Page 49 of Love on the Run

Beau shifted in his seat, brushing his legs against hers.

Okay, she’d made a mistake keeping the dinner from him. How could she have made him this uncomfortable?

He propped his arms on the table, then scooted them back toward him, trying and failing not to cross over to her side of the table. It was impossible. His arms were almost as wide as the surface.

Anna rested her hands on his arms. “I’m sorry. I should have told you.”

Beau stared at his arms and her hands spread over them. Was her hope of calming his unease working?

“We can leave if you want,” she quietly offered.

After a pause that felt like a lifetime, Beau lifted his chin and faced her, leaning the slightest bit closer to her. “It’s fine. Sorry Ioverreacted.”

Anna stared, unblinking. “I—I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to.”

Beau stared right back, steady and sure. “I don’t do things I don’t want to do.”

Little flutters lifted in her middle. He’d indulged her so much already, but she believed him when he said he wasn’t the type to be pressured into doing things he didn’t want to.

Anna shifted in her seat a little, marginally moving her hands over Beau’s forearms. He hadn’t made a move to brush her off, and the crushing grip around her spine eased when he let her stay.

“You must be really hungry,” Anna said, hoping to bring back the fun and bold Beau she’d danced with earlier.

Beau’s lips lifted on one side in a slow, mischievous grin. “Something like that.”

Oh, there was that rush again—the one that had consumed her during their dance lesson. It was equal parts thrilling and terrifying.

It was also completely new, and it only happened when Beau did or said sweet or selfless things.

Good grief, these were feelings. Intense romantic feelings for Beau Lawrence.

The when and how of it was still a blur, but somewhere along the way, sparks had kindled without her knowledge. She looked into his eyes ashe gazed at her, unblinking. Sure, Beau was handsome?—

Wait, handsome wasn’t the word. He was tall, dark, and handsome. Broody and mysterious. Rugged and masculine with confidence to back it up.

The waiter arrived with her water just as she was beginning to panic. Her breaths were running off in their own marathon while she was trying her best to sit still and act as if she were unaffected by the man whose arms and legs touched hers.

“Have you decided which menu you would like to experience today?” the waiter asked.

Beau nodded to her, and she sucked in a restoring breath. “I’d like the Fresh menu, please.”

“I’ll take the Holiday menu,” Beau said.

“Excellent. I will return with your first course momentarily. If you would like to wash your hands before the meal begins, the washrooms are just that way. I will bring damp cloths you may use between sets if you prefer.”

And with a bow, he was gone again.

Anna pushed her chair away from the table. “I’ll wash up.”

“Me too,” Beau said, following her to the washrooms.

Once she was alone inside the small room lined with sinks and mirrors, Anna closed her eyes andfocused on calming her breathing. She could do this. Shewantedto do this.

Oh, yeah. That was the scary part.

But this wasBeau. She’d never been afraid of him before. Now, she couldn’t look at him without feeling like she’d stuffed her stomach into a clothes dryer and turned it on.

She took another breath and shoved it out with a huff. No one would believe her, but Beau was fun, and he made her happy—truly happy.

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