Following the line of sight of the kid who had whistled, Beau sucked in a quick breath and felt his pulse jump into overdrive. Ashlee, wearing a blue tank and formfitting yoga pants, was crossing the gym floor and heading straight for him. A smile curved her mouth when their eyes met, and she lifted a hand to wave at him.
“Dang, is she here to see you?” the kid said, turning to look at Beau.
“Afraid so,” Beau said, as it hit him that his attraction to Ashlee wasn’t going away.
“Excuse me?” the guy said, looking confused and hopeful at the same time.
Beau shot the kid an irritated glance. “Sorry, dude, but she’s off-limits.”
“They always are,” he mumbled under his breath as he turned and headed back the other direction.
Keeping his eye on Ashlee’s progress, Beau tried to steady his breathing, which seemed ridiculously out of control right now for someone who was used to intense daily PT.
“Wow, what are the odds I’d run into you?” she said with a teasing smile.
“Pretty good if Addie is involved.”
Ashlee laughed and lifted a bare shoulder up in a shrug. “I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.”
“Right.” He tried really hard not to notice how good she looked in the light blue tank top, but it was impossible, especially when the color matched her eyes. “I thought you weren’t a morning person?”
“I’m usually not.” She narrowed her gaze. “But I’m mad at you.”
“You got up early and tracked me down at the gym to tell me you’re mad at me?”
“Yep.”
Even though he knew why she was mad, and that she had every right to be, he still asked her why.
“Because, you, Beau Jacobsen, are a terrible friend.”
“I know.”
“You know? You’re not gonna argue with me?”
“Do you want me to argue with you?”
“No, I’m just used to it.” She took a few steps closer. “So, since you’ve been such a terrible friend, you owe me a favor.”
“I do, huh?” He grabbed his water bottle and took a drink of water. “Okay, what’s the favor?”
“My ex-boyfriend invited me to a party tonight, and I need you to be my date.”
He stumbled and dropped his water bottle. “No.”
Bending down, she picked up the water bottle and handed it to him. “No? You won’t even think about it?”
Beau slipped the water bottle back into the holder and considered Ashlee’s request without looking at her. She looked way too good in that blue tank, and he needed to have a clear head. Was the ex-boyfriend the one who had really messed her up? If so, was she going to the party to try and win him back?
He shifted his gaze to meet hers. “Why would you want to go to a party your ex is hosting?”
“Because his fiancée asked me to come.”
“He’s engaged?”
“Yeah, it’s kind of their engagement party.” She blinked and looked away quickly. “I think going will help me get over him.”
She still needed to get over him? Beau ground his back teeth together just thinking about her reason for attending. Then it occurred to him that he might be the rebound guy.
“If you’re still that hung up on him then I suggest you don’t go.”
“I don’t want to be hung up on him anymore, which is exactly why I want to go.” She smiled and stepped closer to the treadmill. “Besides, if I bring someone as hot as you for my date, I’m sure it will make the process much easier.”
“So, you’re using me?” he said with enough sarcasm to hopefully mask his growing resentment for her ex.
“No.” She put her hands on her hips. “I thought you said we’re friends?”
“We are.” His eyes roamed over her, and he felt his mouth go dry. “And as your friend, my advice is to stay home.”
“I need to do this.” She took another step forward. “Please come with me?”
“I don’t think so.”
Reaching out, she pressed a finger on the controls to increase the speed on the treadmill. “Pretty please?”
Trying not to laugh at her tactics, he matched the pace of the machine and shook his head no.
“I’ll make you a pecan pie,” she said, increasing the speed again.
“Do you even know how to make one?” he asked as he broke into a run.
“No, but I’m willing to learn,” she said, accelerating the speed once more.
Beau cracked a smile and kept up the pace. “No thanks.”
“No thanks to the pie or going with me to the party?”
“We both know you can’t bake.”
Her finger hovered over the control panel. “So, you’ll be my date?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Sliding her finger across the panel, she pressed the incline button. “Grayson told me not to worry about bringing a date because Kenny, from accounting, will be there. I dated Kenny once… and he’ll expect me to dance with him.” She increased the incline a few more degrees and added, “Did I mention his hands like to wander?”
Beau’s heart hammered inside his chest, and it wasn’t just from the increased speed and incline. He couldn’t stand the thought of Kenny or any other guy dancing with Ashlee. But she would want to dance, and Beau wasn’t sure he could handle holding her that close and not doing something stupid like kissing her. Besides, if he were the rebound guy, then it was likely Ashlee would move on and find someone else to crush on. By then it might be too late, and his friendship with Chase would be forever ruined.
Ashlee continued to alternately maximize the incline and speed on the treadmill as Beau considered all the nuances. His feet pounded harder and harder and his breath came in fast, short spurts. Tonight might actually be a good way to discover if there could be anything more between them, especially if they went as friends, which meant there was still no reason to say anything to Chase.
“Fine. I’ll go with you.”
Her eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yes.” He decreased the speed and began lowering the incline. “But this is not a date. We’re going as friends.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” she said, giving him a two-finger salute.
He grinned and shook his head. “I’m serious.”
“And I believe you.”
