“Have a nice day,” Anna said and ended the call with the customer.
“Anniversary?” Leah asked.
“Yep.” Anna wrote down the last of the information. She always enjoyed replicating wedding cakes for a couple on their anniversary. “The Smiths. Red velvet cake, red roses, three tiers and big heart on top.”
Leah smiled. “Oh yeah, the one that looked like a Valentine’s Day wedding.”
“Right. But it was pretty.”
She’d enjoyed it, especially because it was right after Tom had proposed. After dating for more than two years, he’d taken her out to eat at a nice restaurant in the city and asked her to marry him at the end of the meal.
With a huge diamond.
That should have been her first clue. She wasn’t a diamond kind of girl. She liked keeping it low-key. Beckett would never get something that extravagant. No, he’d go simple, probably his grandmother’s engagement ring. And maybe a picnic or at his house. He—
“Anna?”
She snapped to attention, realizing Leah was staring at her. “Sorry.”
She busied herself with wiping the counter, her heart twisting in knots. What had she been doing? Thinking about Beckett and marriage? They’d barely even started something and now, marriage? Besides that, after Tom cheated on her she’d pretty much given up on the idea of marriage. She didn’t need love in her life. She needed consistency—and men certainly couldn’t give her that.
She had to find it on her own.
But, Beckett…
She straightened her shoulders and told herself to focus. The Smiths needed their cake by the end of August, just a small copy of the original since they weren’t having a huge party but instead celebrating on their own.
She added the note to her board. She’d transfer it to her planner by the end of the week, along with all the new assignments Jillian brought her. Mostly weddings, but sometimes other events, like showers and luncheons and even a bachelorette party or two because the barn made a great space for those kinds of gatherings.
“Eli will be here in fifteen,” Anna reminded Leah, “so I’ll need you to stay up front in the store.”
Leah waved. “No problem.”
Anna returned to the kitchen, sighing. She pulled her phone out of her apron pocket, ready to call Poppy. Then she paused. Poppy was probably busy. And maybe Poppy wasn’t ready to talk to her yet.
Anna gritted her teeth, still sore over what her sister had said. Of course she planned on talking to her mom and the rest of the family if she decided to go to France. But she didn’t want to worry them unnecessarily if she ended up not going.
She understood how important the business was to all of them. She was as much a part of it as anyone else. But it didn’t seem to fit her life anymore. Not after everything that had happened with Tom.
The back door opened and Eli appeared, lugging two bags of camera equipment and a tall light. “Morning.”
She reached for the bags and set them on the table by the door. “It’s afternoon.”
Eli shrugged and turned for the door again. “I’ve only been up a few hours. It’s still morning for me.”
“Eli…” Anna rubbed her eyes and laughed. “I really missed you.”
He stopped at the door and looked back. His gaze lingered on her face. “You look tired. You want to talk about it?”
She hesitated. Yes, she did. She wanted to talk about it with Poppy, but she and Eli had always been close. He might have a different perspective on it all, too.
“Why don’t we set up while we do,” she suggested. “Jillian wants these pictures for the next brochure and open house.”
“When’s that?” Eli asked, stepping out the door and into the sunshine.
“Three weeks.”
“She still keeps a tight schedule, huh?”
Anna laughed. “You weren’t gone that long. Not much has changed.”
“I don’t know about that.”
The sunlight warmed her cheeks as she followed Eli to his car. “What’s that supposed to…”
Her words trailed off when she saw Beckett’s car parked next to Eli’s.
“I thought we might need some help with the lighting and everything,” Eli said, keeping his gaze from hers.
And as happy as she was to see Beckett, she narrowed her eyes at her brother. “What about Shane?”
“What about him?”
“He’s been covering for you this whole time. I think he knows what he’s doing.”
Beckett got out of his car and paused next to it, his lips curving. “There a problem?”
A knot of desire unfurled in her belly. She tried to ignore it.
Eli looked at her, lowering his sunglasses so their eyes met. “Yeah, Anna. Is there a problem?”
Her mouth opened but nothing came out. Did Eli know something? Had Beckett told him what was going on?
She swallowed and smiled. “No, there’s not a problem.”
But the way Beckett was looking at her right now might cause a problem. His eyes were glued to her face, a faint curve still on his lips. He wore a simple T-shirt that stretched tight across his chest, showing off his muscles and making her throat dry.
“Hi, Anna,” he said, stepping closer.
Damn it. There was a problem. How good Beckett looked. How he made her feel.
She nodded. “Hi, Beckett.”
