Page 58 of Beau & Autumn

“You’re funny when you’re nervous.”

I straighten my shoulders. “Who says I’m nervous? Are you forgetting that I’m older than you, Beau Clarence Bassett?”

He glances around, his hand on my back steering me to the counter so we can pay. “Don’t remind me.” The tone in his voice, deep and rumbly. The stir of it has my heart beating ten times faster than it was before. Did it sound like he liked that idea? God. Not only am I marrying this man as a complete lie to get my inheritance, he’s also eight years younger than me. I’m a cougar… Wait… No. Cougars are only really hot women who have younger guys, right? I don’t consider myself that. And Beau being my boy-toy just sounds cringey. What’s the new freaking word for a man who’s younger than you that’s not either of those things? Do I make up a new word? These are all things to take note of before we say ‘I do’. “You keep sayin’ my name like that, Wifey, and I’ll have to show how seriously I’m taking these wedding vows.”

There goes the thud of my heart again. Heat is creeping up my neck. “You hate being called Clarence,” I try to deflect.

Is there heat in his eyes? I can’t tell. I’m in some kind of caffeine induced Beau-husband coma and I can’t think straight. I haven’t even thought one iota about my poor car that’s probably still stranded on the side of the road.

“Not when you say it.” Good lord. The hand on my back feels so possessive, and I never knew until now how much I liked it. I’ve never had a guy do that. Michael would always want to be front and center, entering a room before me so people could greet him first. He was a big hot-shot after all. We couldn’t have anyone thinking that his girlfriend was above herself. Asshole.

“Are you dialing up the flirt right now?” My voice is breathy, I’m practically panting. “Like, have we started the plan?”

“We’ve started, Wifey. We’ve definitely started.”

Oh.

We reach the counter and Beau smiles at JJ. Dolly is still at the register chatting away to him.

“That’ll be fifteen twenty-seven.”

Beau passes him a twenty. “Thanks, JJ.” He casually slings an arm around my shoulders. Of course, Dolly’s eyes follow his movements.

“Uh, you’re welcome. Have a great day y’all!”

He turns to smile at me. “Ready, pumpkin?”

Oh, lord. Kill me now.

I smile back up at him. I hope I don’t look like a cardboard cutout of the good housewife, because I feel like I’m failing already. “I’m ready. Thank you for the coffee.” Before I can stop myself, I lean up and kiss him on the cheek. “That was so sweet of you, can’t wait to do it again.”

Beau goes rigid, his face falters for a split second before he recovers. “You’re welcome. How about Friday?”

I bat my eyelashes. “What did you have in mind?”

He turns to look at a gaping Dolly. “Keep the change, thanks, JJ.” We leave the counter as I babble about Moose’s and happy hour.

When we get outside I immediately facepalm myself with a groan. “I suck at this.”

“Nope, you’re doin’ great. Just keep up the pretense, she’s still watching.”

I dare not glance back in case I get caught. “Okay, so tonight. I can order some pizzas and we can raise any concerns we have… Why are you smirking?”

He rubs his chin. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

“I’m not flustered!”

He gives me a wink. “Not affected by me even a little bit? Wait till I really turn on the charms.”

My heart feels like a runaway freight train. Holy crap.

Play it cool, for heaven’s sake. “Maybe you’re not as charming as you think you are?” I challenge.

He slides his eyes back to the window, then to me. “We’re off the hook.”

“I’ll bet Dolly’s spreading the word as we speak.”

He laughs. “Oh well, the sooner we’re ‘dating’ the sooner we can make it official.”

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