But here? Where everyone knew your business and trying new restaurants meant driving at least forty minutes from home?
I looked at him, unsure what to say.
“You don’t know.”
It wasn’t a question.
“What amazes me is how well we know each other, and yet all this time…”
His half smile meant Beck wasn’t going to let me off the hook.
“You liked me,” I finished, lamely.
“That’s one way to put it.”
He smelled so good. Looked so good. There was a time, way back in middle school, the younger version of me would have died for Beck to look at me the way he was right now. Before I realized he would break my heart if we ever “went there.”
Never date the neighbor.
They really created a rule. For me.
This was too heavy for a sunny Saturday afternoon eating ice cream. I’d planned on telling him about my research but couldn’t do it. Starting a business here meant I was staying in Cedar Falls. He’d asked if I could be happy here, and until I could answer that question with confidence, I wouldn’t put us down that path.
“I found an apartment.”
That brought me out of my reverie.
“Are you serious?”
“Yep. That’s what I was doing in town. It’s actually a double, three hundred block of Lake Street. Eventually I’d like to buy something, obviously, but in the meantime it’s close to the bar and for rent.”
“You’re moving out of the inn?”
I was shocked. When Beck first told me about the arrangement, I’d teased that Mason would never get them out of there. It was like college all over again.
“It was never meant to be permanent. The renovations are just about done. Parker will be moving out as soon as the house is finished. And with the baby coming…” He shrugged. “It’s time.”
Holy shit.
The bar. An apartment.
He was really trying.
“Wow,” I teased. “I honestly thought you and the guys would grow old there, sitting on the back deck with your cigars talking about the good ol’ days.”
“Don’t rule that out,” he said, finishing his milkshake.
Beck stood to toss it out, giving me a very fine view of his very fine ass.
“Caught you looking,” he said, turning around quickly.
“You’re ridiculous.”
He tossed his empty shake like it was a three-point shot. Hit it, of course. Beck was one of those guys that was good at every sport he tried, including basketball.
“Do you remember the time?—”
“I kissed you?” he asked.
