Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42379 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 141(@300wpm)
After the brief exchange, the group easily shifted, excluding Miranda from their conversation. Maisie refused to pay any more attention to that woman and focused on Beau.
“I’ve been watching the polls. It looks like you are a shoo-in for the Senate,” Colt congratulated him.
“Keep your fingers crossed for me, Colt. It’s good to see you in person rather than on TV,” Beau answered, easily shifting the conversation away from himself.
“And you two! Are you finally moving home?” Colt asked, hugging Maisie and Amber before reclaiming Harper and keeping her close.
“I just took a job at General Hospital.” Amber shared her plans to make her home in Avondale.
When everyone turned to look at Maisie, she shook her head immediately. “Not me. I’m still in the think tank in DC. And I don’t think they’re letting you out of Nashville, Colt.”
“Coming home sounds good now,” he said, looking at Harper before drawing her in for another kiss.
As soon as Maisie saw Miranda move away from the group, Amber asked, “Have I missed something?”
“Congratulate us. Harper finally agreed to be my girl,” Colt shared before Harper could talk.
“Wow! I’m so happy for you. Why didn’t you say something?” Amber asked.
“We needed this to be secret for a while. Now, we’re ready to tell the world,” Colt answered, and Harper nodded with a shy smile.
Colt jumped at the opportunity to sing on stage with Harper and the two escaped any possible follow-up questions.
“Did you know?” Maisie asked, tugging on Amber’s elbow as she scrutinized Beau’s face as well.
“I didn’t have a clue.”
“Neither did I,” Beau swore, holding up a hand.
“Let’s get out of here,” Beau suggested when Maisie’s fidgeting increased.
“I hate crowds. Think they’ll miss us?” Maisie asked with a hopeful expression.
“They will, but we’ll have more time to spend with them tomorrow and while you’re in town,” Beau assured her.
“Then, let’s go.”
Maisie took his hand and walked directly to the door, seemingly not noticing anyone who greeted her on the path. Beau smiled at everyone and promised, “We’ll talk tomorrow.”
When they finally reached the fresh air, Maisie breathed in deeply before admitting, “I hate events like this. I could have made it to other reunions, but I didn’t want to go.”
“I know. I’m glad you’re here this time. It was important to everyone, but essential for me. The car is on the way. Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Dragon Tacos is still around. Want an order of nachos?” Beau asked.
“I can’t believe that place has survived.” She paused before looking at him directly. “And you remember what I always ordered?”
“Of course. I remember everything about you. I know that what you really want is a dragon burrito with extra sour cream and hot sauce.”
“That’s what you always got. I never knew why. You couldn’t eat it all.”
“I’ll order a few of those, too.”
“Beau, you’re going to have to run twelve miles to run off those calories. You’re not seventeen anymore,” she said, laughing.
He patted his flat stomach and smiled. “You’re right. I’ll have to spend some time in the gym to make sure I can fit into any of my suits. They probably won’t let me in the Capitol with sweatpants on.”
After entering the items they’d discussed to their mobile order, Beau double-checked. “Last call before I send the order. Anything else you wish to risk indigestion for?”
“I think that’s plenty. Tell me my share,” she asked, pulling her purse around to the front.
“Little girl,” he said with a shake of his head.
“I actually have money now, Beau. I can pay my way.”
“Of course you can. You’re a brilliant scientist that everyone would like to get their hands on. However, you’re also my Little girl and I will feed you. Here’s the car.”
He helped her into the back seat before sliding in after her. Beau took her hand from its spot resting on her slim thigh and linked his fingers with hers. “Damn, I’m glad you’re here. I miss you more each time we’re separated.”
“Me, too,” she admitted quietly.
“Then we make changes.”
“What kind of changes?” she asked, studying his face.
“Can you work from home if you want to?”
“For most things. Sometimes the team and I need to be in the same room to attack a problem. Since I’m relocating from the base I’ve had at the university to live in Washington, DC instead of working one hundred percent remotely, that makes everything easier. Bonus that the new think tank contract has an immense apartment included as a perk because they want me in town.”
“Perfect. Like all politicians, I have to maintain a home in my state as well as have a place to stay in Washington, DC,” he began.
“That hasn’t changed, has it?”
“No. What’s changed is if you are now living in Washington full time, I don’t want to sneak in a few meetings with you.”
“Ahh, I wondered if you were getting heat for being seen with me when I visited the team in person,” she said, nodding as if she’d expected that to happen.