“I’m not sure how much help he’ll be either,” she teases, before looping her arm through mine and gently hip-checking me. “But some help is better than none.”
Becca continues saying something to Betty, but I’ve stopped listening, unable to drag my eyes off her face. The way her eyes light up as she talks, the way she just makes the entire space feel brighter. She steals my breath.
“What is this?” Betty asks, a mischievous glint in her gaze as she points at Becca holding my arm.
Becca’s cheeks turn the cutest shade of pink. Ignoring Betty’s question, she shifts her attention to me and pushes the cup she’s holding toward me. “Michelle saw you standing here and handed this to me.”
“That was nice of her,” I say right before taking a swig of some much-needed caffeine. Betty’s still watching us like a hawk, but something tells me she knows there isn’t going to be an answer. “Are you ready?”
Relief fills Becca’s eyes, and I chuckle. “Yup.”
“It was so good to see you, Mrs…umm Betty.”
“Are you going to be staying around?” She asks as Becca pulls me toward the door.
“Depends,” I shout back over my shoulder and tip my head toward Becca.
Mrs. Clark’s laughter can be heard until the door to the coffee shop closes.
“Embarrassed of me, Becs?”
She catches my gaze and rolls her eyes, not letting go of my arm, but the adorable shade of pink is back.
Moving my mouth next to her ear, I whisper, “You’ve always looked super cute when you blush.”
“STAAAAAAAHP!” She smacks me, her face turning an even brighter shade of pink.
Snickering, I press my lips against her temple and grin. “So what type of decorating torture do you—”
“Jake, Becca?” The smile on my face freezes as I glance up to find my best friend and his wife, watching us, glaring at Becca’s arm looped through mine.
“Becca!” Jane, John’s wife, rushes from her husband’s side, gives her sister-in-law a hug, then whisks her a few feet away, leaving me with John.
His lips are drawn in a straight line, and his eyes glitter with anger. “What’s going on?” His voice clipped.
I know exactly what he’s asking, but I choose to evade the question. “Becca and I are heading over to finish up decorating for the fundraiser.” I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “Are you and Jane joining us?”
“You know what I’m talking about, Jake,” he growls, “I’m talking aboutyouand Becca.”
Raking a hand through my hair, I blow out a heavy breath. “I know, I just didn’t think about talking about it here,” I look around at all the people walking on the block to make my point, “was the best idea.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, he stares at me. When I take a sip of my coffee, I notice him tapping his foot, and I snort, nearly spitting out my drink.
“You think this is funny?”
“You acting like we’re nineteen?” The corner of my mouth lifts. “A bit.”
The women’s voices move closer to us. “Look, John, there’s a bunch I need to talk to you about. But right now isn’t the best time. What I can say now is that I love your sister. I always have.”
His eyes widen, and the hardness in them softens a smidge. At that exact moment, Becca entwines her fingers with mine as she leans in and gives her brother a kiss on the cheek. Something settles deep inside my gut.
“You and Jane will be at the fundraiser later tonight, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” John turns to his sister, and the tension on his face is replaced with a deep affection. “It’s the last one for your boys.”
“I can’t believe it! How did they grow up so fast? It was just yesterday that Steven was learning to walk.”
John puts a hand on each of Becca’s arms and squeezes. “Caleb would’ve loved it. I’m sorry he isn’t here to witness it.”
