“That way.” He pointed to the right and put his hand on my back as he ushered me along.
It was a good thing he’d given me his jacket, because if he’d touched me over the thin fabric of my dress, there was no telling what might happen. As it was, I felt my body temperature rise as he led me to his BMW in the parking lot and opened the door. I took off the jacket after climbing inside.
“Keep that on,” he said.
“I just needed it outside. It feels good in here.”
I folded it, keeping it on my lap as he closed the door. I could do this. I’d bring up our project and focus on that.
As he climbed into the car, I pulled up the navigation on my phone.
“You live in the Irish Channel?” he asked when he looked at the screen.
“Yes! You know the area?”
“I’ve been there a few times but don’t know it well.”
“I live in a shotgun house. Well, two shotgun houses that have been joined together.”
“That’s an interesting choice,” Beckett said as the car sped forward.
“I dreamt about living in one when I was a kid. Then as an adult, when I first saw the inside, I realized it was far too small. But then I found this one. I feel like it has so much personality and history. I love it.”
“Can’t wait to see it,” Beckett said.
I shimmied in my seat, licking my lips. Was he expecting an invitation inside? Because I was more than ready to extend one.
Damn it, Piper. You’re supposed to talk about the project. The commercial.Come up with something. Anything.
I couldn’t, though.
“Have you been living there long?”
“I bought the house five years ago. Before that, I lived in the Marigny.”
“Interesting.” He snapped his head in my direction before focusing on the road again. “You liked it?”
“A lot! I wanted to stay, but I couldn’t find something I could afford.” I laughed, remembering that everyone was looking at me like I was crazy when I told them what I’d wanted. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I’m looking at houses in that area.”
“You want to move out of the penthouse?” It was the most splendid place I’d ever seen, so I was surprised he’d want to leave it.
“I’d like something with a yard for Charlotte. I love the penthouse, but when I bought it, I never envisioned having a family.”
“Despite the fact that you have five siblings?”
“All six of us were single until not too long ago, sharing the same credo.”
“So, what happened?”
“Not sure.”
I barely bit back laughter because he sounded truly miffed. “Maybe they just met the right one,” I suggested.
“That’s what everyone says. I just… Never mind.”
I decided to change topics. “So, you want a house for Charlotte?” My heart was growing in size, loving the concern he had for his daughter.
