Technically she’d made the first move, but Beckett had kissed her right back, so…
“Only if you are.” The hypnotic rumble of his low voice captured her. “And to be perfectly honest…” He ran a hand overthe dark stubble covering his jaw. “I’m not so sure I’d be sorry even then.”
“Good.” She smiled at the man’s unabashed honesty. “I’m not, either.”
If she hadn’t been staring straight into his eyes, Evie would’ve missed the sliver of relief shining briefly behind his darkened gaze. But then another thought struck.
“I do have one question, though…”
“You can ask me anything you want, darlin’.”
Oh, how she loved it when he called her that.
“I just thought…just in case, I figured I should make sure that you aren’t…”Good lord, Eves. Just ask the man already.“You’re not seeing anyone at the moment…are you?”
Please say no. Please say no. For the love of all that’s holy, please say?—
“No.” Beckett put her out of her silent misery. “And just so you know, if I weren’t single…that kiss never would’ve happened.”
Meaning he wasn’t the type of guy to cheat.
Good to know.
“I didn’t think so,” she responded honestly. “I guess I just needed to hear you say it.”
Preston had cheated on her back when they’d been dating. More than once, actually. Something Evie had discovered in the last days of their so-called relationship.
In hindsight, it wasn’t the cheating that had ended things between them as much as the fact that she’d never truly loved him. If she were being totally honest with herself, she wasn’t so sure she ever really evenlikedhim.
She’d tried, of course. Because that’s what Mitchells did. They did what they were told…and what was best for the family name.
Even more importantly, she’d been raised to always think of the family—and its lucrative business—first, above all else. Including her own hopes and dreams.
My own happiness.
Since Preston’s father was one of Mitchell-Granger’s largest clients, Evie and Preston’s coupling had resulted in a multi-million-dollar deal. One her father had immediately celebrated with two hundred of their closest family and friends.
Close, my ass. The man dropped twenty grand on a party to hobnob with the wealthiest and most influential names in East Hampton.
“Hey.” Beckett lifted Evie’s chin with the softest of touches. “Where’d you go just now?”
“Nowhere.” She met his gaze once more. “I’m still right here.”
With you.
But he was already shaking his head. “Only way this works is if we’re honest with one another.” He brushed his thumb lightly across her skin.
“This?”
“Us.”
Her heart thudded hard against her ribs. “There’s an us?”
Oh, she really,reallyliked the sound of that.
“I think there could be.” Beckett dipped his head in a barely-there nod. “A minute ago, you asked if I felt the same things you’ve been feeling. Now, unless I’m way off base with all this—or you’re hiding a secret boyfriend or husband I don’t know about—I think that kiss just gave us both the answer we’ve been searching for.”
Evie was beginning to think maybehewas what she’d been missing all along.