Page 56 of Save a Wish

Beckett caught hold of my sweater sleeve before I could step away from the island. “I told my buddies I wasn’t available.” His phone chimed several times on the island. “And that’s them, once again, not comprehending my non-availability because I never refuse an opportunity to play video games when they ask.” He held up an index finger. “Except when I have an irresistible guest in my home.” He looked at me. “So far, you are the only irresistible guest I’ve had in my home.”

His phone chimed several more times and Beckett ignored it. Instead, he turned on his stool to face me and stared at me.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Gazing dreamily at you.” He grinned. “Am I doing it right?”

I laughed. “It appears so because I’m feeling a little . . .” I searched for the right word for the warm, melted sensation happening inside my chest.

“Squishy?” Beckett asked.

“Yes, squishy.” I lowered back to my stool. “That’s it exactly.”

“I’m totally doing it right then.” He patted himself on the back in congratulations then reached down to slide my stool closer to his. He put a knee on either side of me and slid his hand up to my cheek before coming in for a slow, gentle-yet-stimulating kiss that made me forget both of my names.

A sudden pounding on the front door, however, made me jump.

“Fuck,” Beckett said. “That has to be a family member.”

“Your one weakness.” I waved a hand toward the door. “Better go see who needs you.” I patted his cheek and he turned his head to press a kiss to my palm.

Grumbling as he slid off his stool, he grabbed his phone. He tapped the screen a few times then angled the phone toward me so I could see Darius and Flora standing outside at the front door.

Beckett padded on sock-covered feet to the front door and opened it. “Do one of you need a kidney? Because that’s the only reason I’m going to let you in.”

“No kidneys needed,” Darius said.

“But we did have a meeting scheduled with you to go over the social media campaign for the All Hallow’s Eve Walk on the nature trail.” Flora wiggled the tablet she held. “You’re the one that set up the meeting.”

“Right. I did.” Beckett looked over his shoulder at the same time Darius and Flora glanced my way.

“Oh, you have company.” Darius looked at Flora. “Beckett has company.”

Flora grinned. “It appears he does. Early morning company that maybe began as late night company?” She arched an eyebrow at Beckett then waved at me. “Good morning, Sadie.”

“Good morning.” I walked over to the door and nudged Beckett aside so he wasn’t blocking the entryway. “Come in. Have your meeting.”

“Damn.” Beckett rested his head on the doorframe.

Darius and Flora hesitated, but I insisted they come in.

“If there’s a Hartley free to give me a ride home,” I said, “I actually have some things to prepare for my first appointments this week and I have jewelry orders to fill.” Jimmy’s request for a pendant for Mrs. Hartley came to mind. I wanted to get that one perfect.

“There’s always a Hartley available.” Darius pulled out his phone, tapped away for a few seconds, and it buzzed with a reply right away. “Ashley is on her way to Faraday’s Hardware for her shift today. She says she can swing by and grab you.”

“That’s perfect,” I said.

“No, it isn’t,” Beckett said, but he closed his front door and motioned for Darius and Flora to have a seat in the living room. “I wasn’t done with you yet.”

“Oh, it’s so cute to see Beckett grumpy over his girl having to leave,” Darius said.

Beckett narrowed his eyes at his brother then he refocused on me. “When can I see you again?”

The fact that he wasn’t trying to hide his eagerness to be in my company while his family members looked on as if they were audience members at a theater show touched me.

“She has to check her busy schedule of bookings,” Flora said.

“That’s true,” I said, “but Beckett here is the reason I was able to get Kalm Kingdom up and running so smoothly. I think that means there’s always room for him in my schedule.”