Page 61 of Anteros' Return

She protested. “Not yet he isn’t.”

“That’s enough. Can you check over this sketch?”

“I cannot wait for the day when I get to say, ‘I told you so,’ and when I’m maid of honour atyourwedding.” She smirked as she came over to admire the newest sketch.

As Kayla’s words hung in the air—half a tease, half a promise—something fluttered quietly in my chest.

I could almost see it. White lights strung overhead, Beckett’s smile across the aisle, Kayla laughing beside me in a dress she’d definitely complain about but secretly love. It was foolish, maybe. Reckless, even, to let myself picture it again. But I did—for just a moment. For long enough to remember how it used to feel.

Back then, imagining forever with Beckett had been easy. Natural. Like breathing.

But now, hearing Kayla say it like it was inevitable stirred something I thought I had buried.

22

Ientered the kitchen to see my dad relaxing at the table, enjoying a cup of tea whilst listening to “My Girl” by The Temptations on the radio.

“Alright, son, I haven’t seen you smile like that since you first told me about Emily.” My dad chuckled.

“Not even when I was signed to Sevilla Sols?”

“Not even then.” He winked, pushing out of the chair. “So, c’mon, what’s got you smiling like that?”

“Em.”

“I bloody knew it.” He poured me a cup of tea from the teapot. The small gesture made me realise how much I missed him while I was away. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. Maybe if I had, then you would have known how much of a lie Mike’s words were.”

“Forget it. It’s in the past. At least for now anyway.”

“When will you confront Mike?” He asked.

“I don’t know, but it’s a day I can’t wait for.” It was true, and I knew with each day that passed, he was closer to returning home.

“He bloody deserves it, the snake,” he scoffed before sipping his tea. Within a split second, my teddy bear father was back. “Anyway, what’s the reason she’s got you smiling today?”

“She asked me to be her plus one for Kayla's wedding.”

“And judging by that smile, you said yes?”

“Nothing gets past you, does it?” I chuckled. “It’s not a date, but it’s something.”

“Beck, what means more to you?” he asked, and I knew he meant my family or football.

“Actually, Dad, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”

A few hours later, I arrived at Emily’s, cradling a new football for Liam and a bunch of sunflowers for Em.

Liam opened the door with a huge smile.

“I hear you need a goalie for the afternoon?” I asked.

“Beckett! You’re going to help me?!” He practically bounced up and down on the spot.

“I am, just take it easy on me, alright?”

“Deal!” He fist bumped the air.

“This is for you, little man.” When I handed him the football, he hugged it tight. “Where’s your mum?”

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