Page 96 of When You Wish Upon a Wideout

Sienna’s lip trembled from the chilly air, and Beau ran his hands up and down her arms. “So, what do you want?” she asked again.

Beau shifted his closed mouth from side to side. “You. You for the small parts, like waking up together. You for the big parts—like seeingyouwearmyjersey when I win the Super Bowl.” Sienna opened her mouth, but he continued. “But here’s the thing, Sienna. I want to win. I’ve beentryingto win. But you know what I’ve realized by losing all these years? The win isn’t yanking you from the stands and kissing you under confetti and a big trophy and ring. Because that’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me at this point.” He cupped her face. “The win is you and me for the lifetime, not just one part of it.”

Sienna brought her hand up, holding onto his resting on her face and Beau lifted his head to the sky, needing a reprieve from the heavy emotion between them. And that’s when he saw a perfect star.

“I wish you’re with me forallthe parts,” he said as the shooting star she didn’t see passed by. Taking a step forward, Beau closed the space between them. “I don’t know what comes after I finally walk away from football. All I know is I want you there for it. And of all the things I wish would come true in this life, the biggest one already has.”

Sienna nodded as Beau’s lips grazed her temple. “I know. And Greg would be proud of you for getting where you are today.”

Beau laughed into her hair. “No,” he admitted. “That’s not it.

“What is it then?” Sienna asked, tipping her head back to look into his eyes.

“The only wish I ever made formyselfas an adult was the chance to tell you that I’m sorry. And when Dallas offered me a spot after my accident, that’s why I took it. I figured if you were anywhere, you had to be here.” He looked around. “I didn’t have the balls before to come back to Brookwood and find you and I hate that I waited, but I still hoped one day…maybe I’d get the chance to tell you something else too.”

Sienna waited. “What?” she asked, her voice cracking, as if her heart and mind knew what to anticipate.

That I love you. And I never stopped. And I wish to God or the stars, orwhatever, that I always will,Beau wanted to profess. But somehow, standing in the alley not far from the dumpsters didn’t align with the vision of how he wanted everything to play out with Sienna. Even though they were rooted in small, sleepy Brookwood, there wasn’t enough space to show Sienna just how much Beau loved her—as high as the clouds in the sky, as deep and vast as the ocean.

“I’m taking you to LA.”

The look on her face quickly turned into frustration. “Beau, Itold—”

Beau grabbed her hand as she stepped away. “How about you and me take the trip to the ocean we always planned?”

Sienna pressed her lips in thought.

“Henry agreed to babysit,” Beau offered, hoping it might sway her decision.

“It’s not really babysitting when it’s hisniece.But it’s a lot to ask.”

“Fine, he’sGrace-sitting.” Beau shrugged. “And to be honest, it wasn’t a cheap ask. But you’re worth it.”

Sighing, Sienna motioned over Beau’s shoulder. “I havework. I can’t exactly go. I have a bartender who just had a baby, and I’m working because I can’t afford to still pay herandhire a replacement. I already have to bring someone to cover when I take Grace to the concert this weekend.” She sighed. “Maybe we can see in a few months—”

“Sienna.” Beau groaned and took both her hands in his. “If you’re going to make me work for it, fine. But don’t be stubborn enough to not take the money I’m going to offer. Or to let me buy you a new car.”

Sienna scrunched her brow. “There’s nothing wrong with my car. I’ve been procrastinating changing the oil.”

“Fine,” Beau admitted. “Then I’ll change the oil for you. And I’ll buy you a new fridge.” He paused, remembering how he had found her in the back kitchen moments before. “Were you trying to make me jealous with Dylan?”

She scoffed, yanking her hands free. “Of course not.”

“That’s a joke, you know that, right? Dylan?” Beau tried to ignore the way his throat burned when he said his name.

“No one is joking.”

“You’re right. I’m serious about all these things,” Beau said firmly. “You’ll take the money and hire someone. You’ll accept the delivery of the new fridge that will be here tomorrow. And we’re going to LA. And when you have a problem, you ask formyhelp, not Dylan’s. You’re smarter than that. He cornered you in the bathroom.”

Sienna looked down at her feet. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Oh, cool. Glad we cleared that up, then,” Beau huffed.

She cocked an eyebrow. “I never got the jealous vibe from you.”

“Me?” Beau laughed. “Jealous? Of Dylan the plumber? Get the hell out of here.”

“He’s an electrician.”

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