Page 102 of When You Wish Upon a Wideout

Holding her securely by the waist, Beau leaned back. “I thought if I told you about it, you’d say no.”

Sienna shook her head, lowering down to flat feet. “No.” She looked back at the crowd. “But do I need a permit for the strippers though?”

Beau put his hand on his hips. “They’renotstrippers. And considering the sheriff’s wife and her book club are all here, I’d say you’re good.”

Sienna laughed. “Give me that,” she tugged at the bottom of his jersey before taking her shirt off. “Quick. Before someone confusesmefor an exotic dancer.”

Beau lifted his arms, reaching back to pull his jersey off.

“This is my thank you.” Sienna smiled. “Me in your jersey again.”

Shirtless, Beau leaned against the wall, smirking. “Yeah. But you’re ditching the jeans after this.”

Sienna bent down, retrieving Beau’s hat that had fallen off and placing it back on his head. “If you’re lucky. Come on.” She took his hand, tugging him. “We’ve got money to raise. And I actuallylovethis song.”

For the next few hours, Beau and Sienna laughed and danced behind the bar to awful ’80s music, dodging sweaty, dancing players as they slid drinks across to paying customers. When the night dwindled, Sienna told Beau she was going to the bathroom, but instead, she ran to the back, where she found the Sparks’ quarterback.

“Can you play ‘Everlasting Love’ one more time?” she asked, handing him a Dole Whip, which he gratefully took. She gave him an appreciative shoulder squeeze and returned to the bar.

Beau tilted his head up to the ceiling when the song came on. “Again with this song?” he groaned before yelling out to his teammates, “Someone give Gordon a sack and get him away from the sound system!”

Sienna tugged his hand to dance. “Yes. Again,” she told him.And hopefully forever this time.

* * *

Several weeks later, Sienna was standing in the hallway, eyeing the duffle bag she had packed sitting at the front door.It’s too much, she thought about the long weekend Beau was about to take her on in California.He’s doing too much.

In addition to buying a new fridge, bringing in several thousands of dollars for Maloney’s, and making a substantial contribution to the Golden Penny Foundation, there had been countless dates, including two more after hours visits to the planetarium, a trip to the rodeo, which—much to the happiness of Sienna’s heart—included Grace.

But a long weekend—even though Sienna was craving the uninterrupted alone time with him—seemed like too much.

“Are you sure?”

“If you ask me that one more time, I’ll go with Beau, andyoucan stay here.” Grace was in the kitchen, facing away from Sienna, who nervously tapped her foot. “I can take care of Uncle Henry for three days,” she muttered sarcastically.

Sienna folded her arms across her chest. “It’s just—”

“Mom.” Grace turned. “Go.”

Peeking at the front door, Sienna gnawed on the inside of her cheek. Beau was outside, waiting in the car. Itwasonly three days, and Sienna had managed to hire a part-time bartender at Maloney’s so Frank wouldn’t be left alone. She looked back at the counter—a master list of everything regarding Grace for Henry—which Sienna realized at the moment was quite short. Shewasa teenager. Apart from making sure she took her medication and supplements and did her homework, there wasn’t much instruction left to give.

Did I buy the right orange juice?Sienna wondered, heading to the fridge. Grace only liked the kind without pulp.

Grace blocked her. “Go.”

“I’ve never been away from you for this long,” Sienna admitted. Sleepovers, now that Grace was healthy, still kept Sienna awake most of the night.

“It’s not my fault you’re a loser,” Grace reminded her with a smile. “I’m just kidding,” she sang. “Butgoalready, would you? What if you miss the flight?”

“I’ll wait until Henry is out of the shower.”

“Mom—”

Sienna held up her hands. “Alright.” She wrapped Grace up in a hug. “Be good.”Go now, she told herself, squeezing her daughter’s arm. “Henry, I’m leaving!”

“You should’ve left twenty minutes ago!” her brother shouted from down the hall.

Quickly, Sienna grabbed her duffle and purse and stepped outside, making her way to the black town car Beau was leaning against.

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