Page 114 of Love on the Run

Pressing her back against the door, she let the tears fall. Gasping for air, she choked on the sobs. The tears fell until her shoulders sagged with the weight of her sadness.

She didn’t want to keep her job. She wanted her parents to care about her the way she cared about them, but that prayer wasn’t meant to be answered today.

Her phone on the desk dinged, and she swiped at the tears on her face as she pushed away from the door that held her upright. A text from Beau lit up the screen.

Beau: Meet me outside.

She grabbed a tissue from the box on her desk and dried her face. Beau knew about the meeting with her parents, but it was the middle of a workday, and he should be at the garage.

Her breaths evened as she neared the lobby, and she stormed straight through the exit without saying a word to anyone.

Beau leaned against the front of his truck in the parking lot. His head lifted as she burst through the door, showing off his gentle smile.

Who cared if she was wearing heels? Anna tore across the lot toward Beau, but he met her halfway. The truth clicked into place the moment she crashed into him. She loved Beau Lawrence with all her heart.

His arm held tight around her back, and his hand cradled her head. “I’m here. It’s okay.”

The tears started anew, but her heart was at war with itself. Beau’s love healed the fresh wounds her parents had created. “I don’t know what I’msupposed to do now. I don’t know where I belong,” she said, wiping her tears on his shirt.

“You belong with me,” Beau said, deep and sure as his hold tightened around her. “And you’ve already done everything you need to do. You start working at Camille’s office in two weeks.”

He was right. She had a new job—a better job—waiting for her.

“Anna.”

She wiped at her face. She probably looked horrible with a red nose and makeup smeared around her eyes. “Yes.”

Beau brushed his hand over her wet cheek and waited patiently until she looked up at him. Instead of a look of horror, Beau’s light-brown eyes peered straight into her soul.

“I love you, Anna.”

She sucked in a quick breath. “What did you say?”

“I love you. I know it hasn’t been long, and I know you’re going through a lot right now.” He cradled her face in both of his strong hands. “I have no right to love you, but I do anyway. You’re the most amazing woman in the world. They may have hurt you today, but you will always be loved. You’re strong, funny, smart, beautiful, and the kindest?—”

“I love you too. I love you so much.”

Her arms tangled around his neck the moment their lips touched. Beau met her kiss with an intensitythat brought her back to life. His kiss was hard and forceful but slow and sure. There wasn’t an ounce of hesitation as he showed her the depth of his love.

She broke the kiss to breathe but didn’t move out of his embrace. Cradled against him, she could believe that everything would be okay.

“I don’t know what I would do without you,” she whispered.

“You could have done all of this on your own. You’re stronger than you realize.” He pulled back just enough to wipe the tears from her cheeks. “I know you’ll miss them, but you never needed them to be complete. You just needed someone to tell you that you already are.”

She sniffed and wiped her nose. “Do you mean that?”

“Of course I do. You’re a rockstar, Anna.” He jerked his chin toward the door of the building. “Do you need help moving things out?”

“Actually, you’re banned from the building.”

“Well, I think that means we should go get lunch and come back with some friends who aren’t banned.”

Anna chuckled and blinked away the last of the moisture in her eyes. “Let me get my purse.”

Beau tugged on her hand. “You don’t need it. Let’s get out of here.”

How could she refuse that offer? She let himwalk her to the passenger side of his truck and open the door for her. When she was settled inside, he leaned in to press a quick kiss to her lips.

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