Page 88 of When You Wish Upon a Wideout

And you know what, Andrew? You missed out on a heart of gold.

Sienna sighed. “She needs clearance for travel. Just like everyone else. Beau is going to make it as safe as possible.” She smiled kindly at him, overwhelmed by his generosity in chartering planes for families.

Beau stumbled back when Grace jumped again, wrapping her arms around his neck and kicking her legs with delight. She gasped. “I have to call her!” She sprinted out of the kitchen and down the hall to her bedroom.

“Does she always do that?” Beau asked, rubbing his head. “My ear is still ringing.”

“Only when she’s really excited.” Peeking down the hallway, Sienna made sure Grace was out of sight before walking over to him. “I’ll never be able to thank you for this,” she said quietly, kissing him. “It’s her dream come true.”

Beau gave her chin a small squeeze. “I guess some wishes are generational.”

Sienna laughed. “Maybe. But don’t tell her I’m only in it for the Dole Whip and not the fairy tale part. That’s our secret.”

Beau wrapped his arms around her waist. “You don’t believe in fairy tales?”

“Of course I do.” She leaned up to kiss him again before whispering in his ear. “Turns out my favorite one is only beginning.”

no wasted moments

Dear Mom,

The other night, I dreamed of you for the first time since you died.

Now, I didn’t see you in this dream. I didn’t hear your voice or hug you or anything. I was just waiting, sitting on the small stone wall outside of school in Nashville. It must’ve been a Monday or Wednesday—when Henry had debate or chess club. Those were the days you picked me up alone.

I knew I was dreaming because my heart was racing beyond belief, and I began to pace, walking back and forth on the empty sidewalk, my eyes scanning the street and the entrance to the school. My whole body had been expecting you, and even though I couldn’t see you or your car, I could imagine what your face would look like when you picked me up. You’d roll down the window even though my hand was already on the handle, as if you couldn’t wait another second to talk to me. “Tell me about your day,” you’d say.

Continuing to pace, I tugged anxiously on the straps of my backpack and began to count my steps. One... three. A car drove into the parking lot, but it wasn’t yours. Five…seven... another car came, but again, it wasn’t yours.

It was Beau’s truck. His window was already down, and I halted when he pulled up to the curb. “Come on,” he said and reached over with his long arm to open the door. “Let’s go.”

My eyes flew open before I got into the car in dreamland. But Beau was beside me—half on top of me with that long arm draped heavily over my stomach. His face pressed against my shoulder. I turned to look at him, steadying my breathing for a minute before I noticed all the neon stars were still lighting up the ceiling. We must’ve fallen asleep.

“Beau, wake up,” I whispered, pressing my hand to his face. The tip of my finger traced his scar.

He mumbled something, rubbing his head back and forth against the pillow before opening his eyes. He grinned sleepily, and he reached up to cup my face. “This is the best dream.”

I laughed. “It’s not a dream. And it’s one in the morning.”

“Shit,” Beau said but made no effort to move. He pressed his lips to mine, holding them there, but there was a change to their shape. He was frowning. “I need to go.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, you don’t get it. I don’t want to leave you. I have to, but I don’t want to,” he huffed. “But I’m out of time.”

What I didn’t get was the sudden change in his demeanor, in the way he held my face. It turned into a clutch, sort of a panicked hold. I shimmied, forcing him more on top of me, and kissed him. I didn’t want him to leave, and words didn’t seem to do enough, so I tried to show him with my body, but as usual, Beau stopped me.

“You’re making this hard.”

I could feel that I was. “I know,” I tried to kiss him again, but Beau lifted himself a little higher, chomping on his lip. I sighed. “Is there something wrong with me?”

Beau’s eyes widened.

“You only go so far with me. I’m starting to think I’m not your type.”

He dropped down quickly and I gasped from the surprise. “Does that feel like you’re not my type?” I turned my head, and Beau lowered, pressing his lips to my ear. “I want it to be perfect with you the first time. Exactly how you deserve.” He kissed my neck, nuzzling his nose to it when I shivered. “And after that, I’ll never say no, no matter where you ask.”

I pressed my mouth into a smile. “You’d do it anywhere with me?”

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