Page 9 of Love on the Run

He’d caught her. It was a cruel parallel but astark contrast from her first encounter with Dean. She had pretended to trip in front of him to get his attention, and he’d almost let her hit the ground—only catching her at the last second.

The relief in that moment when she realized Beau hadn’t let her fall on the stairs still lingered, helping her keep her chin up. Beau had saved her more than once today, but he probably wouldn’t see it that way.

Anna answered the call. “Hello.”

“Anna, are you okay? Thank goodness you answered. I’ve been looking all over for you.”

“I had to get out of there. I’m so sorry I?—”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re okay. I’ve taken care of everything here, including your mom.”

“Oh no.” Catherine would be absolutely livid.

“I’m not saying she won’t let you have it when she sees you though. She’s furious. I hope you didn’t go home.”

“No. Beau took me to his garage.”

Anna traced a finger over a line on the wooden table. She liked hanging out at the garage, but this wasn’t how she’d expected to spend her wedding day.

“Thank goodness. Okay, I’ll be there in ten minutes. Just sit tight.”

“Thanks, Liv. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out. I’ll see you in a minute.”

Anna cradled the phone in her hands, but it immediately started vibrating again. Her mother’s photo filled the screen. Catherine’s headshot from the law firm's website.

Her blonde hair that matched Anna’s hung in her usual wavy curls over her shoulders, and she wore a black suit. Her smile was friendly enough, but it wasn’t an expression she used around Anna often. Smiles were reserved for clients and influential friends.

Anna stared at the phone, but her fingers wouldn’t budge to answer it. When the vibrating ended, it started right back up again.

A sinkhole opened in her chest, and everything collapsed into it. She’d trusted Dean, but she’d done it blindly. She’d wanted love, but she’d been taught a lesson instead.

A tear tickled her cheek, and she wiped it away before standing. She couldn’t sit here any longer.

Anna inhaled a deep breath, and the smell of grease and exhaust fumes filled her nose. For some reason, the familiar scent chased away the tension she’d been holding in her shoulders.

She was still wearing Beau’s jacket. And his pants. A small chuckle crept up her throat as she looked at the ridiculous outfit. She had theskirt of her dress tucked into Beau’s sweats! The image was enough to send her into a laughing fit.

“What’s wrong?” Beau barged into the break room, stopping by her side in a second.

Anna wiped at the tears on her cheeks as she gasped for breath. “Nothing. I was just laughing at myself.” She held her arms out at her sides. “I look ridiculous!”

Beau’s gaze moved from her head to her feet and back up again. The intensity in his stare as he looked her over sent a tingling down her spine.

“You look fine. You don’t have to impress anyone here. Do you want me to call Olivia and tell her to bring you some clothes?”

Anna shook her head. She needed to forget about Beau’s stare as much as she needed to focus on their conversation. “No. I’ll figure out how to get clothes later. My mom will harass anyone who shows up there, and I’m not ready to face her yet.”

Beau shrugged one shoulder. “Suit yourself.”

Anna tugged the jacket off her shoulders. “You can have your clothes back now.”

Beau held up a hand. “Keep them on until you get something else.”

“I’m wearing a dress. I’m fully clothed.”

“You might get cold,” he said, dry and matter-of-factly.

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