“Uh-oh. Is it Dean? I can send Dawson or Gage to break some bones.”
“Liv!”
“I meant like a pinky finger or something. Maybe a nose. Whatever.”
Anna chuckled. “Dean isn’t the problem. It’s Beau.”
Olivia sucked in an uncontrolled breath. “I will slaughter him!”
“No, no, no. It’s not like that. He’s been good. Really good. Too good, if you know what I mean.”
Olivia scoffed. “No, I don’t know what you mean. Did he hit his head?”
Anna glanced at the door as she shuffled through the swimsuits she’d packed. “Not that I know of, but I guess it’s possible. Today, we took a two-hour intimate dance class, and we just got back from having dinner at The Bite.”
“Time out. Did you say intimate dance class? And are you talking about that place where you feed each other?”
“Yes, and yes!”
“He danced with you?” Olivia shouted. “Did you film this? Pics or itdidn’t happen.”
“It did happen, and we both laughed the entire time. I said I wouldn’t tell anyone, but you’re not everyone. So don’t blab. Then he fed me. Liv, tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“I—I don’t understand. So, you’re saying he’s being sweet?”
“Extremely.” Anna found the swimsuit she’d been looking for and closed her fist around it. “Liv, this has been the best trip. I’ve had so much fun, and he’s always so nice. I’m scared.”
“Well, I guess there’s a chance he’s having a psychotic break or he’s been living a lie for the last thirty-two years.”
“Yeah.” Those two options were more likely than Anna’s idea that he was starting to like her too.
“Wait, what are you saying? Do you like him? You like him!”
Oh no. Fear wrapped its claws around her throat. “I think I do. Liv, help me. It’s only been three days.”
Yep. Some things never changed. Anna’s ability to develop feelings without notice was leading her toward heartache once again.
“Hold on. Give me a minute to process. You’re catching feelings, but is he giving you any signals?”
“I’m not sure. That’s why I’m calling. I thought you might be able to tell me if I’m imagining things.”
“Okay, let me get my popcorn ready.”
“Remember when I passed out that first night?”
“Yeah. Scared the life out of me. Thanks for that.”
“He helped me get into a bath of lukewarm water and then brought me chocolate cake and sat with me until I felt better.”
“Please tell me you were clothed,” Olivia said.
“Swimsuit, of course. That would have been so awkward.”
Memories of Beau carrying her that night floated to the surface. Nothing about being pressed up against his chest had been awkward.
“I’m glad he was there. I was really worried about you.”
“I’m glad he was here too. Yesterday, he took me to a bookstore, and we bought books for each other. He got me a Christian romance set in Colorado at Christmas.”