Page 29 of Beau & Autumn

She laughs. “I can practically hear your brain overthinking it. Just jump him already.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh, I do, and you’re older than him. I’ve just decided I’m going to live vicariously through you from now on. You owe it to yourself. Maybe you could lay a hint or two and see how he reacts.”

“I guess.” I chew on my lip. “I mean, I wasn’t thinking of acting on it. I’m just trying to navigate these feelings.”

She scoffs. “Why wait? You want to take his hot little tooshie off the market before someone else does. I’d be navigating it sooner rather than later.”

I reach for my pink blush and swipe it over my cheeks while I contemplate this ‘navigating’ business.

Is she completely crazy? Then again, I brought it up, so clearly I’m entertaining the idea.

Then I think about the night of the auction and how many women were bidding for him. “Are you saying that because Amber Jenkins ended up snaffling the sheriff at the auction?”

She laughs. “Yes and no. I think it’s pretty cute you two had that deal at the auction, admit you secretly liked it.”

I can’t deny that, can I? “It was a bit of fun, yes.”

“And Dolly’s posse were going for the kill.”

“Oh, tell me about it. Teresa snagged Owen up at the last second. But I think Eden and Brook stole the show. How sickeningly cute are they, by the way?”

“Oh, don’t even go there. Just think, if things worked out with you and Beau, you and E could almost be related… OMG!” she wails.

I glance down at the phone as I dab on some colored lip balm. Not that I can see her. “What! Carrie? Are you okay?”

“I just had a thought.” Uh, oh. If her gasp is anything to go by, this is gonna be good. “It’s crazy and wild, but it could solve all your problems!”

“Have you just won the lottery or something? I heard the fifty million lottery jackpot never went off.”

“No, even better. You and Beau could get hitched!”

I sputter at her words and grab my cell, taking it off speaker and holding it to my ear. “What did you say?” Maybe I’m getting hard of hearing.

“Just hear me out,” she reasons.

I walk out of the bathroom into my cozy bedroom and sit on the edge of my white comforter with a soft lace trim.

“You and Beau get along famously; he’s a great friend, loyal, yadda-yadda. We now know he can fix shit and do handyman jobs. Plus, he’s hot as fuck, and smart too. Bonus; he has a great job and his parents already love you. And the cherry on top is you’d get to share his bed any time you wanted!”

“Marry Beau Bassett?” I squeak.

“Now you’re talking my language, Aut. I mean, come on, it makes sense! You get to call Beau your husband and ride that cowboy home day and night. Plus, you get your inheritance too. I’m a genius.”

I swallow hard as I take in her words.

Marry Beau Bassett so I can get my inheritance? Is she insane?

“… Surely Granny couldn’t say no to that. He’s from a good family and they have a faultless reputation. She’d get her wish of seeing you hitched, and you get the rest of your pesos, plus Beau on the side.”

I contemplate this again for a moment. For some unfathomable reason it’s taking a while for the words to sink in. “Have you gone completely crazy?”

“It’s genius when you think about it. There are more pluses than not. Think about it. Beau would marry you in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t discount the idea that Beau doesn’t have a little crush on you himself.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I saw the way he kept his eyes on you at the auction. And whenever he sees you, his face lights up.”

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