“Except for all the photos of him kissing … Is that the woman he’s marrying?” She leaned forward so they could both look at the screen, and he caught a whiff of grapefruit. Not that he knew women’s scents or anything. He was a guy, after all. But Anthony’s wife ran a soap shop, and she’d had him smell five fruity flavors of soap to help her pick her spring scent. He’d chosen the grapefruit because it was fresh with only a hint of fruit and a twist of citrus. Not that he’d noticed … because he was a guy.
“Yep.” The word came out softer than he’d planned.
“Do you like her?”
Beau considered his thoughts. When he’d first met Allie, he thought she was cute. By the end of the afternoon, he’d fallen for her like the sister he never had. “She’s perfect for Mark.”
Cindy smiled, more to herself than at him, like he’d given just the right answer. He found himself smiling too.
She scrolled down a few more pages. “Ah-ha! Mark DuBois is officially engaged. Blah. Blah Blah. The couple is registered at William & Patricia, located right here in Atlanta, Georgia.”
Beau grabbed her hand and the phone in one swipe. “Let’s go.” He pulled her out of her chair.
She used her free hand to grab her purse and the little pink bag. “Now?”
“Right now.” He picked up his cup and took a long pull. “Yuck.” The smoothie had disintegrated into water with foam on top. “Right after we stop at the Varsity for a burger. That was not food.” He chucked the cup into an open trash bin.
Cindy laughed. “I didn’t think burgers and fries were on hot guys’ diets. Don’t you have a movie to prep for?”
“You think I’m hot?” He bobbed his head. He actually liked working out, liked putting on bulk for the Christian Brockmore role.
“Every woman in America thinks you’re hot.” She avoided the question and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Beau pushed open the doors. The Atlanta heat sucked at his skin. “Including you?” He opened his car door for her.
She smiled shyly and ducked into the car.
Feeling taller, he went around the car and climbed behind the wheel.
Chapter 7
William & Patricia was a furniture store. Couches, love seats, bedroom sets, pool tables, vases, accent pieces, and dining room tables were artfully arranged so that if you bought one piece, you’d feel incomplete unless you bought the one next to it.
Cindy and Beau meandered through the store, looking for just the right gift for Mark and Allie. Cindy didn’t know them—at all—yet Beau asked her opinion.
“How ’bout this?” He pointed to a stuffed bear, frozen on his hind legs with his paws curled forward.
Cindy’s eyebrows shot up. “Does Mark like bears?”
“No, but it would be hilarious.” He went behind the bear, placing his hands on top of the paws. “Grrrr.” He nudged the grizzly forward, leaning into Cindy.
“Aaah.” She used both hands to steady the monstrosity. Beau growled again. Laughing, Cindy pushed the bear back until it stood upright.
“No?” Beau asked.
“No.” She shook her head. Their eyes met and Cindy giggled. “You are a big ol’ goof.”
He shrugged, and they went deeper into the forest of fabrics and textures.
On their right was a beautiful bedroom set with a four-poster bed and a chestler—a dresser/chest with funky handles on the drawers. Off to the side was a matching mirror. Running her hand over the ornate frame, Cindy said, “Mirror, mirror on the wall,”
She caught Beau’s gaze in the reflection. “Who’s the handsomest man of all?”
Beau wiggled his eyebrows as he came to stand next to her.
She laughed. Partly because Beau’s neck was turning red, and partly because there was no Drusilla or Patricia or Natalie in sight, and she was shopping with Beau Mckay. He’d been fishing for compliments, and she enjoyed being reeled in by his charms.
“What did the mirror tell you?” He pulled her to his side and her hand landed on his chest to steady herself. Except touching him and having him close did everything but steady her. She was all sorts of unsteady and weak-kneed.
