Page 119 of Love on the Run

“Just once?” she pleaded.

A deep hum rumbled up his chest at her sweet request. “You think I could ever say no to you?”

Anna hightailed it to the dance floor without missing a beat, dragging Beau behind her through the horde of people. When she’d settled on a spot, she turned toward him, fanning her blonde hair out around her.

Remembering the intimate dance instructor’s directions to explore his partner’s body, Beau slowly ran his hands from Anna’s waist up her back. Her warm vanilla scent had his mouth watering.

“Easy, tiger. There are small children here,” she whispered in glee.

“They have to leave at nine,” he reminded her. “They might serve food, but this is a bar.”

She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck, sending a shiver down his spine. “Do you remember the last time we danced?” she asked.

His lips brushed against the shell of her ear as he whispered, “Lucky charms.”

The laugh was expected, but the sound was more than he could handle. He finally understood what the Grinch felt when his heart grew two sizes.

He loved Anna Harris, but it was never enough. Every time he saw her—spoke to her—he fell harder. It was as if love were a free fall from an airplane, but the ground was nowhere in sight.

When her giggles faded, he whispered, “I love you.”

She leaned in closer. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

The song ended, and Lauren released the cowboy she’d been dancing with to lean close to Anna. “Hey, I forgot to ask how the house hunt is going. Find anything yet?”

“Not yet. In the chaos of changing jobs, I kind of put my search on hold. Though, I’m sure Dawson and Liv are ready to kick me to the curb.”

“Not true!” Olivia shouted from where sheremained snugly in Dawson’s arms, ready for the next dance.

“Want me to call a real estate agent and get you set up for a meeting?” Beau asked. “I have a whole lot more time than you right now.”

“Says the guy running a business,” Anna countered.

Beau pressed a kiss to her jaw. “Let me help you. Please.”

Anna hummed. “That would actually be very helpful. I love how you always look out for me.”

“Can’t think about much else,” Beau admitted.

“I have one tiny favor to ask,” she said, pinching her finger and thumb together.

“Anything,” Beau drawled. If she asked him to jump off a cliff at this point, he’d probably do it.

“Will you go with me?” she softly asked.

Beau rested his forehead against hers. With his eyes closed, he could imagine they were the only people in the world. “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Chapter 39

Anna

Anna hummed the chorus of “Amazing Grace” as she waited by the door. Well, it was Dawson and Olivia’s door, not hers. That was a line that was blurring the longer she stayed with them.

In the chaos of changing jobs, she hadn’t found the time to really focus on finding a new place to live. What kind of place did she even want? With so many uncertainties in her life, she felt a lot like a lost ball in knee-high weeds.

“Will you stop fidgeting? You’re making Betsy nervous,” Olivia crooned against the tiny dog’s cheek.

“Sorry. He said he would be here at five-thirty.” She fought the urge to check her watch for the tenth time.

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