“One, the thought of your mouth filled with something, and I’m not talking about the wine, is the stuff of dreams. Mine in particular. Two, keeping it PG, now that the secret’s out, is not a viable option, Mae.”
I waited for the rest, my traitorous body responding to every word.
“And three?”
“And three?”
Beck’s grin turned lethal.
“And three… you should probably stay the night. Since you’re drinking wine and all.”
“Beck—”
“Don’t worry, Mae. I meant in the guest room.”
A beat.
“Unless you ask nicely.”
27
BECK
“Your room, my lady.”
Could Pia have escorted Mae? Sure. Did I need to open the door and step inside for her to find her room? No.
“Thank you, kind sir, for your escort.”
“This is the Julie room, named after Parker’s mom’s best friend.”
“Really?”
Mae flipped on a lamp, headed to the window and opened the curtain.
“Sorry, no lakeview, those are all sold out. Which is surprising to me, how many people are on vacation on a Tuesday.”
She turned toward me.
“Not so surprising. Everyone has a different story. Some are probably still here from the wedding.”
“True.”
“And maybe another is in town for the whole week.”
“A week in Cedar Falls?” I asked, skeptical.
“It’s not a bad home base to explore all the lakes.”
“Maybe,” I said, stepping back, leaning against the door frame. I didn’t want to assume too much, having talked Mae into staying.
Putting the kit of toiletries Pia had given her on the dresser, Mae not having come prepared to stay, she sat on the bed.
“You guys did a great job with the renovations.”
“It was mostly Pia’s good taste. We just grunted and nodded and painted what she told us to.”
“Sounds about right. And you can come in,” she said. “You’ll scare the guests, lurking out there.”
