“You okay?” Beau asked as he let go of her hand so he could place the duffel bag in the backseat.
“Yeah, I guess I’m hungry. I don’t think I’ve eaten anything else today but junk food.” Her appetite was usually just fine as long as they were together. However, doubts and fears crowded her thoughts when she was away from him and she couldn’t eat. She couldn’t sleep very well either. But she kept all of that bottled up inside, along with everything else.
He considered her for a long moment, worry lines creasing his forehead.
Talk to me, Beau. Please, talk to me. She didn’t voice the words. They would come out sounding too needy. He’d barely gotten over the whole age thing between them, and she didn’t want to remind him she was younger by acting like a love-sick teenager.
But there were so many things she wanted to ask him, like was he going to talk to Chase tonight? Did he plan on going to the family party as her date? Was he going to look into developing the property surrounding his grandmother’s house?
Beau didn’t like talking about that either. In fact, he was keeping an awful lot to himself. Last night, she’d asked him if he’d thought any more about talking to Jackson. He’d looked very uncomfortable when he’d told her he was still considering it. Then he’d changed the subject. Just like she needed to do now before she fell apart.
“Supper better be as good as you promised, or I’m making you watch another princess movie.”
“It’ll be good,” he said, opening the door for her. Although he gave her a smile, she could feel the underlying tension was still there.
He climbed in and started the car. “You okay if we stop at the market?” he asked as he pulled out of his parking spot.
“Sure.” She twisted her fingers together, wondering if they would find a store in Macon to shop at so they didn’t run into anyone they knew, or if he’d wait until they got back to Mitchel Creek. “I’ll come in with you to choose something for dessert,” she said, trying to keep her voice light and fun.
“I can just grab something while I’m in there.” He glanced over his left shoulder and then merged into traffic. “What do you want?”
Ashlee noticed he didn’t invite her to come shopping with him, which most likely meant they wouldn’t find a grocery store in Macon. But she was stuck back on the what-do-you-want part. Him. She wanted him.
She wanted to tell him she loved him. She wanted to freely be together, whether they were shopping, eating at a restaurant, or just hanging out with her family. Her foot started bouncing as she contemplated what to do next.
“Ash, you okay over there?” He cut her a quick glance. “You look like you don’t feel very good.”
Her stomach was tied in so many knots that she was starting to feel nauseous. She needed to know where he stood. This whole sneaking around thing had totally lost its appeal.
“I’d like to come inside the store with you.” She licked her lips, trying to restore moisture to her suddenly dry mouth. “I don’t want to hide our relationship anymore.”
Beau was good at schooling his emotions, but she saw the tightening of his jaw. Saw the way the muscles in his forearms flexed as his fingers curled around the steering wheel. He knew exactly what she was asking him.
Silence settled over the car, but it wasn’t quiet by any means. The tension made it feel like being in the stands at Falcon Stadium with the fans screaming wildly after the home team made a winning touchdown.
Foot still bouncing, Ashlee physically pressed her lips together so she didn’t blurt out something funny to dispel the tense mood. That’s what she usually did. It’s what everyone expected of her.
Beau slowed down as he approached a stoplight that had just turned yellow. When he brought the car to a stop, he turned to look at her. There were so many conflicting emotions in his eyes that it looked painful. Maybe he was in just as much anguish as she was, but for the opposite reason. What if this was that moment when he told her he liked her and was attracted to her, but he didn’t see their relationship going any further.
She swallowed and braced herself for the devastating news.
Chapter 26
Beau wasn’t ready to have this conversation. He wanted to have at least a few ducks in a row before he moved forward, but it wasn’t fair to Ashlee. Honestly, he should’ve done the honorable thing after their first date and talked to Chase and her parents. Keeping it a secret had been a stupid idea.
“Ash, I know what you’re asking.” Someone honked their horn, and Beau snapped his attention back to the light, which was now green. He pressed on the gas and lifted a hand at the person behind him as an apology.
