Page 44 of Beau & Autumn

He grips my chin and tilts it so I’m looking at him. “Like I said, we’re friends, and friends help each other out.”

“Yes, they pick up groceries for you or bring chicken soup when you’re sick. They don’t marry you and lie to everyone you’ve ever known!”

“Again. Details.”

I warm my hands on the mug and try to think.

He leans toward the machine, setting his mug under the spout.

“What are you doing?”

“Since you’re not making my milk or putting me to bed, I guess I’ll do it myself.” He gives me a wink. “I’m sure I’ve given you enough to think about.”

That’s putting it mildly.

I nod like a zombie, unable to form any more words.

He pours milk into the top of the machine and presses the button. “I think you should stay here tonight,” he says. “In Georgia’s spare room.”

I quirk an eyebrow. “Getting all husbandly on me already?”

He snorts. “Is that a word?”

“I think it is in Europe.”

“You’re not driving home when you’ve been drinking, unless you’d like me to drive you?”

I shake my head. “It’s late. I’ll stay here.”

He seems satisfied with that because he nods his head and I notably see his shoulders relax a little. “Well, you know where to find me when you’ve made your decision.”

“Beau… I would never do anything to ruin our friendship.”

“Neither would I.” He takes his mug and gives me a small smile. “I just want to help. So think about it.”

I nod, my mouth slightly open like a goldfish. I seriously need to go and sleep this off.

He thumbs behind him. “I better get to bed.”

“Okay. Thanks, Beau…” I want to slap myself. “For everything.”

His lips twitch. “Anytime, Autumn Leaf. Sweet dreams.”

I watch as he turns and leaves the same way he came in, the door gently clicking behind him.

Marry Beau Bassett? Has he lost his mind? Have I? Or is this really the solution to all our problems? I can’t work it out. I need to sleep then everything will feel better in the morning.

I pass by Georgia, still fast asleep as I pull out the soft blanket from the armchair and drape it over her.

I go to bed, my head swirling and my heart galloping at the very notion that I could be Beau Bassett’s wife.

??

I wake with a pain between my eyes. I’m never drinking wine again. For one it makes you dehydrated, and secondly it makes you lose your mind. One minute I’m having dinner, enjoying the company of the Bassett family and friends, the next I’m making hot chocolate in Georgia’s casita while I… Oh. My. God. Beau offered to marry me.

I squint, trying to remember if that part was just a dream. Was it? Did I just imagine this whole fantasy to make myself feel better about being thirty-three, broke and on the cusp of either making a real go of my own business, or seeing it tank before my very eyes. I rub my eyes and think back. Nope. He definitely did offer to be my husband, more than once.

He must have rocks in his head. I mean, I’m no diva or anything, but has he really thought all of this through? What does he get out of it? Just the pleasure of seeing me get what I want and keeping my family happy? Then there’s the issue that they may not approve of Beau. I mean, everyone loves Beau, but are they going to feel the same? And there’s a plus where Mom’s concerned; he’s one of the heirs to the Bassett Brothers fortune. That would go over well with my mother dearest, surely. No matter how I think about the dynamics of it all, I come up blank. We can’t do this.

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