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“In the hotel bar?” I arch a brow and Beckett chuckles lightheartedly.

“What can I say? I’m not the brightest of sparks.”

“Or…you rightly assumed most people would be too drunk to notice.”

“Yes, that. Definitely that.” His lips quirk into a half smirk before he takes a sip of what I’m assuming is water due to the clear liquid filling his glass. “Did you have a good night?” he asks.

“I did.” I lift my eyes to his. “My feet are throbbing. Again. And the back of my dress has been digging into me for the last hour, but otherwise, it was a blast.”

Beckett’s empathetic cringe makes me giggle, until he speaks, shutting me right up. “Maybe it’s time to lose the dress.”

“What?” My eyes fly wide as his gaze innocently shifts to my side.

“You said your dress hurts.” He glances back at me, and I stare unblinking as my thoughts catch up.

“Oh, right. Yes.” That is not where my mind went. And didn’t I just establish that a one-night stand was a bad idea?

“Is Ava still here?” He changes the subject, his words like a hand tugging me back to reality, and I shake my head no.

“My mom took her home. She lives about forty minutes from here.”

Beckett nods in understanding. “I bet she wanted to stay. She seemed to be having a great time.”

I smile as Ava’s infectious happiness comes back to mind. “More than I thought she would. I bet that’s all she’ll be talking about for the next few days. For the first time in her life, she asked to watch a princess movie. Which if you knew her, is way out of character.”

“The innocent minds being exposed to romance for the first time.” Beckett chuckles and my smile turns into a laugh. But as his words hit me, my stomach sinks.

“What happened?” He reaches forward, his fingers lightly brushing mine until he seemingly thinks better of it, pulling away.

“I’m fine. How was your night?”

“My night? Did I say something wrong?”

“No. Yes. It’s not your fault. You just made me realize I’m the reason Ava’s never been exposed to romance.”

“What? That’s not what I meant. Most five-year-olds haven’t…” He trails off when I raise an eyebrow and nods a few times. “I shouldn’t speak of things I know nothing about. Sorry.” His face contorts uncomfortably, and I spew apologies at him.

“God, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t… That’s not… Jesus.”

“Hey. It’s okay.” He stands up and moves into the seat next to me, his arm brushing mine, sending a spark racing through my entire body. “I’m here to listen, if you want to explain.”

A slow breath trickles from my lungs as I prepare to change the subject, or at least give him a rushed response. But when I glance up and meet his gaze, something in the depth of his eyes settles the nervous energy threatening to send me spiraling, and instead, I answer honestly.

“I haven’t exactly been able to model romance for Ava, or even help her see that I believe in all that stuff. Mainly because I’m not sure I do. I wouldn’t say I’m cynical, but I’m not like Henley with her book boyfriends and fantasy worlds, where the heroine always gets the guy. I’m more of a realist.”

The words are like vomit, but I can’t stop myself from continuing on. “Men my age don’t usually jump at the idea of dating a single mom, especially one who can’t even say the word sex.” I whisper “sex” and smile, shaking my head incredulously. “Not that I’ve really put myself out there. The point is, I’m not a romantic role model for Ava, and I should be better.”

I pause and my head spins as the blood drains from my face. Beckett’s quiet, and when I glance up, I expect to see him wide-eyed and out of his depth, but instead, he’s frowning.

“Once again, I’m no expert, but I think you’re being too hard on yourself. I can’t imagine you’re parading around with a love stinks banner. We may barely know each other but something tells me that your every thought and action revolves around Ava. I have no doubt that you’re doing what’s right for her every single day. She’s five. She’ll learn about romance soon enough. When she needs to. And if that’s not from you, or whatever princess movie she asks to watch, I’m sure Henley will happily throw romance novels her way as soon as she’s old enough to read them. You’re doing an amazing job, Lily. Don’t ever doubt that.”

I stare at him, frozen in place, my eyes welling with tears as my heart stirs behind my ribs.

“Shit.” Beckett winces as he straightens in his seat, angling his body away from me. “I didn’t⁠—”

“Thank you,” I rush out before he can apologize over seeing me better than any man ever has. Hell, I’m not sure I see myself as the woman he described. “Thank you,” I repeat. “I needed to hear that.”

Butterflies swarm my stomach, and as my cheeks flush warmly, I panic a little.