He reaches with his left hand but can’t quite snag the sticky tape sitting on the bench. “Could you pass me that?”
Our fingers brush again as I’m handing it to him, and I make the mistake of looking up. His vivid blue eyes are locked on mine. We freeze, taking each other in. This shifting dynamic between us is leaving me restless.
I swallow hard, searching for a distraction. “How’s Bluebeard today?”
The first photo on my phone is the one he sent yesterday of the cat curled up like a croissant on top of his equipment bag.
“He was complaining very loudly about us all leaving him for the day, but I gave him something from the banquet of treats JJ picked up. That cheered him up. He’s a total food monster.” A goofy smile spreads over his face. Not his usual smooth golden-boy smile.
I struggled to sleep the night he took Bluebeard home. But it seems like they’ve been getting along fine. JJ won’t shut up about the cat, promising he’s going to make him an internet superstar, and Beau sends me texts and pictures every time something crazy happens. Like when the cat hid behind the laundry machine and they thought he’d run away for a solid hour. He’s not the man I initially took him to be.
“You should have brought him. Damien is going to be here with some of the other cats and kittens soon. We could have found a special spot for Bluebeard. Maybe in your month.”
“I thought it might be too much for him. He’s already had a rough week with the move. Didn’t think he’d be into another upheaval. Plus, I knew nothing about the other cats who were coming. After the way that monster was bullying him, I didn’t want to risk it.”
I laugh, but his concern is sweet, and I don’t like to admit it, but he’s right. “That monster was just doing regular cat things.”
He scoffs. “Don’t tell me you weren’t freaked out, too. That’s why I brought him home in the first place.”
He drops that bomb and casually reaches over for the streamers. Really, he did it for me? I thought was all about the cat.
“Too bad. I was hoping I’d get to see him today. I miss the little guy.”
“You should come over when we’re done here. We both already had practice this morning. I was going to get in a workout and head home. You’re welcome to join us for dinner. Dev is cooking, so it’s guaranteed to be delicious.”
“Really?” Every part of me wants to say yes. “I don’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be. We always cook enough for an army, or a college hockey team, I guess. There’s plenty of food. And I know Bluebeard will be as delighted as JJ to see you.”
“JJ, huh?”
“Yup. He talks about you and Maisie all the time. I think he has a crush on her.”
“On Maisie? She’d eat him alive.”
“And he’d love every minute. As long as he’s the center of attention, he’s happy.”
The door bursts open, and a man steps in. The black clothes and camera fear make it obvious who he is. “I was told I could find Luna Wilder in here.”
I step away from Beau. “That’s me,” I say, stretching my hand forward as I walk toward the man. He’s got a younger blonde woman with him. She’s dressed in black too, from her sturdy Doc Martens to the professional button-up shirt. Even the scrunchie holding her long brown hair back is black. Beth’s trailing behind the pair.
“You must be Jared. Nice to meet you, and thank you so much for donating your time for the cause.”
“I’m only here because I owe Damien a favor,” he says, ignoring my outstretched hand and turning to his assistant. “Get the tripod set up there. I want to finish this up as soon as possible.”
And I thought Beau was unpleasant when we first met. At least he had enough respect to look me in the eye while he chastised me and the team. This guy doesn’t seem to think we deserve even that minuscule courtesy.
Beth is stifling a laugh behind her hand, and I turn to Beau. One side of his mouth is pulled up at the corner, and his lips arepressed together. He isn’t giving anything away to the rest of the room, but the look in his eyes spills his secrets to me.
The assistant is fumbling with a screw on the side of the tripod. Jared clears his throat, muttering something about incompetence under his breath, but doesn’t offer her a hand. Beau steps up.
One long stride takes him over to the poor woman. “Can I give you a hand?” I like that he asks instead of stepping in and taking over. She nods gratefully, eyes flicking over to Jared and back. A couple of clicks and he’s got it all ready to go.
A huge neon sign is screaming, this going to be a long day, but in a plot twist I never would have expected.
I’m glad I get to share it with him.
Chapter 17
