I know deep down that this group is different, but if Beck and I were to have a nasty ending, it would be me who gets left out of the mix. Callie is just as close with him as she is with us girls. Lucie is all but married to Beck’s best friend, and Emma works for the team now too.
One-night stand or friends with benefits has crossed my mind several,severaltimes, but it all loops back to that stupid heart of mine. A crush I can move past, but full-on feelings is a whole different level. I can manage what I feel for him now, but it all goes back to us wanting the same things.
I can’t truly know what Beck wants from me. He flirts constantly and meets me every Tuesday for a run together, but he has never exactly asked me out either.
Whatever we are works for now, and maybe one day this attraction will simmer down. All I know for certain is that I can’t hear how I’m not doing my womanly duties for not wantingto have kids right away, and I definitely don’t want to lose my girlfriends.
I set an old-fashioned and glass of chardonnay down on the bar top for the older couple in front of me. “Shall we start a tab?” I ask.
The man looks at his wife and nods with a bright smile. “That would be great.” He slides his card to me. “Any chance we can take these to the upstairs bar?”
The lady shakes her shoulders. “Oh, he’s actually going to dance with me tonight.”
See, this—I love this. As the husband kisses the back of her hand, I can’t help but smile. There are things I do and don’t want in a relationship, but love…true, obsessed with each other, love? Yeah, I want that…eventually, at least.
Sometimes, I really do think Beck would be this great guy to have that with but it’s not like I can ask him“Hey, so I know you flirt, and I act like I don’t enjoy it, but quick question…how do you feel about kids?”
When I return with the card, they raise their glasses to me as they get up from their spot. I watch as they walk hand in hand for a moment, but movement in front of me catches my eye.
“What can I—” I start, then stop when I see Beck’s moved to the spot the couple just vacated. “I thought I said I wasn’t serving you tonight.”
Beck takes the seat with a smirk. “I don’t need a drink. I told you I came for the company. Have you eaten yet or should I call Lucie?”
“Call Dex, actually. Tell him you want his girlfriend to bring food downtown when they’re supposed to be having family night.”
Beck opens his mouth then shuts it. “Touché,” he mumbles as he leans forward on the bar. “Just tell me if you’re about to pass out so I can look real heroic and catch you.”
I start to respond when a new person hollers at me from across the bar. “Just let me hit my head, you’d be doing me a favor.”
Beck tilts his head with a smirk. “Don’t let me keep you from working, ignore me like you pretend to do all the time.”
I bite my cheek again as I walk away. This will go away eventually, he’ll move on and my crush will fade. If my sister were here, she’d probably slap me for not telling Beck to move on after she helped snap me out of the last relationship I was in.
But she’s not here, and I’ve gained some serious strength since then. My hard exterior can keep Beck at bay, my heart will catch up eventually and we can just be a part of the same friend group.
I make some more drinks and refill Callie and Emma a few more times before I catch a small break.
I might be testing my restraint a bit, but I find my way in front of Beck again and open up one of the granola bars. “So, World Series?”
Beck leans over on the bar with a small smile. “We still have to play in the division series, but I feel good about our odds. You want to come watch?”
I snort a laugh and look around at anyone but him. “I’m not coming as one of your little groupies.”
“Oh, come on, you’d look so cute with my face printed on your shirt.”
I think I’d look pretty cute sitting on your face.Hell, that’s the wrong thought.
“Beckham,” I deadpan.
“I’m kidding, relax. I’m sure Lucie would love the company. If you want to come, it’ll just require a simple poster with ‘I love Beck’written in big block letters.”
“Dios mío, does your ego need stroking on a daily basis? Or is it an hourly thing?”
Beck leans back from the bar with a shrug. “Depends. I start every morning with positive affirmations about how amazing I am. Then the rest filter in naturally from strangers. I’m charismatic, what can I say?”
I meet his emerald eyes. “You’re insufferable.”
Beck gives me that cocky grin. “Stroke my ego, or somewhere else for the tickets, Jenni-cakes.”