“Do you?” she asked in solemn voice.
The serious tone was actually a little freaky. She was usually this positive light force that energized anyone she came in contact with. He loved that about her.
Love. His throat suddenly felt like he was wearing a collared shirt three neck sizes too small. Did he love her? Like love her love her? He sure loved being with her, and he loved touching her. He especially loved kissing her.
The powerful chemistry between them was yet another reason he’d delayed talking to her family. His feelings for Ashlee grew stronger every day. It was crazy how easy it had been to go from being her friend to being her boyfriend.
The feelings went beyond physical attraction, although that in and of itself was a force to be reckoned with. He was constantly fighting desires that were reserved for marriage. Ashlee loved him, heart and soul. She hadn’t come out and told him, but it radiated out from her like the shockwaves from a nuclear bomb. He knew that if, in a moment of weakness, he gave in to his desires, Ashlee would give herself to him. And knowing that answered his own question.
He loved her. He loved her enough to never put themselves into a situation where sex was too great of a temptation. He loved her enough that he was doing what he could do to stay in Mitchel Creek so they could continue to date. He loved her enough that he was willing to risk his friendship with Chase to be with her.
“Yeah.” He wished he could hold her hand, but there was too much traffic and he would be way too distracted. “And I do think it’s time we tell your family.” He swallowed hard. “If I can’t talk to Chase tonight, then I’ll do it first thing in the morning.”
“Really?” she said with a breathy laugh. “You really will talk to him?”
“I will.” He shrugged his shoulders up around his ears and released them. “And then we can tell everyone else at the family party, if you want to.”
“You sound stressed,” she said, a tone of regret in her voice. “I don’t want you to be stressed. Chase is going to be cool with it, I promise.”
He nearly told her that Jackson and Sydney knew and that they were cool with it, but then he’d be tempted to tell her about the real estate collaboration with Jackson and his father-in-law. Until he had more concrete news to share, he wouldn’t bring it up.
“Do you want me to text Addie to find out when Chase gets in?”
Beau flexed his fingers. “Sure.” He shook off the rising panic. He wasn’t asking for permission to marry Ashlee. He had to remember that.
While Ashlee composed her message, he took the exit for Mitchel Creek and headed for the nearest grocery store. It was one he rarely shopped at, since Nana’s house was on the other side of town.
“Okay,” she said, reading the text message from Addie. “Chase’s plane is scheduled to land in a half hour.”
Beau glanced at the digital clock on the dashboard. It was a little after five. With the arrival time and the commute from Atlanta, he had approximately two to two and half hours before Chase would be home.
Her phone pinged another incoming text. “Oh, my goodness,” she said with a small catch in her voice. “Taylin just sent me the most adorable picture. She and Luke are in Montana, and Crew is so happy to see them.”
Her phone pinged several times in a row. Beau signaled to make a left turn and pulled in behind a couple of
cars to wait his turn. “More pictures?” he asked, looking over at Ashlee as she used her finger to scroll up the screen.
“Yeah.” She sighed. “It’s just so crazy that seven months ago Taylin didn’t know Luke, and now they’re happily married and she is the mother to the cutest little boy.”
That was crazy. And a little scary. Was he ready to start a family? He turned away and focused back on the car in front of him, letting his foot off the brake to roll forward. “I’ll bet you’ll be happy to have them home again.”
“I will, but I know it won’t ever be the same. Taylin has a family to take care of. Plus, she’s applied to get into the Mercer nurse practitioner program, which I’m sure she’ll get accepted to.”
He glanced over at her, and she lifted her eyes to meet his. “My sister pretty much rocks at everything she does. I’m super proud of her, but I miss how close we used to be.”
Change in any relationship was difficult. He knew that even if Chase approved of him dating Ashlee, their relationship would change too. “I know that must be hard.”
