“Yes, Mom.”Willow hugged her mom.“We don’t miss Sunday lunch for anything.”
“Janice, you and Ellie are welcome to join us,” his mom invited the two women.
Janice shook her head.“Thanks, but Vivian and Aiden have invited the family for lunch this Sunday.”
“What about you, Ellie?”his mom asked.
“Thanks, but I have a new book and…”
“Nonsense, it will be lovely to see you,” his mom insisted.
“Thanks, Arlene,” Ellie said firmly.“Maybe another time.”
Becket swallowed his grin.His mother wasn’t used to anyone sayingnoto her.She was looking positively let down.
“Oh, well.You’re welcome any time.”
Ellie hugged his mom.“Thanks, Arlene.Good night.”
Willow patted her arm.“It would’ve been lovely to see you, but I understand.We Westons can be a tad overwhelming.I do have questions aboutNorth and South, though.I may come and bother you sometime during the week.”
Ellie hugged his sister.“Of course.Any time.”
“Let me help with that, Janice,” Becket said and took the basket Janice had in her hands.
Janice kept the conversation going all the way to where she’d parked.Ellie didn’t say a word.Becket helped Janice into her car and made sure the doors were locked before he stepped away.
As soon as Janice drove away, Ellie made a beeline for her car.“Thanks, bye!”she called out without looking at him again.With long strides, he followed her.As she unlocked her car he stepped forward and opened the door for her.
“I’m quite capable of opening the door on my own,” she said stiffly, but got into the car.
“Goodnight, Ellie.”He didn’t close the door.“Don’t I get a hug?”
She ignored him and tried to pull the door closed.“Goodnight.”
“My name is Becket.”
“I know.”
“I’m waiting.”
She rolled her eyes.“Goodnight, Becket.”
“See?Not so difficult.”
As he closed the door, she’d already started the car.Knocking on the window, he motioned to her to roll it down.Clearly irritated with him, she opened the window only a few inches.“Yes?”
He bent down, resting his hands on the door of her car.“Still not interested in kissing and making out?”
For the first time that night, her eyes actually met his.And for a nanosecond he could swear he saw something flash in the back of those blue depths.Desire?
“So not interested.Not ever.”
“You sure about that?”He wasn’t quite sure why he was persisting.“I kinda liked the way your body fitted against mine earlier.”
She laughed.Out loud.
Taken aback, he stared at her.What the hell was so funny?
