There’s still time.

“You know what? Grace got sick not long after. I wouldn’t have been able to give you any part of me the way you wanted.” Beau opened his mouth to speak, but Sienna continued, “Your career was taking off and I couldn’t have been by your side through any of it. But now, well, Grace’s biggest problem is what to wear to prom, which is months away, and I think now it could be different for you and me. Maybe we needed to wait for the right time.”

Beau stayed silent for a minute before he reached into the box, taking out the frame on top and unwrapping it. “Do you remember what I asked you after this game?”

“You asked me to be your girlfriend. You did have a concussion, though. So I’m not sure if you really meant it.”

The corner of Beau’s mouth tipped up. “I’m clearheaded now. Well, mostly. Whatever perfume you’re wearing is driving me crazy.”

“I’m not wearing perfume.”

Beau rolled his eyes and groaned. “Then I’m the same lovesick teenage boy in a grown man’s body.” He sat the photo back on the shelf and stood in front of Sienna, placing one hand on each side of her body as she leaned back against the bookcase. “I want to do this right this time. All of it. I’m trying.”

“Where does feeling me up in your parents’ old kitchen fall on the ‘right’ scale?”

“I didn’t say I was perfect.”

“No kidding,” Sienna mumbled.

“Let’s try again.” Beau reached out, wrapping a lock of her hair around his finger before releasing it. “Sienna Clarke, will you be my girlfriend?”

“Fine,” she offered with faux ambivalence, pressing her lips tightly together to hide the smile.

Beau’s eyes widened. “Fine? That’s all I get? I broke into the planetarium for you the other night.”

“Is it breaking and entering when they open the door and tell you to take your time? You’re hardly a convict. You’re the franchise wide receiver on the Dallas Sparks.”

Cocking an eyebrow, Beau smirked. “Call me what you want, Sienna. As long as it’s not single.”

She couldn’t keep the serious face any longer and smiled, overwhelmed with nostalgic giddiness as Beau continued to play with her hair.

“What’s the first?” she asked.

“What?”

“Your first favorite color. You said the second was my hair.” She looked at Beau with curiosity as he leaned closer, capturing her mouth in a kiss so deep that Sienna felt it in her toes.

Beau pulled back. “The color of your cheeks after I kiss you. Wait.” He paused, pressing his lips to hers again with a perfect balance of pressure and softness. “There it is. I couldn’t really see it in the dark the other night.”

Sienna swayed against the bookcase.

Beau cupped her face and whispered, “I’m not letting you be the thing I wish for ever again. Fuck wishes, Sienna.Youare the dream come true.”

chapterten

“He’s alive!”

Beau lowered the bar onto the rig and ducked behind it, trying to hide his annoyed groan. “I texted you last night.”

Chase looked around the vacant gym of Beau’s apartment building, out of place in his three-piece suit. “Yes, aboutDisney World. Again.” Chase rolled his eyes.

“Did you figure out how to close it?” Beau reached for the towel on a nearby bench, wiping sweat from the back of his head.

“Yeah, sure. Consider it closed. You know, you could hire an assistant for this stuff.”

“I could,” Beau began, “but you’ve taken enough of my money over the years. So do what you do and make some calls. Call that Golden Penny Foundation woman. Get her on board.”

“Beau, itsDisney World, not the planetarium.” Chase placed his hands on his hips. “What’s all this about?”