Page 12 of Love on the Run

Hadley grabbed Anna’s hand and bounced onher toes. “No, you’ll be happy having fun and knowing you don’t have to put up with Dean’s bad attitude and philandering anymore.”

In theory. Anna had been looking forward to the things she’d planned for them. Was she really going to miss out on all of the fun she’d been looking forward to doing?

“Would anyone want to go with me?”

Olivia groaned. “I have to work. I already offered to cover three shifts for someone else this week.”

“I can’t. I work every day next week,” Hadley said.

“Jacob has basketball tournaments,” Lyric said. “I’d love to go, but I can’t miss his games. They have a shot at the championship.”

Olivia rubbed a hand over her chin. “Bella is super pregnant. She won’t want to be away from her doctor. Who else?”

Anna had plenty of friends but not many she would just call up and ask to go on a spur-of-the-moment trip with her. “I think that’s a sign. I’m not supposed to go.”

Olivia grabbed Anna’s hand. “Wait. Don’t give up yet. I’ll be right back.”

She darted out of the room with her heels clicking on the floor and her dark hair flowing.

Anna shook her head. “It’s fine. I have a big mess to clean up here anyway.”

Hadley spotted the coffee pot and pulled a mugfrom the cabinet. “I’m serious. Everly took over. We told her what happened, and she immediately turned on her professional face.”

Lyric appraised Anna with raised eyebrows. “You look great by the way. Beau’s jacket gives that hot dress a new edge.”

Anna gripped the lapels of the jacket and pulled the two sides tighter around her. It was officially becoming a source of comfort when everything was falling apart around her.

“It’s too big.”

Lyric grinned and gave Anna a playful wink. “Sure, but it looks good on you.”

The memory of wrapping her arms around Beau as they drove away from the church sent her heart racing again. Would she have been brave enough to leave if he hadn’t been in the right place at the right time?

Hadley raised a mug of steaming coffee. “I’m going to check on Olivia. I have a feeling she needs help.”

Chapter 5

Beau

Beau stared at the laptop screen while a mechanic pointed at the high-pressure oil pump and talked through the steps to change the gaskets on a Duramax engine. It was his second time watching the video, and he’d still only caught bits and pieces.

Resting his forehead in his hands, his fingers threaded into his hair. Why did he have to get involved in Anna’s business? Why didn’t he turn around and head home when it was clear the wedding wasn’t happening?

If he’d done the smart thing and walked away, he wouldn’t have heard all about how Dean had cheated on Anna. He also wouldn’t know what it felt like to have her arms wrapped around him, she wouldn’t be wearing his clothes, and he wouldn’thave had to see so much of her in that short, white dress.

How in the world was he even thinking about her legs while an old, bearded man pointed to a greasy oil leak?

Something was wrong with him. He either needed sleep or a slap in the face. He hadn’t decided which would help the current problem.

Olivia burst into his office and closed the door behind her as if she were running for her life. The desk in front of him rattled as she slapped her hands on it.

“What are you doing? Is someone chasing you?” he asked.

His sister leveled him with a serious stare. “Beau, I’m going to ask you to do something. If you really love me, you’ll say yes.”

“Who said I loved you?” Beau returned his attention to the computer.

Caring about his sister was the single most destructive thing in his life. Sometimes he wished he cared less, then he wouldn’t get roped into doing things for her all the time.

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