The waitress came by to take our orders, and conversation flowed easier than I'd expected. I'd expected it to be awkward with Beau, but he surprised me there.
He asked about our lives, listened with genuine interest when Elena talked about her work, and laughed at my sarcastic commentary about the restaurant's attempt at "fusion cuisine."
"I have a son," Beau mentioned during a lull in conversation. "Connor. He's traveling the world right now with his wife and their little girl. They're in Thailand at the moment, I think. Or maybe Australia? He moves around so much I can barely keep track."
"That sounds exciting," Elena said.
"It is. He's living his dream." Beau's smile was fond. "I'm proud of him for it. And honestly, it gives me more time to focus on other things. Like getting to know this incredible woman."
He looked at Anna like she was the only person in the room.
Damn. That was something every woman dreamed of.
"Actually," Beau continued, straightening slightly. "I wanted to suggest something, if you're both open to it. A spa day. My treat. I know we're just getting to know each other, but I want you both to know that I only want good things for Anna. I care about her deeply, and anyone important to her is important to me."
Elena and I exchanged a look across the table. Her eyes held the same cautious hope I felt.
"That's generous," Elena said carefully.
"Very generous," I added. "You don't have to?—"
"I want to," Beau insisted. "Please. It would make me happy. And like I said, Connor is off doing his own thing, I spoil him as best I can, but I'd like to do this for you three."
Anna squeezed his hand, her smile soft and grateful. She then shot us both looks, and I had to contain my giggle. It was one that begged us to accept since she didn't want to let him down. She wanted us to allow him to feel like a provider. It was sweet, and definitely not one we could deny.
"Okay, thank you. We'd love that," Elena caved, and I nodded.
"What kind of woman says no to pampering?" I added, and Beau grinned like we'd just given him a grand trophy. Maybe in his mind, we had.
For the next twenty minutes, Beau regaled us with stories about Anna like we hadn't known her our entire lives. How talented she was at painting after their paint and sip date. How her cooking was to die for. He could make the money to take her out for meals, but he'd never been much of a cook himself, apparently.
"He's being modest," Anna cut in. "He's an excellent baker. Makes the most wonderful breads and cakes. Taste-wise, anyway."
Beau's face flushed. "Yes, I'm still trying to perfect icing and whatnot, how to make it look nice."
"Well, mom can help with that. She used to help us make cupcakes," I said with a grin. "Can't you?" I glanced at Anna, who was also smiling fondly.
"Of course. We can work on some things together." She patted his hand, and Beau's blush deepened.
Seeing them so fond of one another was making me feel all mushy.
"Honestly, it's impressive. I can barely make toast without burning it," I stated as I sipped my water.
"She's not exaggerating," Elena confirmed.
Anna laughed, the sound light and musical. "I told him I could teach him to cook if he wants. I don't mind."
"I'd like that," Beau said softly, looking at her with that same tender expression.
They'd only been together a month and a bit, but watching them together felt like witnessing something rare. Something precious.
Something I could only hope to find one day. Although, given my track record, I wasn't holding my breath.
Eric.
I blinked, trying to force the sudden image of him from my mind. I didn't need to be thinking about him still. I needed him far from my mind.
And yet, he was always there, floating at the edge, waiting for a chance to be dragged in by a stray thought or something that connected to him.
