23. Anna
Anna
B eau reached for her hand as they walked out of the restaurant. A few of the other diners who’d witnessed the proposal clapped and whistled.
Anna snuggled to Beau’s side with his fingers locked firmly between each of hers. Leaning closer, she whispered against his shoulder, “I can’t believe we did that.”
“You did that. You can’t believe you did that,” Beau corrected, but there was a hint of laughter in his voice—one she’d never heard before.
The lobby was bustling even at the late hour, and Christmas music was a low background to the festive room. Families gathered around the grouped seats, a line of customers led to Mountain Mugs Coffee counter, and groups congregated at the front desk.
It was a perfect night, and she was still riding the thrill of Beau’s fake proposal. Her heart raced like a herd of wild horses. It was all pretend, but her body hadn’t gotten the message. She still hadn’t caught her breath.
Dean had proposed at the local country club during a formal gala, and she’d been happy at the time—thrilled even—but tonight’s proposal blew that one out of the water. No, it blew Dean’s proposal out of the country.
Beau pressed the button for the elevator and tugged her arm until they were chest-to-chest. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned down to whisper, “Should I expect you pick out a house in the suburbs soon?”
Anna pressed her forehead to his chest. “Sorry.”
“No, you’re not. I have to keep my guard up whenever you’re around. You’re always getting us into trouble.”
Us. She liked the sound of that way too much.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. A man and woman who looked to be in their late forties waved as they sprinted toward the elevator. “Hold it, please!”
Beau stuck an arm out until the couple made it to the elevator.
The man let out a deep breath. “Whew. I must be out of shape if I can’t jog to catch the elevator.”
The woman turned a sweet smile on Beau and Anna. “Thanks for holding it for us. ”
“You’re welcome,” Anna said.
The man pointed to Beau and Anna. “Wait, aren’t you the two who just got engaged in the restaurant?”
Oh no. Faking it for a room full of strangers was one thing. Lying to someone’s face was another.
Anna hunched her shoulders forward. “Actually, we’re not engaged. I dropped my ring on the floor, and he just picked it up for me. Everyone thought he was proposing, so we played along.”
The woman pressed a hand to her chest and let out a riotous laugh. “That’s hilarious!”
“You two had us all fooled,” the man said.
The woman chuckled. “That was some kiss. I’m sure the real thing is in your future.”
Anna glanced up at Beau to find him staring at the floor. “We’re not together. Just friends.”
Why did it hurt to admit the truth? The lie sounded so much better.
The woman gasped. “You’re joking. You two make such a great couple. And that kiss!”
The man shook his head and made a clicking noise behind his teeth. “I’ve got one piece of advice for you. Don’t let a good one get away.”
Beau pressed his lips into a thin line, biting off something on the tip of his tongue.
The elevator dinged, and the couple stepped out. “Have a nice evening,” the woman said with a wave .
“Bye!” Anna shouted as the doors closed again. “They were nice.”
Beau crossed his arms over his chest and glared down at her with a look that was probably meant to be intimidating. “You are trouble.”
“I told the truth!” Anna argued.
“I can’t trust you as far as I can throw you.”
Anna propped her hands on her hips. “And how far is that?”
The elevator doors opened, and Beau’s lips turned up into a playful grin. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”
One second she was an independent woman standing on her own two feet. The next, she was whisked into Beau’s arms and carried out into the hallway.
“Beau!” Laughter spilled out of her as she clung to him. Nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck, the giggles died away, leaving a warmth that spread over her skin.
Lifting her head, she asked, “So, am I too heavy to throw?”
Beau huffed. “You weigh next to nothing. I could throw you ten yards.”
She laughed again and tightened her hold around his shoulders.
“But I don’t want to,” he whispered softly as he continued carrying her toward their room.
When they reached the door, he rested her feet on the floor. The excitement of dinner and the proposal had her mind zipping in a thousand different directions. Despite the late hour, she wasn’t ready to settle down.
Beau walked straight to his bag and grabbed some clothes. “If you’re all good here, I’m going to check out the gym.”
“Go right ahead. I have plenty of work to catch up on.”
He stopped just before the bathroom door. “Don’t work too hard. You’re still on vacation.”
She couldn’t resist the urge to roll her eyes. “Says the man who literally lives at work.”
Beau shrugged. “Everyone needs time off.”
He was right, but they’d both grown up hearing that hard work was the only way to keep your head above water. Beau and Olivia started farm chores when they were young, and Anna’s parents had been training her at the law firm since she was old enough to read.
Anna grabbed her laptop and settled on the bed with her back propped against the headboard. She’d respond to emails until she got tired.
A minute later, Beau stepped out of the bathroom wearing a white T-shirt and black gym shorts. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time. I’ll be busy here for the next few hours. ”
Beau stopped in his tracks. “I’m serious. Don’t overwork yourself.”
The genuine care in his voice was more than she could comprehend at the moment. Her mouth went dry, and she cleared her throat. “I won’t.”
He gave her a small nod but didn’t move to leave. “That was fun.”
So he had enjoyed their little game of pretend. “Really? What part?”
His voice was deep and sure as he leveled her with his intense gaze. “Pretending you were mine.”