The car in front of him turned left, and Beau followed a few seconds later. Ashlee was quietly scrolling through her pictures, and he let her have a few minutes to absorb everything. He knew she wasn’t jealous of Taylin, but it probably made her feel like she’d been left behind.
The grocery store didn’t look too busy and he found a parking space near the front of the store. It was natural to take Ashlee’s hand as they crossed the parking lot, but Beau couldn’t help wondering if they were going to run into anyone they knew. Since he’d been away so long, he wasn’t even sure if he’d recognize half the people he’d known before. At least most of his old girlfriends had moved away from Mitchel Creek.
Ashlee let go of his hand and grabbed a small shopping cart. “Meat or veggies first?”
Beau glanced toward the far right of the store where the produce section was. “Veggies.”
They walked side by side as Ashlee pushed the cart. She grabbed a package of mint Oreo’s that were on an end cap. “I think I have an idea for dessert.”
“You’re gonna have to do better than that,” Beau teased. “Technically, I did outshoot you.”
“Don’t dis my dessert before you’ve even tried it.” She nudged him in the arm. “And you may be a better shot, but you have to admit for a newbie I did awesome.”
“You did incredible.” He really had been impressed.
She smiled up at him softly, her eyes lighting up at his praise. “I had a good teacher.”
Beau’s skin warmed when he remembered how fun it had been to instruct her on the proper way to hold a gun. Ashlee rose up on her toes and kissed him on the mouth. At that moment, he could care less who saw them.
They picked out several different veggies for the shish kabobs and made their way to the meat counter to decide what cut of meat to get. While the butcher sliced the tender cut of beef Beau had picked out into chunks, Ashlee remembered she needed to get the most important ingredient for her dessert.
“I’ll meet you up front,” she said, giving him a quick peck on the lips.
“Hey,” he said, capturing her hand to prevent her from leaving. “Could you please pick up a gallon of milk for me?”
“Sure.” She held his gaze, slowly letting her hand slip from his. “Anything else?”
“No, thank you.” Their eyes held a little longer, and Beau was tempted to reel her back in to him for another kiss. He never knew grocery shopping together could be so hot.
Smiling, she turned and walked away from him. He watched her go and was embarrassed to find the butcher holding out his wrapped meat. “Sorry,” Beau said taking the package.
“Don’t be,” the guy said with a toothy grin. “I’d be distracted too if I had a young thing like her lookin’ at me that way.”
Beau felt the tips of his ears redden. The way he referred to Ashlee as young made him feel like he was twice her age. “Thanks,” Beau said, placing the meat in the basket of the cart.
He tried to not be offended. Even though Ashlee was twenty-four, her long hair and smooth skin made her appear much younger. Like not even the legal age to drink young. Feeling self-conscious, he veered off down the first aisle toward the checkout stands.
“Beau?” he heard a woman’s voice call out from behind him. He turned to see Kate Taylor walking toward him. “I thought that was you.”
“Oh hey, Kate.” So much for his plan not to run into anyone he knew. “What’re you up to?”
“Grocery shopping,” she said dryly. “How about you?”
It had been a dumb question to ask, but he was nervous. What if she’d seen him kiss Ashlee? “Yeah,” he said, holding up the package of meat. “Just picking up a few things for supper.”
“Is that all you’re picking up?” she asked with a teasing smirk.
Beau was so busted. His hands felt clammy as a fine sweat broke out on his forehead. “Um, I guess you saw me with my date?” he said, still not sure if she’d seen the kiss or not.
“Yeah.” There was a flash of hurt that crossed her features before she covered it with another smile. “I’m sorry I brought you the pie. I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, and Chase didn’t mention that you were dating his little sister when I asked him what your favorite dessert was.”
“That’s because he didn’t know.” Beau shifted on his feet. “Actually, I didn’t know it yet, either. This thing with Ashlee just kind of happened.”
He watched her carefully, waiting for the condemnation about him dating someone so much younger than they were. The hurt was there again, but he didn’t think it had anything to do with him. He didn’t know much about her history or her previous marriage and why it had ended, but divorce was never a fun thing.