As the treadmill halted, their eyes locked and there it was— that undeniable pull of attraction. “It’s still complicated, Ashlee. Your brother is my best friend.”
“Trust me, Beau, the last thing I want is to ruin your friendship with Chase.” She gave him a soft smile and shrugged. “I’ll tell him the truth… that you’re doin’ me a favor by going with me.” She held out her hand for him to shake. “So, friends? For real this time?”
“Friends,” he said as he reached out and pressed his palm against hers. “For real.” He knew he would feel something, but the electric spark that shot through him felt like he’d touched a live wire. “What time should I pick you up?” he asked, letting go of her hand. “And what’s the dress code?”
“Six. And the invitation said semi-formal, so no tuxedo.” Before Beau could think too hard about what he’d just agreed to, Ashlee stepped away from him and waved. “I’ll see you tonight, soldier, don’t be late.”
Chuckling, he watched her walk away and told himself not to freak out. It was only one date. It didn’t mean anything had to change. At least with Chase.
Beau was grateful when he got home to find the construction of the porch underway. He spent most of the afternoon in the attic, going through all of the boxes, deciding what to keep and what to give away. His grandmother had already had a yard sale on the things neither of them wanted. It was up to Beau what he wanted to do with everything she’d left behind.
Before he knew it, he was showered, shaved and dressed in a pair of dark slacks with a white button-down dress shirt. He tugged at the silver and blue tie that seemed to choke him the closer he got to the Nichols’ house.
What had Ashlee told her family? Was Addie the only one who knew his feelings had shifted from big brother to potential boyfriend?
He tugged at the tie again, tempted to ditch it altogether. A few minutes later, he pulled into the driveway. He’d done this so many times— hundreds of times. He’d even picked up Ashlee to take her somewhere when her brother wasn’t available.
But this was different. Tonight, he was here to take her on a date. His fingers curled around the steering wheel. What if Chase figured out Beau was interested in Ashlee in a non-brotherly way and he didn’t like it?
Deciding to take it moment by moment, he opened his door and made his way up the walkway and pressed the doorbell.
“Beau, come on in,” Mrs. Nichols said after opening the door.
“Thank you.” Out of habit, Beau wiped the bottom of his shoes on the doormat while Mrs. Nichols apologized to him that her husband wasn’t home.
“You are the sweetest boy for taking Ashlee tonight,” she said, giving him a motherly hug. “I told her she didn’t need to attend an engagement party for her ex-boyfriend, but she’s determined to go.” She released him and stepped back. “It makes me feel better to know you’ll be there to look out for her.”
Mrs. Nichols smiled at him affectionately. Clearly, she trusted him with her daughter— most likely as a brother figure.
“I’m happy to help.” He hesitated for a moment and then quickly added, “She’s like a little sister to me.”
A concerned look flashed in Mrs. Nichols’ eyes. She leaned forward, like she was about to whisper to him, but Chase walked in, carrying his daughter Isabelle. The little girl looked like a miniature princess, wearing a blue gown with a tiny tiara on her head.
“You are such a sucker,” Chase said, reaching out to give Beau a fist bump.
“Sucker,” Isabelle repeated as she held up a tiny fist just like her daddy.
He and Chase laughed as Beau gently tapped his knuckles against the little girl’s, but Mrs. Nichols didn’t think it was funny. “Chase Nichols, what’re you teaching my granddaughter?”
“Sorry, Mama,” Chase said, sounding anything but sorry.
“Y’all behave,” she said sternly. “I’m goin’ to get your sister, and she doesn’t need your teasing right now.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Chase and Beau said at the same time.
“So,” Chase said once his mother was out of ear-shot, “what in the world possessed you to agree to take Ash to a dinner and a dance?”
Beau thought about the tactic Ashlee had used when he’d been on the treadmill. “I was blackmailed.”
Chase snorted a laugh. “Figured. What does she have on you?”
“I’m kidding.” Beau wondered if now was a good time to test the waters. “When she told me about her ex inviting her to the party, I wanted to go with her.”
“Wow, man, you really are a good friend. Thanks for lookin’ out for her,” Chase said, shifting Isabelle to the other side. “I know she’s not a kid anymore, but I swear that girl gets into more trouble where men are concerned. I wish she would find someone like Taylin’s husband so I can stop worrying about her.”
“Yeah.” Beau swallowed. “I totally get that.”
Isabelle wiggled out of Chase’s arms. “I want Mama.”
“She’s upstairs with Grandma and Aunt Ashlee.” He set her down and aimed her in the direction of the staircase. “Hey, baby girl, hold your dress up so you don’t trip,” he said, looking ready to step in and rescue his daughter if needed.
“Oh, man,” Beau said with a laugh. “You do realize that your daughters are going to grow up and like boys, right?”
“Yes, Beau.” Chase sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, watching his little girl navigate the staircase. “I try not to think about it. It’s too depressing.”
The two men watched as Isabelle climbed the last step. Mrs. Nichols appeared at the top of the stairs and scooped up the child. “Hey there, sugar.” She turned toward the upstairs hallway and said, “Doesn’t Aunt Ashlee look beautiful?”