And then she ducked into the back of Eli’s car to grab the rest of the equipment. When she straightened, Beckett stood next to her with a grin on his face.
“Need some help?”
She peered around him and saw Eli disappear inside. “Did you say anything to Eli?”
He angled his head. “Nice to see you, too.”
“Beckett—”
The words froze in her mouth when he lifted his hand and brushed a finger down her cheek. She almost melted at his feet. And then she heard Eli, and she jerked back, her neck growing warm. All she could think was how much she missed Beckett. How much she wanted to be back in his house. Alone.
It was going to be a long afternoon.
{}{}{}
Beckett enjoyed seeing her flustered. Keeping Anna off guard was a bonus. The more he showed her there was nothing conventional about their relationship, the more she might believe they could have a future beyond friendship.
Anna put on an apron, a blue and white stripped one which happened to be one of his favorites, and tied a bandana on her head. A few strands of her honey blonde hair escaped, and more than once he had to stop himself from tucking them in for her.
“Help me, Beckett,” Anna said, pulling a cake out of the refrigerator.
He helped her set it gently on the table, and stood back to admire it. “You made this just for the photo shoot?”
She nodded, adjusting the flowers to the side facing the camera. “We had one like it for a very small wedding last month, but Jillian wanted to see it with another tier since we usually do larger events, and more piping all over.”
“I don’t know how you do it. It’s like art.”
“Steady hands.”
“I bet you’re really good with your hands.”
Her gaze flashed to his, her mouth opening in surprise. Then she seemed to notice Eli was watching their exchange and turned away. “I’ve had lots of practice.”
He made eye-contact with Eli behind Anna’s back. Eli gave him a laughing smile.
Funny. His friend could laugh it up now, but one day he’d be in the same position and Beckett wouldn’t hesitate to give him a hard time.
“All right, step back so I can see,” Eli instructed. He aimed his camera and then shifted over a few feet.
Beckett stood clear of the table with Anna. He touched his hand at the small of her back and she straightened, giving him a look.
He only smiled and stepped closer to her. “Are you scared of me, Anna?”
“Are you trying to be obvious?” she returned, voice low.
“What are you whispering about over there?” Eli asked, keeping his camera on the cake.
Beckett grinned. “Anna smells like strawberries.”
She gaped at him.
Eli chuckled. “Is that so?”
Beckett nodded. He started to say something else, but she elbowed him in the side and he let out a whoosh of air.
“Can someone adjust that light?” Eli asked.
Anna hurried to it. “Sure.”
“To the side a little. A little more.”
She moved the light another inch, glaring at Beckett the entire time.
He held back a laugh.
“Good. There,” Eli said.
Anna made a wide berth around Beckett and gestured to the front of the store. “I’m going to check on Leah.”
When she was gone, Eli cleared his throat, snapping a few more pictures. “Doesn’t look like things are going very well.”
“She doesn’t want you to know anything about this,” Beckett said, keeping his voice low.
“Anything about what?” Eli stepped on a short stool. “Looks to me like you guys are just trying to balance getting to know each other with the friendship you already had.”
“It’s a big step for her, though.”
Eli nodded. “I guess you’re right. After Tom, any kind of relationship is a big step. But with you, it’s huge.”
Beckett let the weight of his words settle. Eli was right. It was huge. Not just because it was a relationship, but because they were friends. Close friends. If starting a relationship screwed with that, he didn’t know what he’d do. And it would probably devastate Anna.
“Do you think she needs more time?” Beckett asked.
Eli stopped taking pictures for a moment and looked over. “No, what I think she needs is for someone to sweep her off her feet. She trusts you, Beckett, and if you’re doing the sweeping then maybe she won’t be so afraid to get into a new relationship.” Eli lifted the camera again, then paused. “Just don’t hurt her. And don’t go too fast. And don’t—”
“Yeah. I got it. One thing at a time. It’s already too much pressure.”
Eli chuckled and got back to taking pictures. “Relationships aren’t easy. That’s why I’m single.”
Beckett wisely kept his mouth shut.
{}{}{}
Once he finished with the pictures, Anna helped Eli return his equipment to his car. “Doing anything later?”
“Sorry,” Eli said as he loaded the trunk. “I’ve got to get going.”
He tossed a wave at Beckett, gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and hopped in his car, leaving her standing with her mouth open.
Great. So much for getting his perspective. She pulled the bandana off her head before turning to face Beckett.
“I guess that’s it,” Anna said. “Thanks for your help.”
She waited for Beckett to move, to walk to his car and head home, but instead he stood there, eyes bright in the sun, and stared at her. He kept doing that.
