“It would be different this time, Harper.”
“Kind of hard to believe that. There’s not a lot of trust between us.”
“Give me a chance?—”
“Hunter,” she sighs out, clearly sounding torn.
“I’ll make you a fucking vow right now, Beau Harper. If you give me just one more chance, I will make sure that you donotregret it.”
“Dinner. Then …” She stops talking. I don’t push her. I just wait. I don’t know if my wait was just a minute or longer. I was too busy worrying that she was going to tell me to go fuck myself. My hand tightens up on my phone by reflex. This is too important. I’m not sure where to go from here if she doesn’t give me a chance. I know that Beau turning her back on me is what I deserve. It’s also something I can’t accept. This woman means something to me. I’m truly starting to believe she was meant to be mine. I never believed in soulmates—despite my father and uncle both saying that’s what Mom and Aunt Beth were to them. Still, I don’t think I’d have this pull to Beau if there wasn’t something at work here. I’ve never felt it before, and I have to believe that means something. Sadly, I can’t lay that shit on her yet, not completely. She’d probably think I was insane. I want time to get my head completely clear and straight. I want to seeher interact more with my son. Yet, I know—unless something drastic happens—Beau Harper will be on the back of my bike. She will be in my bed and most of all, she will be at my side and close to my son.
“Harper?” I prompt when she still hasn’t said anything else.
“Let’s just start with dinner and during that time you need to try not to do anything that makes me regret agreeing to spend time with you.”
“Sounds good, beautiful. How about I start showing you what an awesome man I can be by letting you go so you can get some sleep?”
“That actually does sound like a good plan.”
“Goodnight, Harper. I’m going to miss you.”
“Goodnight, Hunter, sweet dreams.”
“My dreams will be of you, so they should be fucking spectacular,” I purr.
“You’re such a damn flirt.”
“Hang up, Harper. I can’t make myself because I don’t want to let you go. That means you’re going to have to end this call for the both of us.”
“You’re weird Hunter Davis. You know that, right?”
“I’ve been told that,” I respond with a laugh.
“Sweet dreams,” she mutters again, but this time while disconnecting.
I bring my phone to where I’m laying down, already wishing that Beau would call me back.
“I’ve got it bad,” I mumble into the darkness in my room. That should worry the fuck out of me. Instead, I fall asleep with a smile on my face. I also do it while looking forward to tomorrow. That hasn’t happened in a fucking long time.
Just one more reason why I’m going to see this through. The promise of what I could have with Beau is better than anythingI’ve ever tasted in my life. I won’t be giving it up without a fight. And just to say, I haven’t been beaten yet.
And I’m not going to start now.
Chapter 9
Beau
He toldme to dress nicely and I obsessed over what I was wearing. I mean, I knew what steakhouse we were going to, but I wasn’t sure what Hunter expected when he took a woman out on a date. I didn’t want to overdress. I also am not the woman who pretends to be someone she is not. With all that in mind I wore my favorite jeans. They fit me perfectly, and somehow make my much too generous ass look good. I paired that with a soft pink sweater that falls off my right shoulder. I also put my hair up, allowing a few strands to fall down around my face. I wore diamond stud earrings that my father bought me when I graduated. I went light on the makeup, mostly because I always do. I also wore pink heels, and I suppose that was me showing I was dressing up. I’m usually either wearing boots or one of the many pairs of Hey Dudes I own. Seriously, they’re like walking on air. If I’m not in those? I’m in my flipflops. They’re flipflops I pay a fortune for, but they’re comfortable and never let me down. So, heels? That’s big for me. I mean, yeah, I can wear them, but not often. I doubt Hunter will catch on when it comes to the simple change I’ve made—which is probably a good thing. Besides, he seems to like how I look, so I’m not going to worry about it.
Hunter did choose well tonight. Corbin isn’t a town known for fine dining, but this place is one of my favorites. The food is really good. Although, I don’t eat out that much unless it’s fast food or Italian because that’s what the guys I work with drift toward. I know girls are supposed to love shit like this, but it’s not my thing really. We do go to Remi’s often, but if I had my choice, I’d choose to cook at home for my family. Yet, I’d never tell Hunter that. He made an effort and that means a lot.
I’m pulled away from my thoughts when the hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I can’t stop the instant shudder that moves through me. I turn and look around the immediate area with a caution that’s born from experience.
“Everything okay?” Hunter asks.
“Just a weird feeling. You know? Like there’s someone staring at you or what’s that old wives’ tale? Someone is walking over my grave.”
“Babe you’re sexy as hell. There are all kinds of men looking at you and every single one of them is wishing they were me right now.”
