Page 107 of Love on the Run

“He’s staring at you like you’re the only woman in the world.”

Anna took a better look at the photo. He was looking at her, and his features were softer than usual. His brows weren’t pinched together. He wasn’t frowning at whatever silly joke Dawson wasprobably making. He wasn’t even listening to whatever his friend was telling him.

Liv was right. Many men had looked at Anna before, but the looks were usually followed by a cat call or a creepy wink.

As far as she knew, no one had ever looked at her the way Beau did. Sure, the photo captured a small moment in time, but was it wrong to hope Olivia was right?

Anna handed the phone back to Olivia. “Please don’t get my hopes up.”

“I’m doing no such thing. I’m telling you it’s okay to be scared, but don’t let the fear keep you from seeing the one thing you’ve always wanted.”

Anna pinched her lips between her teeth and nodded. She’d always trusted Olivia but never more than now.

Grabbing her phone back, Olivia glanced at the screen. “Let’s get these put up. I don’t want to be late for the Christmas party.”

Christmas party? Shoot. Anna had forgotten all about the casual Christmas party at Travis and Bella’s house. “Let’s just hang these up, and I’ll sort through them later. I need a shower. What am I going to wear?”

Olivia’s eyes widened as she glanced at the full closet and the piles of clothes on the bed. “You’re kidding, right? That was a joke.”

Anna squinted. “Not really. I want to wear something Beau would like.”

Olivia patted Anna on the shoulder and walked toward the door. “Wear something warm and comfortable. I heard there will be a bonfire. Whatever you decide to wear, I guarantee Beau will like it.”

It took more time than expected to get ready. She’d misplaced her favorite curling wand, and the shoes that matched her green sweater dress were nowhere to be found.

Oddly enough, getting ready at Olivia’s house wasn’t so bad. There were plenty of cabinets and drawers in the bathroom, and the shower had the perfect water pressure. She would miss the towel warmer and built-in heater at her old place, but those were luxuries she could live without.

A text from Beau came in just as Anna slipped into the passenger seat of Olivia’s car.

Beau: Are you on your way?

Anna: Leaving now.

The short text from him awakened a bubbling joy in her chest. Beau had never been much of a talker, but he didn’t skimp on the check-ins when they were apart.

Olivia let out a long, dramatic sigh. “Is that Beau? I’m not going to lie. I’m jealous.”

“Of what?” Anna asked. “Dawson is practically attached to your hip.”

“But he’s working tonight.”

“Sorry, but I’ve been the third wheel for too long. It’s my turn to get the guy.”

Olivia shoved Anna’s shoulder and squealed. “Do you hear yourself? It’s your turn! I’m so excited for you!”

Okay, so she was excited for herself too. After the roller coaster of the last two weeks, it was starting to sink in that the changes might have all been for the good. If God was working in her life, she’d trust His plan.

The moon was barely a sliver in the dark sky when they pulled into Silver Falls Ranch. Travis and Bella’s cabin was small, but they were excited to host their friends for a casual Christmas get-together.

This was Bella’s moment, not Anna’s. After all her friend had gone through since her accident and the awful run-in with her ex, they really should be throwing a huge party to celebrate.

Travis had been just what Bella needed after her accident, and Anna had been the first one to remind her friend that men like Travis were few and far between.

Anna had been struggling with her own relationship at the time, and seeing Travis’s kindness to Bella should have been Anna’s wake-up call. She and Dean had done nothing but fight for months.

Oh, but she could see it all clearly now.Beau was everything that Dean wasn’t. Beau treated her like a woman, not a toy.

“Are you sure we didn’t need to bring anything?” Anna asked.

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