By the time dessert came, Evie insisted they talk more about him. Sensing she needed the focus to be off of her, Beckett gladly obliged.
Over a massive piece of shared chocolate cake, he told her a little about his parents, where he’d grown up, and even a couple short stories from his days with the Marines.
By the time the check came, he felt like he’d learned so much. And yet, at the same time, he was desperate to think of something else to discuss just so their time together wouldn’t come to an end.
“That was amazing.” Evie stepped past him as he held the door open on their way out of the restaurant. “And thanks, again. You didn’t have to pay for my meal, too.”
“You kiddin’?” Beckett followed her out onto the sidewalk. “My mom would have my hide if she heard I’d made you buy your own lunch.”
Evie looked up at him with a beautifully wide smile and said, “It sounds like your mom did an excellent job raising you.”
“Most days.” He chuckled. “I mean…nobody’s perfect, right?” Beckett sent her a quick wink and a grin.
“Well, I think you’re pretty perfect.” Evie’s cheeks reddened with an obvious flush of embarrassment. “I, uh…I only meant that you’re?—”
“It’s okay, darlin’.” Beckett winked at her again. “I know what you meant.”
The two shared a look, and if they’d been in private and not on a busy downtown street, he would’ve pulled her to him right then and there and kissed her to his heart’s content.
But theywereon a busy street, and he wasn’t about to assume she’d be receptive to that sort of behavior. So, like the good southern boy he was, he offered to walk her to her car instead.
“Where’d you park?” Beckett asked. “I’m down the way a bit, but I’m happy to walk to wherever you’re?—”
“I didn’t drive here,” she announced as she pulled her phone from a pocket he hadn’t realized her dress possessed. “I mean, I appreciate the offer, but I used one of those ride-share apps. So I can just?—”
“I’m not walking off while you get into a car with a stranger.”
When Evie’s eyes jumped back up to his, Beckett realized how overbearing his declaration must’ve sounded. Clearing his throat, he quickly backtracked and tried again.
“What I meant to say, was that I’m happy to give you a ride to Lo’s. But only if you’re comfortable with that.”
“You saved my life, Beckett. Of course, I’m comfortable with that. I just don’t want to put you out, that’s all.”
In that case…
“You’re not. I’m off today, remember?” He’d made sure to slip that little fact into the phone conversation they’d had the previous night. “So unless the team gets called in for an unexpected job, I’ve got time to give you a lift.”
Evie studied him a moment before sliding her phone back into her dress pocket. Placing her cute as fuck hat back on her head, she motioned to where he’d indicated he’d parked. And with a smile on her face, she looked up at him and said, “Okay, then. Lead the way.”
“What the fuckdo you mean you don’t have the money?”
Beads of sweat formed on his nervous brow. He’d expected the man on the other end of the burner phone to be pissed. He’d even gone over the conversation in various forms multiple times in his head before making the dreaded call.
No amount of preparation, however, could truly prepare him for the gut-twisting fear churning deep within.
“I know we agreed on this week, but?—”
“But nothing!” The powerful man’s angry voice blasted through the phone’s speakers. Several seconds passed, and when he spoke again, his tone was once again steady, to the point of nearly sounding calm. “You said this wouldn’t be a problem. That you had a fool-proof way of getting the cash.”
“And I will get you the cash. I just need a little more time.”
The silence that stretched on put him even more on edge than he already was.
“You’ve had time. In fact, if memory serves, this is the second extension I’ve already allowed.”
“Please.” He sounded as desperate as he felt. “You have to understand. Ten million is a lot of money to move undetected.”
“You said your plan would work, and quite frankly, I’ve grown tired of waiting.”