Page 93 of Blinding Lights

My world stills, and for a second, everything feels as though it’s clicking into place, showing me the life I was always meant to have. The family I was always meant to have. And… Holy shit, I’m getting way ahead of myself.

Ava steps back, the movement cutting through my thoughts.

“Hello, Miss Ava.” Beckett smiles down at her, the gesture instantly reaching his eyes. “Don’t you look lovely?”

“I’m Belle,” she states proudly, giving him a spin, forcing me to bite back a laugh.

“You sure are.” Beckett glances my way again, and his smile grows while the once-dormant romantic piece of my heart lights up, revving to go. He turns back to Ava when she stops twirling. “I remember watching that movie with Henley when I was a kid.”

“You do?” Her wide eyes flash toward me, and I note the exact moment she decides Beckett’s her new favorite person.

“Can we watch it on Friday?” she asks, turning back to Beckett, her voice hopeful while my heart breaks. She’s already asking him for something he can’t give her.

“What’s Friday?” His questioning gaze darts to mine, the whites in his eyes displaying his concern.

“We have movie nights on Fridays with your sister.” I answer him before turning to Ava. “Maybe Beckett could come when the season’s over?” I walk forward, squatting down and wrapping an arm around Ava’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “What do you think?”

Beckett stiffens, but I know he has nothing to worry about the second Ava’s lips widen in a grin. “Yes! After you win the big bowl.”

“I’d love to.” He chuckles softly, the relief obvious in his expression. “After I win the big bowl. For now, I have a surprise for you both. Are you ready?”

“We are. Ava, do you want to grab your backpack?”

“Yes. I’ve got glow sticks for midnight.” She runs off without waiting for a response, and Beckett grins my way.

“Glow sticks sound fun.”

“You won’t be saying that when one accidentally breaks and you’re cleaning fluorescent poison off your clothes, the floor, out of your hair...”

“It sounds like you’re speaking from experience.” He bites his lip, trying to stifle a ridiculously gorgeous smirk, but it shines through.

“I am. And now I’m worried because you dressed up for the occasion.” He’s wearing a crisp pale-blue shirt with black pants and dress shoes, holding a jacket over his arm. On the contrary, I’m wearing a wool off-the-shoulder sweater and jeans, paired with scuffed ankle boots.

I drop my chin and Beckett steps forward, lifting my face and tucking a rogue hair behind my ear, his scolding gaze arresting mine. “You could be wearing a paper bag and you’d still be the most beautiful woman I know.” His gaze stays fixed on mine until I nod, swallowing a lump in my throat. “That aside, you look absolutely breathtaking right now, and you’re not playing fair.”

“What?” I rush my response, the word coming out a little breathlessly as my brain momentarily malfunctions.

“How am I going to get through tonight without kissing your shoulder?” He runs his finger along my neck and across the bare skin exposed on my shoulder, dipping under my top as he follows the curve of my collarbone. His hand abruptly disappears, but his touch lingers, and I’m slow to turn around when I hear Ava behind me.

“Reeaady!” she singsongs.

“Great.” Beckett recovers quickly, responding on my behalf. “Let’s get moving. Which side of the car do you sit on?”

Beckett and Ava walk toward my old Toyota Corolla, and I flinch at the physical reminder of our different worlds. It’s possible that Beckett’s rental costs more per day than my monthly repayments. Yet he’s here. With me. Showering my daughter in love.

After Ava and I are settled in the car, Beckett excuses himself to grab something from his trunk, and when he returns, he’s changed into an olive-green shirt jacket with the buttons open to reveal a white tee underneath. My eyes drop to his feet as he slides into the passenger seat to find he also replaced his dress shoes with the boots he had on earlier today. He’s just as handsome as he was all dressed up, only now he’s a little more casual. For me.

A warmth creeps up my cheeks.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I whisper while Ava plays with one of the dolls she keeps in the car. “I didn’t mean⁠—”

“I dressed up for you. Not me. I much prefer this outfit.” He directs his eyes forward, leaving no room for argument, and I bite back a smile as I start the car, the warmth from my cheeks spreading throughout my entire body.

I’m lost in my head as we drive, and it’s not until Beckett directs me to pull into a vacant parking space that I realize where we are. Across the road from The Bookish Aroma.

My brows crease in confusion, but I school my features as Beckett announces, “We’re here.”

“Here?”