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Chapter Twelve
Eve woke early the next morning even though she’d been up late waiting for the locksmith to finish and then had a hard time settling down, checking on Paisley and kissing her cheek and forehead repeatedly throughout the night. She did a weight workout in her exercise room, showered, and made Paisley pancakes for breakfast.
Her darling girl skipped down to the table in her princess nightgown. “Cake-cakes! I love you, Mama!”
Eve hugged her tightly. “I love you too, doll.”
They headed to the gym after Paisley ate and got ready. Eve felt a dart of trepidation as she dropped her girl off at the daycare. She knew she was being silly but something had her unsettled. Mark wasn’t stupid enough to kidnap Paisley, right? He could try to prove paternal rights but that would take time and money. She doubted he cared about her or Paisley unless he thought they could bring him money. He was probably long gone.
She met with her first training appointment, Trudy, but noticed the second Beck walked into the gym. Her face lit up with a happy smile. He caught her eye and returned her grin. Eve wanted to be alone with him and tell him everything that had happened with Mark. She knew he’d be proud of her for being so strong and she could hardly wait to kiss him and hear him say he loved her again. She wondered if she should’ve called him last night or this morning. Would he be upset that she hadn’t? She wasn’t very good at this dating stuff but she felt certain Beck wouldn’t get upset with her. She also knew he’d protect her, trust her, be there for her, kiss her until she wanted to beg him to marry her. Her stomach swooped. Where had that last thought come from? Maybe someday she and Beck could talk marriage, but it was definitely a long, long way off.
“Somebody is whipped,” Trudy said, grunting through a clean and press.
“Oh, yes, I am,” Eve admitted.
“Ooh-ee.” Trudy set the weighted bar down and wiped her forehead with a chilled towel. “You are the luckiest woman in Colorado.”
“Maybe in the nation,” Eve said, winking. She caught Beck’s gaze again and felt her cheeks go red. Had he heard her? She’d tell him that herself, she’d yell it to the world.
She forced Trudy back to work. The time went slowly as she trained Trudy until ten then a young mom named Lolly until eleven. Beck caught her eye often and sent the most appealing smiles in her direction. John was her eleven o’clock appointment and the man acted really strange. He was irritable and seemed like he wanted to tell her something but then he’d clamp his lips shut and push through a lift with a huffy breath. Every time he caught her gazing at Beck he’d mutter something indiscernible.
Finally, Eve asked, “Is everything okay, John? You seem… off.”
He set down his weights and stared at her. “Are you dating Beckett Tanner?”
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Are you going to marry him?” he demanded.
Eve stepped back. “We just started dating. It’s not that serious, as in marriage serious.” She felt guilty the instant she said that. It was serious. They’d told each other they loved each other. Yet she was pretty marriage-phobic after Mark. But she also knew Beck was nothing like her ex and she was grateful he was willing to take it slow for her.
John seemed to settle down. “Oh, okay. I don’t want to badmouth anyone, but if it gets serious… please talk to me before you commit to anything.” He cast another glare Beck’s way.
Eve wondered if he was just jealous because she’d turned him down for several date offers. She couldn’t imagine anything he could say that would not cast Beck in a positive light. She was grateful when they finished and John went on his way.
She hurried to her office to put on lip gloss and spritz on some body splash then speed-walked back down the stairs and toward the daycare. Beck was already there, holding Paisley as she talked a mile a minute. Abbie stood nearby. They all glanced her way as she approached and Eve loved Paisley’s happy cry of, “Mama!” and she loved Beck’s warm, appreciative glance. Seeing her girl in this strong, incredible man’s arms was perfect. It felt so right. He felt so right.
Beck walked to her and stole a quick kiss. “Lunch?”
She nodded. “Can we get takeout from D’Deli and go to the park?” It was actually Eve’s turn to provide lunch and she usually made a picnic but she had been tired and off this morning. She knew Beck wouldn’t care what they ate, as long as they were together.
“The park?” Paisley clapped her hands. “That’s my bestestest place!”
They shared a smile, thanked Abbie, and headed outside. They grabbed lunch and found a spot at a picnic table close to the playset where they could watch Paisley play and still talk.
The story of Mark coming back last night spilled out quickly. Beck was furious at Mark but reassured Eve she’d done exactly what she should’ve done. They forgot all pretense of eating as Beck pulled her in close and kissed her forehead. “I’m so proud of you. You’re such a strong, brave woman.”
Eve cuddled into him. “Thank you.”
“Next time… please call me so I can hit him again?”
Eve laughed. “There won’t be a next time, sorry.” She smiled up into his blue eyes and cupped his cheek with her palm. “Have I told you that I love your eyes?”
He gave her a smoldering look with those eyes. “Not as much as I love yours.”
“Have I told you I love your lips?” She stole a quick kiss.
“Not as much as I love yours.” He kissed her longer.
