Page 122 of Body Shot

“Uh-huh.” He pauses. “So how are Gina and Colin? Settled in?”

“Yes.” My aunt and uncle are all moved into Torrey Pines Lifestyle, a lovely complex with extensive grounds that Uncle Colin will be able to spend time in. Jeff and John came back a couple of times to help their parents go through their belongings, decide what to keep and what to get rid of, and help them move.

“Good. I know they’re going to be happy there.”

“I hope so.” I narrow my eyes at him. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“When a woman says that, it’s never a good thing,” Dussen puts in from the stool next to Carrie.

I roll my lips in on a smile.

“I’m afraid,” Beck agrees. “What’s up, Professor?”

“The Michael and Kathy Miles Foundation?” I arch a brow at him.

“Ah.” He nods. “A good name, don’t you think?”

“Beck.” I hold his gaze, trying for stern. But inside, I’m a mushy marshmallow. “You named a foundation after my parents?”

“Yeah.”

“And the foundation is giving Vanguard ten million dollars?”

“Yep.” He leans closer. “The foundation believes your research fits with their goals.”

“There wasn’t even a funding opportunity announcement. An application process.”

“Nope.” He smiles. “I told you I like control. My foundation. My decisions.”

“Beck.” My heart expands in my chest, so full of love and gratitude I could almost cry. “You didn’t need to do that. We got the funding from Bäcker.”

“I know I didn’t. Iwantedto. I messed it up last time, but I really do want to help you. You know . . . for the greater good.”

I close my eyes, the corners stinging with tears.

Marco approaches and slaps Beck on the back. “Are you making them drink that concoction?”

“It’s really good.” Carrie frowns at Marco.

Marco holds up his hands. “If you say so.”

Carrie turns to me. “There’s somethingIneed to talk toyouabout.”

I blink at my friend, still teary-eyed. “What’s that?”

“Well.” Carrie swirls her cocktail in the glass. “I’ve decided to go to Spain for a year.”

My head snaps back and my mouth drops open. “What?”

Carrie bites her lip. “I’ve been feeling a bit . . .” She pauses, then meets my eyes. “I’m happy for you and Beck, I really am. I’ve just felt a little bit at loose ends lately. Work is good, but you know . . .” She shrugs. “I really want totakepictures, not be in them.”

I know that. “Your photos are beautiful.”

“Thank you. I want to do more of that. So I applied for a scholarship at the Istituto Europeo di Design in Madrid.” She gives a tentative grin. “To study photography. I just found out today I got it.”

I shake my head. “Holy shit, Carrie.”

“Yeah.”

---