Page 69 of Love on the Run

Anna threaded her fingers with his. It was difficult to focus on the conversation when Beau touched her. The anxiety that had gripped her since the phone call melted away, replaced by soaring hope. “That’s okay. I know how hard it was for him before he left.”

“Was it better for you when he was here?”

Beau released the grip on her hand, but he didn’tlet go. His fingertips slowly brushed down her palm and back up her fingers.

“Yes and no. It was clear I was second best. Drake is incredibly intelligent and so likable. Everyone loved him.”

“You’re all those things too,” Beau added quickly.

She rested her head on his shoulder. “You’re so sweet to say that.”

He reclaimed the grip on her hand again. “It’s true,” he whispered.

And that was the difference. She’d never lived up to her parents’ expectations, but Beau had made her the light of his life for a few days, and it was glorious. For the first time, she was someone’s number one.

“My parents aren’t all bad. They provided for us, and we never wanted for anything. I don’t take that lightly.”

Beau loosened his hold again, tracing lines that were as light as air over every side of her fingers. Their hands slowly danced around each other, twisting and shaping together until they moved as one.

Beau pressed his bearded cheek to her damp hair. His voice was deep and soothing as he spoke. “I don’t know them, but I don’t think they respect you, and that’s a shame because you’re amazing.”

And she was flying somewhereabove cloud nine, hanging on for dear life as her heart soared. Snuggling closer to him, she whispered, “You’re pretty amazing too, but you do an awesome job of hiding it. It’s like you don’t want anyone to know.”

He shook his head. “Nah. I just like to mind my own business.”

“How do you do it? How do you not worry about what anyone else thinks?”

“I care about what people think to an extent. I want to be trustworthy. I don’t want to treat anyone unfairly.”

“I can see that. I just don’t know how to do it the way you do.”

“You want my opinion?” he asked.

“Yeah. I do,” she whispered, hoping whatever he said didn’t cut her to the core.

“You let go of yourself to be the person they want you to be. It’s okay if they don’t see you as perfect. God made you to be yourself for His glory. You’re good at that, and that’s all that matters.”

She inhaled a deep breath as the sting of tears pricked in her nose and throat. “You’re right. I’ve lost sight of that. Do you always read the Bible in the mornings?”

“I do. It helps me start my day with a reminder not to lose my cool when I have to deal with idiots at work.”

She chuckled and twisted her fingers around his. “I think I should start my daythat way too.”

“Want to start tomorrow?” Beau asked.

“Yeah. Room service, coffee, and Jesus,” she said as her eyes drifted closed.

“Sounds good to me.”

“I’m tired,” she whispered.

Beau pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Good night. Wake me up if you need something in the night.”

He stood and rounded to her side of the bed. After helping her ease down into the sheets, she grabbed his hand before he walked away.

“Thank you for everything,” she said, grasping his hand with the force she wanted to convey.

He gave her hand a squeeze before releasing it. “Sweet dreams.”

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