the Om symbol key ring and twirled it on his finger. “How about I pick up lunch today?” he offered.

“Righteous Subs?” Ellery asked hopefully.

“The usual for me,” he nodded. “Call it in and I’ll be back shortly.”

He missed the curve of Ellery’s black lipstick as he grabbed his wallet and hustled out the door.

Beckett made a quick pit stop at Blakeley’s Hardware before continuing down the block to the yoga studio. As he approached, he spotted a small crowd of people clutching rolled up mats gathered at the front door.

Gianna was on her cellphone frantically pacing in front of the building. She stopped mid-step when she spotted him. Wordlessly, Beckett held up the keys and the smile that bloomed on her flawless face was like sunshine.

“Never mind,” Gianna said into the phone before hanging up. She launched herself at Beckett, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a smacking kiss on his cheek.

He chuckled and lowered her carefully to the ground.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she chanted. “Mr. Mayor saves the day,” she announced to the crowd. He gave a mock bow, acknowledging the cheers and whistles.

Gianna unlocked the front door and started herding students inside.

“Isn’t that lucky that you found Gia’s keys?” Willa said sweetly. Her waterfall of pale blonde hair was pulled back into her trademark braid and she was wearing a Blue Moon Boots tank top.

“I must have left them at his office when I stopped by,” Gianna said cheerfully.

Willa’s curious expression was making Beckett sweat.

“Oh,” Willa smiled. “Were you there on business?”

“Oh, no. I just left my shoes there last night,” Gia answered, holding the door for Willa.

Gianna obviously had no idea the train wreck she was setting into motion, Beckett thought as panic gripped him. It had been funny when it happened to Carter, hilarious even. But to be in the sights of Blue Moon’s diabolical Beautification Committee himself? To be a target of their overt and ridiculous matchmaking attempts?

It was no longer a laughing matter.

“I see,” Willa said, eyes glittering.

“It was just dinner,” Beckett said quickly. “Pizza. We had pizza.” He was babbling. Lawyers didn’t babble. At least, not good ones.

“The kids loved it,” Gia said, beaming up at Beckett.

Beckett wished Gianna would just go inside instead of looking at him like he was some kind of Greek god.

“How sweet,” Willa said. Her phone was already out and he had a sneaking suspicion she had captured Gianna’s greeting on camera. “I guess I’d better get inside. Have a great day, Beckett,” she called over her shoulder.

Beckett felt his blood pressure spike and was about to stop Willa to set the record straight when Summer and Joey jogged down the sidewalk.

“We’re not late, are we?” Summer asked, gasping for air.

“I didn’t know you two were coming!” Gia said. “What a nice surprise! You’re right on time. Just go on in and pick your spots. If you need a mat they’re on the shelves along the wall.”

“She bribed me with lunch,” Joey said, glaring at Summer’s departing back. “You should come, too.”

Gianna blinked. “Well, sure. I’d love to.”

Joey glanced up at Beckett. “You coming?”

He shook his head rapidly from side to side.

“Beckett’s had his fill of yoga for the time being,” Gianna explained, winking up at him. “He suffered through two hot power classes.”

“Hot power yoga?” Joey looked scared.

“Don’t worry,” Gianna reassured her. “Lunch Hour Yoga is a relaxing vinyasa class.” She gently prodded Joey through the door.

“Vin-what-a?”

“Thanks again, Beckett,” Gianna shot him a sweet smile over her shoulder. “You’re my hero of the day.”

He stood rooted to the spot, staring at the glass feeling a mixture of panic and defeat. His phone signaled in his pocket.

“What?”

“That’s not a very Mr. Mayory way to answer the phone,” Carter answered.

“Sorry. I just had a … conversation with Willa.”

His brother’s gleeful chuckle further rankled Beckett. “She works fast. I take it you haven’t seen Facebook yet?” Carter asked.

Beckett swore and pulled the phone away from his ear.

“What am I looking for?” he asked, switching to speakerphone.

“You’ll know it when you see it,” Carter returned cryptically. “I gotta go. Good luck.”

“Good luck?” Beckett muttered. Good luck with what?

Shit.

Blue Moon’s Gossip Group was faster than a Ferrari on the drag strip. Two minutes ago, someone — presumably Willa — had posted a picture of Gianna in his arms exactly where he stood.

Could Blue Moon have a new first lady? It looks like Beckett Pierce might finally be off the market.

The previous post from the night before announced that Beckett and Gianna were sharing a “quiet family dinner.”

His phone rang again and he bobbled it.

“I didn’t interrupt you two working on your wedding registry, did I?” his younger brother snickered.

“Fuck you, Jax,” Beckett growled. He stalked down the street.

“Now don’t tell me the gossip group got it wrong.”

“There is nothing going on between Gianna and me.”

“Oh,” his brother said innocently. “So you didn’t have dinner last night?”

“It wasn’t a date. The kids were there.”

“A nice, quiet family dinner,” Jax quoted.

“I wish you were here so I could punch you in the face,” Beckett muttered. He crossed the street to cut through the square.

Was it his imagination or was everyone looking at him? he wondered.

His brother’s laugh told Beckett that his threat wasn’t being taken seriously.

“So if nothing’s going on, what were you doing making out with her on Main Street?” Jax asked.

“She was thanking me for dropping off her keys.”

“That’s a really friendly thank you. I’m starting to feel shorted. Fitz didn’t thank me like that when I picked up the twenty he dropped at Karma Kustard yesterday. How did you end up with her keys?”

“She left them at my place when she stopped to get her shoes,” Beckett snapped.

“She left her shoes at your place?” Jax’s gleeful tone grated Beckett’s last nerve like lemon juice in an open wound.

“Ask him if they’re going steady!” Beckett heard Carter yell in the background.

“Don’t you assholes have farm things to do?”

“We’re multitasking,” Jax snickered.

“Yeah, well, why don’t you multitask someone else? I’m busy.”

“Busy making out in front of a crowd.”

“Nothing is going on!”

“Uh-huh. So you haven’t kissed her?”

“How did you —”

Jax whooped on the other end of the line.

“I hate you both,” Beckett snarled and hung up.