“What?” she asked.
“You’re not avoiding me again, are you?”
“What? No. I just thought—”
“I wouldn’t want to spend some time with you?” He grinned. “’Cause you’d be wrong.”
Her lips twitched. “I figured you might already have plans.”
“This is supposed to be the fun part, right?” he asked, leaning against the back of his truck.
“What is?”
He reached out and snatched the bandana from her hand with a smile. “The beginning of a relationship.”
“It is. You’re right. I’m…being cautious.” And he had to understand that. She didn’t trust in relationships anymore.
“I get it.” He nodded. “And it makes sense. You’re closing soon, right?”
“Leah said she’d finish up the last of what needed to get done but I might as well help her before I head home.”
“I have a better idea,” he said. “Why don’t you come with me?”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Come with you where?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he said, taking a step closer.
“Like what?”
“Like you think I’m playing a trick on you?”
Nervous laughter bubbled up in her chest. “I’m not. I mean, I don’t think you’re playing a trick on me.”
He reached out, running his hand along her arm. “Let me break this down for you. This is me, Beckett, a guy you’ve known all your life. I wouldn’t play a trick on you. I just want to spend time with you. Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Maybe because Tom never did. It was more like a business relationship than a romantic one,” she blurted. When he didn’t answer, she grimaced. “Shit. Sorry. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about Tom. I know you’re not Tom. I—”
“Anna. Take a breath.”
And she did, because she didn’t know what else to do. He wasn’t Tom and she’d just insulted him.
“I’m not Tom,” he said.
“I know. I promise you, Beckett. I know that.”
“He treated you like shit, and I get you’re still dealing with that. I swear I’d never treat you like that.”
Her heart squeezed tight in her chest. She wanted to believe him. Wanted to believe in happliy ever afters like Summer did. And with Beckett, she almost thought it was possible.
“Thank you,” Anna murmured. She stepped closer, leaning up to kiss him. “Thank you for saying that.”
When she would have eased back, he wrapped his arms around her, tight enough to snatch her breath.
“I meant it,” he said.
Her lips met his again, soft at first, then a slow slide into complete bliss. His hands were gentle, skimming her sides and running up her back to sink into her hair. For a moment, the world went silent around her, all sounds drowning away, except for the catch of her breath and the beating of her heart.
And then she remembered herself. Remembered that anyone, especially one of her sisters or Leah, could see them.
She stepped back even though her body still hummed with need for him. She held up a hand. “Hold on.”
“They’re going to find out eventually.”
She blinked. “What?”
He only smiled. “Your family. Your friends. Everyone. They’ll find out about us. And I’m okay with that.”
“I’m not—that’s—” She broke off. How had he known that’s what she was thinking? It made sense to keep this a secret. Just for now. Just in case it didn’t work out. “I don’t…” Anna shook her head and untied her apron. “I should probably get back inside.”
“No, you shouldn’t. You should come with me. To dinner.”
“Like a date?”
“Exactly. I need more of you, Anna.”
A laugh tumbled out. That didn’t sound like Beckett. Or maybe it was just that it was directed toward her. Beckett was smooth, and it was working.
“I can’t believe you just said that,” she whispered.
“It’s true.”
She needed more of him, too.
Beckett grinned. “What? Are you scared?”
“I’m not scared.” She laughed and backed up a step. And when his grin widened, she realized she had just proved him right. “No, I’m not scared. Beckett, you…”
“Come with me,” he coaxed. “If I have to, I’ll keep my hands to myself, even though I don’t want to.”
Her stomach quivered with anticipation. No, she didn’t want him to keep his hands to himself. Not anymore.
“I’m not dressed for dinner…” Anna began, glancing down at her casual jeans and T-shirt.
“You look perfect.” Beckett took her hand and led her around his truck. “Get in and I’ll tell Leah you’re leaving now. Does that work?”
Anna opened her mouth, but he smiled again.
“Don’t change your mind,” he said. “Just trust me.”
He took her apron and bandana and jogged inside before she could respond.
Anna stood outside Beckett’s truck, staring toward the mountains and wondering how she had gotten herself here. In a matter of weeks, her world had flipped upside down.
She’d gone from a low place about her future to a potential new relationship and a potential new job and life overseas. But she wasn’t sure about either. Was leaving and starting over fresh her best choice? Or staying here and seeing how things went with Beckett?
With a sigh, she leaned in to look at the side mirror and fix her hair as well as she could. What she needed right now wasn’t a mirror, but Poppy’s guidance.
Unsure about that situation in her life either, she decided to do what Beckett suggested and trust him.