Page 15 of Love on the Run

Gage went on as if Beau weren’t trying to burn a hole through him with his stare. “I bet she has reservations at the best restaurants.”

“That’s your reasoning? Food?” Beau asked.

“Filet mignon,” Gage slowly enunciated.

The argument with Gage was lost. Hadley had won his heart with food.

Beau wasn’t so easily bought. “I can afford my own steak.”

Olivia clapped her hands, clasping them to her chest. “So it’s settled.”

“The only thing that’s settled is that I’m not going.”

There. Foot down.

Gage scooted to Hadley’s side and wrapped an arm around her. “Come on, man. I can handle things here. It’s just a week.”

Beau glared at his traitorous friend. “Whose side are you on?”

Gage tilted his head toward Hadley who sported a closed-lip grin.

“I don’t need a break or a vacation. I like my job. Everything is great.”

That was true enough. Life was a walk in the park. There was absolutely zero reason to shake things up, especially with his sister’s best friend..

Gage pulled Hadley tighter to his side. “But Anna does need someone to go with her. Even if you don’t need this, she does, and it wouldn’t kill you.”

Beau rubbed the back of his neck beneath the stiff collar of his shirt. “How far away is this place?”

“About an eight-hour drive,” Olivia said.

Eight hours. Eight hours stuck in a car with a woman who just found out she got cheated on minutes before her wedding.

“That sounds like an absolute nightmare.”

Olivia bent down beside him to whisper, “Beau, please do this. Anna is my best friend, and sheneeds this trip, and she needs someone with her. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“Except go,” Beau added.

Olivia’s eyes drifted closed. “Please,” she begged again.

Why was he considering this? Anna’s problems weren’t his problems, but it was hard to ignore Olivia whenever she was worried about her friend. His sister was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. She’d give everything she had to help others.

Olivia got that from their mom, but that selflessness hadn’t been passed down to him. Still, a tiny, nagging voice in the back of his mind said he should try to be more like his selfless sister.

Beau’s chin fell to his chest. Olivia wouldn’t let it go until he gave in. “Fine. I’ll go.”

Olivia and Hadley bounced up at the same time with matching whoops.

Gage walked over and slapped a hand on Beau’s back. “Thanks, man. I think this will be good for both of you.”

“Don’t talk to me. You’re cleaning toilets until further notice.”

Gage rolled his eyes. “Yes, boss.”

Olivia and Hadley darted for the door at the same time. “Start packing. We’ll be back in an hour with Anna’s bags.”

Beau shook his head as the door slammed closed behind them.

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