Page 39 of Crossed Lines

“Why the long faces?” Sawyer’s voice makes me jump. I hadn’t even noticed him walking up to us. “Is everything ok? You guys looked like you were battling it out.”

My brain scrambles to come up with something because the last thing I want to do is put Beck on the spot here and have to discuss the one thing he’s been trying so hard to avoid.

“Uh, we were just debating popsicle flavors. Can you believe this guy?” I hook my thumb in Beck’s direction. “Says he likes grape popsicles. Of all the popsicles, grape? How lame.”

Sawyer looks at Beck. “Grape? Seriously, man?”

Beck thankfully goes along with it. “Yeah, I dunno. It’s just really refreshing, I guess.”

Poor guy probably doesn’t even like grape popsicles. I chuckle to myself as I walk away from them to find Macy.

By the time the fireworks show is about to start at the end of the day, I’m wiped out. We’ve spent the day in the scorching sun watching the parade, the pie-eating contest, and a few other silly competitions. Then we ate and ate and ate some more in between playing games and catching up with people I haven’t seen in years. Most importantly, I’ve been avoiding Beck and Sawyer, which is not an easy feat when you’re stuck in a thirty-thousand-square-foot area.

Unfortunately, my luck runs out when Jade spots me just before the fireworks show. Macy and I are sitting on a curb off the square, and there just so happens to be an open spot next to us. Jade sits down next to me, and I can tell she’s getting sleepy. Her eyes look heavy, and not even a minute into sitting down, she lays her head down on my lap.

Beck sits next to her with Sawyer on the other side of him.

“Wow, you actually managed to tire her out,” I say to Beck. “I didn’t think it was possible.”

“I also had my doubts,” he admits. “But she’s been running around here all day. I think she knows more people here than I do.”

“The power of elementary school.”

“I guess so.”

He smiles at me. He looks lighter than he did earlier. Maybe it’s because he’s tired too, or he’s just glad we talked it out. I hate that we were interrupted, but Sawyer walking up on us was a heavy reminder of why Beck and I would never work out anyway.

I run my hand slowly over Jade’s head, and Beck watches it move back and forth as if he’s trying to memorize this moment. I don’t let myself read into it. He’s not going to change his mind.

The fireworks start, and Jade doesn’t budge. I look down to see she’s fallen fast asleep on my lap.

While everyone is focused on the colors in the sky, Beck shifts his hand to my other hand on the ground propping myself up. His fingers overlap mine just barely but enough for me to know he wishes it were more. It’s a tease, but I want it nonetheless.

When the show finishes, he gently removes Jade from my lap and prepares to carry her back to his truck like she weighs absolutely nothing. It’s incredibly attractive, and I’m really starting to understand why I’ve heard women say men with kids are so hot. It is hot watching him care so much for this tiny human. He’d do anything for her, including not giving himself what he wants.

“See you at home,” Sawyer says, taking off for his truck. My car has been here since last night, so I’ll drive it home tonight.

Beck walks beside Macy and me, and I realize once we’re closer that he’s parked right next to me. I can’t help but wonder if he did that on purpose.

Macy gets in my car without a word, giving me a minute with Beck. He straps Jade into her car seat and then turns to me.

“I’ll see you in the morning? Brooks is covering the morning at the stable, so you don’t need to be there until about ten or so.”

“Yeah, I’ll be there. That’ll give me time to say goodbye to Macy. She’s heading home tomorrow.”

He nods, and then we stand there, staring at each other like we have no idea what to say. I finally blurt out, “I wish I could kiss you goodbye.”

His eyes find mine. “I wish that too, Willow. You have no idea how badly.”

Instead of a kiss, he pulls me into his body for a hug. It’s not exactly what I want, but it’ll suffice. I wrap my arms around him as he pulls me in tighter. I could stay like this all night, wrapped up in his arms. If we both didn’t have people waiting on us, I would never leave this spot.

He kisses the side of my head before he lets me go. “Be careful driving home,” he murmurs against my head.

“It’s like two right turns away from here,” I say, like he doesn’t know where the house I’ve lived in for most of my life is.

“Well, most accidents happen close to home.”

“Alright, I’ll be careful,” I say, trying not to laugh. He’s cute when he’s in Dad Mode.