“Oh yeah? Was it Hollywood trying to draw you away after the videos we made over the weekend?” He laughs because he knows damn well, I haven’t posted them yet. He has alerts set for my posts so he can see how they are doing. Honestly, at this point, I should probably give him access to our accounts.
“Pfft.” I wave away his ridiculous comment. “Do you think I’d be here if they did?”
“Yes. As much as you complain about your siblings, I don’t think you could leave them.” He gives my hand a squeeze. “So, who was this mystery message from?”
There’s no way to gently say it. “Rob.”
The grip he has on my hand loosens the slightest bit. Like I could pull my hand away if I wanted to…I don’t.
“Wh-what did he say?” Beau has never sounded unsure of himself in his life. Right now, he sounds like he’s seconds away from questioning all his life decisions.
“He asked if I was interested in that second date.” There’s no use in letting him think I even considered it. “I told him I was seeing someone, and he wished us the best.”
His sigh of relief is loud enough to be heard over the water lapping against the sides of our floats. He was actually worried I would go on that second date. Maybe he doesn’t have as much trust in me as I do in him.
We pass by a small group of women who just entered the river. It’s probably one of my favorite parts about this certain attraction. We aren’t stuck going all the way around. We can get on or off wherever we want. I used to get out sooner than my siblings because they terrorized me when we came in.
“Thanks for letting me know.” His voice is thick and pulls me away from memory lane. “I know you didn’t have to. We never said whether or not we were exclusive.”
“As if I could date anyone else while dating you.” He knows damn well, I’m pretty exclusive when I’m dating someone. Not that there’s been many people who’ve made it past a couple of months. I’m not the sort of person to play the field.
“Oh, I know that. I just wonder if me declaring my feelings may have messed up something with him. You talked about a second date, and you never do that unless you’re interested.”
Okay, I can’t take any more of this gloomy shit. He needs to know exactly where I stand. Right here and right now.
I slide off my float and almost go under because it’s so abrupt. Luckily, the water isn’t deep and I gain my footing quickly. I pull him to the side where most moms have their toddlers. I don’t want to be in the way.
Looping my arm through my float, I place both hands on the side of his float. No doubt I look ridiculous trying to avoid getting hit in the face with mine. But he needs to see me for this.
“You. Do. Not. Have. Anything. To. Worry. About.” Hopefully he gets the point. “I’ve had a crush on you for years, but I didn’t want to rock the boat. There’s no chance in hell I was going to throw this away for a second date with someone who doesn’t hold a candle to you.”
He stares at me. It’s the first time I’ve ever been this direct with him when it comes to my feelings. I usually brush things to the side, unless it has to do with my brothers. He gets to hear all those passion filled rants. It’s not easy for me to shock him, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t satisfying.
Beau holds his hands up in surrender. “You don’t have to talk to me like I’m five. I know you would never do that to me.”
“Apparently, I do.” I shove my float next to his and almost hit a passerby. “Now, stop moping and help me get back into my float. We’re not done enjoying the day.”
There’s no argument from him. He hooks his foot around the pole by the entrance and holds my float with one hand while using the other to give me balance as I climb my way back in.
Hopefully this cures any and all doubts he might have about us. “Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. Mom and Dad are having a cookout next weekend and told me to invite you.”
“Have I ever not been invited?”
“No, but I guess since we’re dating, they want it to be a little more formal.” At least my family loves Beau. They always have.
twenty-two
. . .
beau
Piper’s admissionhas been eating at me since we left the waterpark. She truly didn’t have to because I completely trust her. More than she should be trusting me considering the secret I’m harboring.
In over ten years of being friends, we’ve never lied to each other. While I haven’t flat out lied, I’m omitting the role her brother is playing in our marketing efforts. It’s practically the same thing.
My phone rings. Mr. Gardner’s name flashing across the screen. It’s Saturday, what the hell does he want? Fear that something happened with one of my accounts courses through my body. That’s the only reason he would be calling me on the weekend.
“Hello?” I can’t keep the confusion from seeping through the greeting.