Beau broke out in a cold sweat when Ashlee emerged and stood poised at the top of the staircase. She wore a lacy, off-white dress that was short in the front and longer in the back. The sleeveless dress hugged every single one of her curves and had a high neckline made of sheer material. Her long, blonde hair was piled on top of her head with a few tendrils framing her face.
Chase whistled under his breath. “Dude, good luck fending off other guys,” he said, nudging Beau in the arm. “That, right there, is trouble.”
Beau couldn’t agree more as he watched Ashlee descend the staircase in a pair of high heels that made her legs look incredible. Her blue eyes met his, and she smiled, making the dimple in her cheek visible.
“Hey,” she said, scanning the length of him, “for an old guy, you look pretty good.”
“Thanks,” he said, feeling slightly irked by the comment. “I try.”
“Beau, don’t listen to a thing she says,” Mrs. Nichols said as she came down the stairs behind Ashlee. “You are not old.”
Ashlee rolled her eyes. “I’m just teasin’ him, Mama.” She shifted her gaze back to Beau. “But if I offended you, I’m sorry.” She slipped her arm through his. “I’d hate for our first date to be ruined.”
“It’s not a date,” he said quickly, more for Chase and Mrs. Nichols than for himself.
“Of course not.” Ashlee’s fingers curled around his bicep. “What I meant to say is I’d hate for our first non-date to be ruined.”
Addie trailed behind her mother-in-law, holding Isabelle’s hand. “Chase, take a picture of them before they leave on their non-date.”
“Yes, dear,” he said with a smirk. He dug his phone out of his back pocket and opened the camera app. “Smile.”
Beau wasn’t sure if he pulled off a smile or not. Having Ashlee so close to him was messing with his ability to think straight.
“Okay,” Chase said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. “I think we’ve tortured Beau long enough.”
“Oh, his torture has only just begun.” Ashlee tipped her face up to look at Beau, her lips parting in a seductive smile. “But I’m confident his training in the military will help him survive.”
“Let’s hope,” Beau murmured under his breath, pulling his gaze away from her lips.
Everyone laughed, but he was serious. Spending the evening with Ashlee in his arms wasn’t going to require special skills. The real challenge would be for him not to give in to temptation and kiss that pretty mouth of hers.
Chapter 11
Ashlee kept a grip on Beau’s arm as they made their way to his SUV. He felt stiff and uncomfortable. Perfect to tease.
“Relax, big brother. I was only kidding about torturing you.”
The muscles under her hand tightened. “Big brother? I thought we were past all that.”
“I did too, but the way you jumped all over my reference to us going on a date, I figured I was back in the sister-zone.”
She heard him exhale loudly as he paused to open the passenger door. “I’m sorry,” he said when Ashlee looked up at him. “But your mama thanked me for lookin’ out for you, and I didn’t want to freak her out if she knew…” He trailed off and adjusted his tie. “Let me get the door.”
Ashlee smiled as he reached around her and opened the door. She thought about just dropping it, since it was clear that’s what Beau wanted her to do, but he was too much fun to tease. Plus, she was still mad he hadn’t called her.
“If she knew what?” she asked as he helped her into her seat.
Beau gave her a hard stare. “Nothing.” He closed the door and rounded the front of the vehicle. His face was all hard lines as he climbed in behind the wheel. Forget Prince Charming— there was nothing hotter than a brooding military guy.
She decided to let him brood a little longer and didn’t say anything as he pulled out of her parents’ driveway.
“So, where is this party?” he aske
d a few minutes later.
“Bellington,” she said, fishing her phone from the small clutch purse. “Head that way, and I’ll plug in the address on my maps.”
“Sounds good,” he said, turning left at the stop sign.
Ashlee quickly entered the address. “We should arrive at 6:26.”
“So, that will make us early or late?”
“Fashionably late. The party started at six.”
“What does that mean anyway?” Beau asked merging onto the highway for Bellington.
“I have no idea.” She held the home button down and asked her phone for the definition and then read it out loud. “Deliberately arriving after an event has started, especially in order to prove one’s social status.”
Beau laughed. “Is that what you’re goin’ for?”
“No.” She tapped on the map icon so she could navigate. “I just didn’t want to arrive early enough that we’d have to make awkward conversation.”
“If it’s awkward then remind me why we’re goin’ to this thing?”
“Because if I don’t go, Grayson will think I’m not over him.”
“Are you over him?” Beau asked in a low voice.
“I think so,” Ashlee answered honestly. “It’s complicated, because we parted as friends.”
Beau looked at her sidelong, before returning his focus to the road. “So, you want to be more than friends with him?”
“No.” She fingered the lacey edge of her hemline. “I can’t explain it, but I need to do this.”
“Okay,” Beau said, nodding his head as he changed lanes.
He didn’t say anything else, and Ashlee watched him for a few moments, wishing she could get inside his head for a minute. She had no idea how he really felt about her. Sure, he’d taken her out of the sister-zone, but that didn’t mean he was interested in dating her. Although he’d basically hinted at that the other night when they’d talked in her backyard, he still hadn’t called her.
Blue Moon Kisses: Georgia Moon Romance Book 3 Page 10
