Page 35 of Beau & Autumn

I see Georgia’s eyes shoot up in my periphery.

“Thanks,” I say softly.

“Let’s have a hula hoop competition!” Blake says excitedly as she runs up with the hoop over her head. “Hey, Autumn.”

“Hi, hon. Are you leading the charge?”

“Yep. But my dad is pretty good at it,” Blake says.

“Well I’m even better,” Beau says, and when I look up he gives me a wink. “What do you reckon, Autumn? Do you think you can give me a run for my money?”

I laugh and hold my wine glass to my lips, taking a sip of wine. I’m going to need it if I’m hula hooping with Beau and the kids. “I haven’t done it in years.”

“I can show you!” Trinity says, tugging my arm. “It’s really easy, see!” She hoops it a couple of times before it falls on the floor.

“You do make it look pretty easy,” I admit. Though, I’m not sure I need to see Beau gyrating his hips any time soon with all the other lustful thoughts I’ve been having about him.

Then again, it might not be a bad thing. “How about I take Uncle Brook’s place until he’s finished playing pool?”

“Yes!” Blake and Trinity call at the same time.

Eden gives me a little nudge. “Looks like you’re up.”

“Don’t you kids be out there too long, dinner is nearly ready!” Patti says as she busies herself with topping everyone up for a drink. I give Celeste a little wave who’s over talking to Callan by the table, both looking very cute and cozy.

“Yeah, yeah,” Beau says, tugging my wrist as I’m wrenched from the girls to the side patio which has a huge deck and overlooks lush green grass and a gorgeous garden. They’ve planted all different varieties of magnolia trees along the fence line, and if there’s one thing I love, it’s magnolias.

“Hey, Hart!” I say on the way past. She’s talking to Gray and Gabe, as Beau is still leading me outside with Trin and Blake running ahead of us and the doggies all following. Sunny has woken herself up from under the table and wanders out for a stroll.

“Hi, Aut. What are you?—”

Beau twirls the hula hoop on his finger. “Duty calls, Hart.”

Her eyes grow wide and she laughs. “Good luck!” she hollers.

“Thanks, I’m going to need it!” I don’t know what the hell I’ve agreed to here, but the kids sure are fun to be around and the atmosphere is really lively and welcoming.

It sorta reminds me that I need to probably check in with my folks soon. I haven’t been to Memphis for a few months and I know my mom and gran want to catch up.

Beau hands me a hula hoop when we get outside and we watch the kids for a moment as they give me a quick tutorial.

“You just have to keep your hips moving, Aunty Autumn.” Blake has always called me that even though I’m not her aunty at all.

“Is that so?” I muse, taking the hoop over my head and holding it in place. “Am I allowed to practice before the competition starts?”

“Yes!” Trinity jumps up and down giggling. “You can pwactice, Aunty Autumn.”

I laugh as she copies Blake’s name for me. “Alright girls, stand back!”

Beau’s standing back too, looking cuter than ever… And that look on his face. Oh my. He certainly has that intense eye gaze down pat, there’s mischief behind those baby blues.

“Let’s see your best, Autumn leaf.”

“No pressure or anything,” I laugh as I set the hoop free and move my hips around and around. Amazingly it twirls quite a few times before it drops to the ground.

Beau grins. “Hey, you’re not bad.”

“I haven’t done this since I was about Trinity’s age.” I giggle as I have another go.

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