“Becket, I’ve told you…”
“It’s a yes or no question, Ellie.If you’re really unaware of this connection between us, I won’t bother you again.”
“Connection?”
He turned to face her.Reluctantly, she turned to look at him.She was wary.For the first time Cooper’s words of last night really registered—she’d been hurt.
“Dinner.Nothing else.”He smiled.“Except if the lady asks, of course.Then we can renegotiate the terms.”
Lifting an eyebrow, she gave him a cool look.“The lady won’t ask; don’t hold your breath.”
Something warm opened up inside of him.“Is that a yes?”he asked hesitantly.
Rolling her eyes, she groaned out loud.“Okay, yes.But just this once and just because everyone is going on about the fact that I never go out.But I know all about you, Becket Weston, I’m not falling for your charms.”
He had a hard time not smiling.She was agreeing to go out with him.“Pick you up at seven?”
“Thanks, but I can meet you there…”
He briefly touched her arm.“My mama would skin my alive, if I don’t pick you up.Please let me?So, what do you think about the house?”
“That’s what I also want to know!”Willow was walking toward them, Vivian on her heels.“Have you seen the kitchen?Look, I don’t even cook, but I may just be tempted to try my hand at something in that one.”She motioned toward the kitchen.
Ellie laughed.“It’s a lovely house and, yes, I’d love to be able to rent it.I just don’t know whether Gloria would be interested in letting it?It’s such a beautiful place, it would probably sell very quickly.”
Vivian nodded.“Gloria is supposed to be back tomorrow.I’ll find out how she feels about it and let you know.”
Chewing her lip, Ellie turned around slowly.“You know, I haven’t really thought about it, but I could of course buy the place and just sell it when I want to move on,” she murmured as if talking to herself.
“Are you serious?”his mother asked.
Frowning slightly, Ellie nodded.“It doesn’t mean I’m settling here forever, but it would be nice to have a house to call my own.And maybe when I feel like packing up and leaving, I could let it.That way I’ll always have a place to come back to.”She clasped her hands together.“This house is so exactly what I’ve always dreamed about.Do you think Gloria will talk to me tonight?I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Vivian hugged her.“I’m sure she’d be more than happy to know she doesn’t have to worry about finding a buyer.”
Becket was feeling slightly lightheaded.He’d just convinced himself it was safe to ask Ellie on a date, because she wasn’t staying in Marietta permanently.Now she was buying a house?The one he’d sketched.The one she’d talked about.Which meant she wasn’t leaving soon.Problem?
Her soft laughter reached his ears.His body tightened.She was still insisting she wasn’t staying, though, even if she were to come back at times.
Frowning, he stared at her.But surely by then this whole crazy need for her would be gone, wouldn’t it?
Chapter Seven
As they walkedback to Vivian and Aiden’s house, Ellie’s mind was racing.She hadn’t meant to blurt out in front of everyone that she was thinking of buying the house, it had just slipped out.
She turned and looked over her shoulder.It was so crazy.She’d never been to the house, but everything felt so familiar.
Janice took her arm.“I’m so glad you like the house!”
“I’ve just been thinking about it,” Ellie said.“It’s so strange that the house I’ve always dreamed about is right here, in Marietta.”
As they chatted about the house, Ellie’s eyes fell on Becket who was walking with his mom a few steps in front of her.Swallowing a groan, she forced her eyes away from his very sexy butt.She’d agreed to go on a date with the town bad boy.How did that happen?Why did she do that?Hadn’t she been adamant she wasn’t dating again?
She blamed those freaking blue eyes he’d batted.And okay, yes, he was right.There was something between them.Not really a ‘connection’, though; that was taking it too far.Connection implied something deep and meaningful and, if she wasn’t mistaken, what was happening between them was very superficial.Lust, nothing more.
She hadn’t been with a man since she’d left Marcus.That had been months ago and before that she hadn’t really wanted him to touch her anyway.
“You know, Ellie,” Janice was saying, “I’ve been thinking about your shop.You’re there all day and every day.Have you thought of getting someone to help you?Maybe take over for half a day so that you’re not stuck inside all the time?”