“Love’s a crazy thing, isn’t it?” she said with a soft smile. “It kind of sneaks up on you when you aren’t suspecting it.”
Wasn’t that the truth? Beau still couldn’t believe he had gone and fallen in love with Chase’s little sister. He also couldn’t believe that in a matter of hours he was going to break the news to his best friend. “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy all right.”
“I hope it works out for y’all,” Kate said in a sincere voice. “Take care, Beau.”
“You too,” Beau said, watching her disappear around the bend of the next aisle. He felt bad that the one person he’d run into was Kate. He knew she liked him and had put herself out there, and seeing him with Ashlee had probably hurt. She could’ve been cruel, and, like the butcher, made an inference about him robbing the cradle or something. Instead, she’d been gracious and kind, and he truly hoped she found someone who would love and appreciate her.
He stood there for a moment longer and then headed in the opposite direction to look for Ashlee. He found her, carrying a carton of ice cream and a gallon of milk.
“Let me take those,” he said, reaching out to relieve her of the items.
“Thanks.” She glanced over her shoulder and then back at him. “I think I just saw Kate Taylor.”
“Yeah, we ran into each other, and she stopped to say hi.”
“Oh,” Ashlee said, sounding as uncertain as she looked. “I’ll bet she was happy to see you again.”
“She’s just a friend, Ashlee,” he said, putting the items into the cart. “And she knows that you and I are dating.”
“You told her about us?”
“Yes, but I’m pretty sure she suspected something was up when she saw you kiss me.”
“I’m sorry, I should’ve used more self-restraint,” Ashlee said, taking over pushing the cart. “But like mint Oreos, you’re kind of irresistible.”
Chuckling, Beau walked beside her. She was irresistible too, and he was tempted to kiss her again. But they were near the meat counter, and Beau could see the butcher was watching them with the same disbelieving smirk he’d had on before.
“Lucky son of a gun,” he heard the man mumble as they passed by him.
Beau ignored
the need to tell the guy that Ashlee wasn’t as young as she appeared. He’d already come to terms with the age difference, but he suspected there would always be a few raised eyebrows when people found out he and Ashlee were dating. He couldn’t let it bother him every time it happened. Their friendship, and now romance, was something he’d never experienced before, and he didn’t want to throw it away.
Dinner was a success, and Ashlee’s mint Oreo ice cream concoction was good. But as Beau followed behind her yellow car toward the Nichols’ house, he felt like he was going to throw up everything he’d just eaten.
Chase had texted him a half hour earlier and invited him over to play some ball. He probably should let his friend win the game.
Mr. and Mrs. Nichols weren’t home. They were delivering a car load of wedding gifts to Luke and Taylin’s in preparation for the family party. The newlyweds planned on opening the gifts they didn’t get a chance to open the night of the reception.
Chase was the one to answer the door. He stared at Beau for half a heartbeat. “Dude, I still can’t get used to you with hair.” He motioned for Beau to come inside. “I’ve been lookin’ at some video footage of our band, and it took me a second to compute the new look.”
“What are you doin’ that for?” Beau asked, following him down the hallway and into the kitchen. “I haven’t played the drums since you got married.”
“I have so much to tell you.” Chase grabbed them each a bottle of water out of the fridge before they went out back. “I’m still kind of trippin’ over everything Phillip and I talked about.”
While they messed around shooting the ball, Chase told Beau all about the country music star’s proposal. It was an unbelievable opportunity, really. Phillip wanted to start his own record label geared toward discovering new talent via the internet, and he wanted Chase to be one of the producers. There were so many artists out there with their own YouTube channel and thousands of followers who never got any further than that.
“What does Addie think?” Beau asked as he attempted to make a three-point shot. It bounced off the rim, and Chase made the rebound.
Blue Moon Kisses: Georgia Moon Romance Book 3 Page 24
