Page 96 of Blinding Lights
“Always.” His intense gaze bores into mine, and in the depth of his forest-green eyes, I see the Beckett he was telling me about. The man that goes above and beyond to protect the people he loves. And I know without a doubt that it’s not just words, and I’m going to protect him all the same.
It could have gone either way out there, but he faced his fears, for me, and I’ll never forget the enormity of that.
He blinks rapidly before shaking his head and turning to Ava. “When we get to the top, I’m going to hold your hand while you close your eyes. Okay?”
“Yes!” She nods excitedly.
“No peeking,” he jokes, his stern expression moving to me. “That goes for you too, Lily.”
“Of course.” I smile softly as a wave of butterflies passes through me, then follow Beckett and Ava up the stairs. When we reach the top, I do as asked, closing my eyes as Beckett opens the door and guides us outside, both of our hands in Ava’s.
“You can open your eyes now.” His husky voice has me looking at him instead of what he wants to show us, and the emotion in his eyes hits me in a part of my chest I’ve long kept closed.
Ava squeals, drawing my attention, and when I take in the transformation of our rooftop, I’m instantly rendered speechless.
The once fairly barren space is now decorated like a scene from a romance movie. There’s a picnic blanket set up on the floor, with scattered mismatched and multicolored cushions that sing to my artsy heart. There’s a small firepit with little stools circled around it, and logs of wood already set up with kindling. Fairy lights hang from the high roofline next door to the railing on the other side, lighting us all in a soft glow.
A large cooler sits over by the wall, next to some pretty epic camping chairs that’re lined up facing the direction of the fireworks, and there’s soft music playing.
Ava pulls her grasp from my hand and runs toward a pile of cushions, throwing herself on top of them, while I struggle to move.
“What do you think?” Beckett asks, drawing my attention. “Do you like it?” His voice wavers and I rush to reassure him, fighting the emotion that’s welling inside me.
“Beckett, it’s incredible. I have no words. Did you do all this on your own?”
“I may have had help from some of the guys at the hardware store across the street. Nice guys, big football fans.”
A giggle escapes me and I throw myself into his arms, lifting to my toes so I can wrap my hands around his neck. “Thank you. I love it. It’s the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for us.”
I lean back to stare into his eyes, hoping he sees the sincerity in mine. And when he swallows, I know I’ve succeeded.
“Thank you,” I whisper again, desperately wishing I could kiss him, holding off for now. I know Ava will be happy to have Beckett in our lives, but she doesn’t need to witness any over-the-top public displays of affection. Not yet anyway. There’s plenty of time for that.
In sync as always, Beckett squeezes my waist and smiles before his eyes lock on Ava over my head. “What should we do first, Miss Ava? Do you want to roast marshmallows on the fire or wait until after dinner?”
“Marshmallows!” She runs back to her backpack and rummages around, no doubt looking for her glow sticks, giving Beckett and me a second while she’s distracted.
I peck his lips, faster than a flash of light, and turn in his arms, leaning my head back on his shoulder. “I could get used to this. But don’t worry, I won’t.”
“You should. If I could do this for you every day, I would. You deserve to be romanced. And Ava deserves to see what romance is.” I feel his shoulders lift as I gasp, spinning around to face him.
“You remember that conversation?”
“I remember everything you’ve ever said to me. I told you, you’ve consumed my mind since we officially met.” He grimaces lightly. “You both have.” His tone is nonchalant as though he has no idea how much his words mean to me, and I fight back tears.
“Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.”
No matter what happens, I’ll never forget this moment, and from Ava’s awed expression, I doubt she will either.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
LILY
With the excitement of the night burning her energy, Ava falls asleep before the midnight fireworks, her little frame curled into Beckett’s big arms as he reclines in one of the fancy camping chairs.
There’s a content smile playing on both their lips, and my heart runs wild because of it.
Ava pretty much called the shots from the moment she stepped foot on the rooftop. We roasted marshmallows, played Disney tunes while we ate our gourmet dinners—that Beckett somehow had prepared with only a few hours to spare—then danced under the moonlight. All of us. Like one big, romance-loving family.
