“My bad,” I said, keeping my tone light despite the sudden, and unexpected, pang in my chest at the thought.
“Third,” he said, “I appreciate you’re finally getting my appeal.”
This was tricky territory. “I always have,” I admitted. “To a woman looking for a good time, I get it. You are good-looking, charming, etcetera, etcetera.”
He had that “look” about him. The one that drew in countless women.
“Let’s explore those etceteras.”
“Now you’re just fishing for compliments,” I accused.
“Maybe.”
“Well, you’re not getting any more from me.”
“No?”
“No.”
Shrugging, he took a sip of wine, watching me.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
“You’re looking at me weird.”
“Anytime I get serious, you think it’s weird.”
“True. What’s with the serious face all of a sudden?”
It was getting harder and harder not to notice Beck, now that I had, inthatway.
“I can be more than a good time.”
The words didn’t penetrate, at first. They were so unlike anything Beck had ever said, I had to run the phrase through my head a few times. He needed to clarify.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, I have real relationships. With you. With the guys. With my sister. I’m capable of them.”
“Of course you are. But we’re talking about something entirely different. Romantic relationships are a whole different beast, and that’s not something you’re into.”
“People change.” Beck downed his wine, hopped off the bed and went for more.
“You do realize wine is meant to be sipped, right?”
“You do realize I’ve been bartending since college? This is kinda my forte.” This time he sat on the edge of the bed with his full wine, closer to me.
“Just checking.”
“Mmm hmm.”
“So,” I ventured. “Have you changed? I thought the whole pact was about you never wanting to get married. Color me confused, but how do you get involved in a serious relationship if you have no intention of getting married?” Then realizing that wasn’t quite right, I added, “Unless you’re in a relationship with someone who also doesn’t want to get married, I guess.”
“Mason and Parker took the pact too, and look at them.”
“True. But we’re not talking about Mason and Parker. We’re talking about you.”
