I blink. “Yes.”
He nods once, like he’s relieved I said yes and mad about being relieved.
I lock the door with shaking hands and turn back, forcing myself to sound normal. “So. You’re picking me up.”
“June told me to,” he says flatly.
Of course she did.
“And you listen to June,” I tease, stepping down into the snow.
Beau’s mouth twitches. “June doesn’t request. She commands.”
“Sounds familiar,” I say, because I can’t help myself.
His gaze snaps to mine.
“You think I’m bossy?” he asks.
My breath catches, because the way he says it makes my stomach do something reckless.
“I think you’re…” I search for the right word and fail. “Intense.”
His eyes hold mine. “You don’t seem scared.”
I swallow. “Maybe I should be.”
Beau steps closer—just a little—until his body heat edges into my space.
His voice drops. “Maybe.”
My pulse stutters.
Then he opens the passenger door for me like a gentleman who definitely kissed me senseless two nights ago.
I climb in, trying to gather my dignity off the floor of my own brain.
The drive into town is quiet at first.
Not awkward quiet. Heavy quiet.
The kind where every small movement feels loud—my coat rustling, his hands on the wheel, the low rumble of the engine.
Finally, I blurt, “So… you’ve been avoiding me.”
Beau’s jaw tightens. “I’ve been working.”
“That’s not an answer.”
His eyes flick to mine for a split second, then back to the road. “I wasn’t avoiding you.”
“Mm-hmm.”
He exhales through his nose. “You always do that?”
“Do what?”
“Challenge everything I say.”
