Page 27 of Crossed Lines

“Yes! You promise?” she asks.

“I pinky promise. And you can’t break a pinky promise.” I stick out my pinky finger, and she wraps her sticky finger around it. “Maybe we’ll even let your dad try a bite if we’re feeling nice that day.”

She giggles. “He can have the banana.”

“I’ll have you know that I like bananas,” Beck says before he leans down and kisses Jade’s cheek.

“I’m gonna share my milkshake with my babies,” she announces, and I glance back to the couch to see where we lined up all her dolls earlier. She wanted to play school, and I let her keep them there while we were cleaning so the dolls could also learn how to clean, obviously.

She leaves Beck and me on our own in the kitchen. It’s the only time we’ve been alone all week, so I take the plunge and ask him what’s been bothering me.

“Did I do something to upset you?” I’m proud of myself for not letting my voice shake. Beck has always been part of my life. I’ve always been comfortable around him. But since I’ve been back, it’s felt a little different. The last thing I want is for him to be upset with me.

“No, Willow. Of course not. Why would you think that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. You’ve been kind of distant this week. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t do anything.”

He sighs, and his shoulders slump. “Shit. No. Willow. It’s not you. It’s definitely not you. It’s just me…”

“Just you? Are you ok?” I immediately start wondering if he’s received some bad news recently that might be consuming his thoughts. I feel stupid for thinking his mood might be because of me. Why would it? I mean, I’m just Sawyer’s sister. His nanny. I’m literally no one to him.

“Yeah… I. I don’t know. My mind has been a little confused, I guess,” he says.

Now I’m even more confused.

“Oh. Ok. Is there something I can help with?” I ask.

He huffs a laugh. “No. You’ve done enough.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He shakes his head. “I shouldn’t be talking to you about this. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m fine though, really. You haven’t done anything wrong.”

He starts to turn, but I stop him by wrapping my hand around his bicep. His very strong bicep. “Wait. You know you can talk to me, right?”

He looks at my hand around his arm, and I drop it quickly. “Not about this, I can’t.”

“Beck. Come on,” I press.

“It’s inappropriate, Willow.”

“I love inappropriate things,” I say, thinking he’s got some good gossip. Although as soon as I say it, I wonder if he’s dating someone and he doesn’t want to tell me. I think about rescinding my offer to talk to him, but I don’t. In truth, I’d do anything for Beck. Even if it means talking about his potential partner. “Come on. What is it? Are you dating someone?”

He glances over his shoulder to make sure Jade didn’t hear me and quickly turns back to me. “Shh. Keep your voice down.”

My stomach drops. He is dating someone. Ok, that’s ok. I can handle it. I straighten my shoulders and prepare for impact.

“It’s not that. I’m not dating anyone, but I am having… feelings for someone that I shouldn’t.”

“Why shouldn’t you? Any woman would be lucky to have you.”

He chuckles. “I’m glad you think so. But this woman is very off limits.”

I gasp and then whisper, “Is she married?”

He shakes his head. “No. No. She’s…”

“She’s what? Out with it, man. You’re killing me here.” I’m not sure why I want to know so badly. Maybe so I can compare myself to the woman who’s consuming his thoughts?