Page 90 of Beau & Autumn

“We can do that.” He tilts his head. “If you want to?”

I shrug. “I guess. We have to get it over with sooner or later. That’s why we did this, right?”

I want him to say no. I want him to tell me that I’m wrong. That we did this because both of us want it. We want so much more than inheritances, money and keeping families happy. We want it because we love each other.

“I don’t want you getting upset again.” He brushes my hair off my face and I lean into his touch. Say it. Say that you want me too. Not just ‘friends with benefits’. “I don’t like it when you're sad.”

He never answers the question.

“Mom won’t be there, so I guess it should be fine.” I try not to let the disappointment show in my voice.

“I’m sorry she said the things she did. That wasn’t right.”

I shrug as I sit on the dining chair, pulling my knee up to my chest. “She is who she is and that won’t change. It doesn’t make it right, but I think she’s always had it in her head who I should marry and what she wants for me. Hence why I moved from Memphis so I could run my own life away from it. She can disapprove from afar, but it's nowhere near as bad as in your face.” I smile without humor. “I actually forgot for a second how awful she can be without even having to try.”

“It’s probably the best thing you ever did,” he says. “You’ve shown them you’re capable of running your own life, babe. You’re a successful business owner. You have your own home. You call the shots. They should be incredibly proud of that, and until they are, you’re doing the right thing by staying away. They need to appreciate you as much as you do them, and until then they’re the ones missing out. Well, your mom is, anyway.”

I blink back tears. “You really think so?”

He smiles, walking over as he brushes a knuckle over my cheek. “I know so.”

We stare at one another. The blood pumps in my veins and all of it is for him. All of this. I don’t give a shit anymore about my videography equipment or the money. My roof or my damn car repairs. I just want Beau. It’s safe with him. It’s calm. He makes everything better.

Holy shit, we’ve gone way past complicated.

??

My brother looks more stern than usual, dressed in his Armani dark blue suit and crisp white shirt. His dark hair is slicked back off his face and he’s wearing his reading glasses. He looks up from the newspaper when we enter. I didn’t expect him to get here before us, but when I saw his sports car out front, I realized that I’ve underestimated my brother and no doubt he’ll want to have a man-to-man chat with my new husband.

When he folds the newspaper closed and removes his glasses, sliding them into his jacket pocket, he stands taller than Beau.His eyes are on him when he says, “You made it.”

“Hello, Anton,” Beau says. He immediately sticks his arm out to shake hands.

Luckily, my brother takes it, then folds me into his arms for a hug. “Sister.”

“How are you?”

His lips twitch. “Better than you. I didn’t just run off and get hitched without telling everyone.” He flicks his eyes back to Beau. “Mom’s gonna ride this one out for as long as possible.”

Beau palms the back of his head. “I’m sorry. We…”

Anton waves a hand at him. “I’m not mad with you, either of you, but you also have to look at it from Mom’s point of view. No, she should not have brought Michael up, that guy is a piece of shit. She had no right to do that. But you’re her only daughter, and I’m sure Dad would have loved to give you away.”

“We plan on having a wedding,” Beau says before I can. “A bigger one than the first time around. We’re gonna do it soon.”

I blink at his words. They sound so sincere. I smile quickly. “We…”

“Didn’t want to live in sin?” Anton scoffs. “Pull the other one. You wanted the cash, and this was the quickest way to get it. And your bestie over here came to the party. I just hope you’re not in this to get my sister's money, or I will step in, Beau. I don’t care who you are or who your family is.”

My mouth opens but no sound comes out. I feel my shoulders tense. Anton sees right through it. He’s the only one saying what the others don’t have the guts to.

“I would never take her money,” Beau answers. His spine is straight as he squares up against my brother. They’re almost the same build, only Anton’s slightly taller. This side of Beau sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve never seen him so alpha. “I would never trick her into doing anything. She’s a smart, beautiful woman who knows what she wants. We’re friends, yes, but I also love her.”

Uh, what? Beau looks down at me and I feel the tears in my eyes. Does he mean it or is this just for my brother's sake?

“I love you, too,” I whisper.

He frowns slightly, like he can’t believe it either. Holy shit. He means it. He… He loves me?

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