Page 92 of Love on the Run

“No kissing in the room?” Anna asked.

“That’s the one. Glad we’re on the same page.”

Anna clasped her hands behind her back and grinned up at him. “Is it bad that I want to kiss you right now because that was so sweet and thoughtful of you?”

Beau plugged his ears with his fingers. “Stop. No talking about kissing.”

Anna laughed before heading to the bed and slipping beneath the covers. “I’m going to bed so I won’t bother you anymore.”

“What time do you want to head out in the morning?” Beau asked as he grabbed a T-shirt and sweats to change into.

Anna sighed. “I’m not in a rush to get back home, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“You’re not going home alone, Anna. Between me, Olivia, Lyric, Hadley, and Bella, you have an army to protect you. I dare anyone to say a cross word to you.”

“I appreciate that, but even my friends have their own problems. It’s not right for me to ask them to fight my battles too,” she whispered.

“You’re not a problem. They’re your friends, and that means they care about you.”

“I know they do. I’m sure I’m just being dramatic about going home.” Anna flipped onto her side and bundled the blankets around her shoulders. “Do you want to leave at seven?”

She’d just changed the subject, but should they really drag out a conversation made up of what-ifs?

“Seven is fine.”

“Good night, Beau. Thank you for coming on this trip with me. I’ve had the best time.”

Beau thought back over the last week. He’d belying if he claimed it was anything less than the best week of his life. They’d carved out a tiny slice of life together and found something good in the middle of a storm.

“Me too. Good night.”

He could handle Dean, but her ex wasn’t the only one Anna was afraid to face. If things between them were going to last more than a week, they’d have to face her mother.

Chapter 28

Anna

Anna was going to miss the coffee from Mountain Mugs. The cafe conveniently located in Freedom Ridge Lodge was some of the best she’d ever had. If only the line were longer, she could drag out the leaving.

They’d slept late, then taken advantage of the hot breakfast at Liberty Grille. That was another thing she wanted to take home to Blackwater—the food.

Beau joined her as she stared at the menu written on a chalkboard high on the wall. He wrapped his arm around her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “What are you getting?”

“I think I want to try the peppermint mocha. You?”

“You get three guesses, and the first twodon’t count.”

“Black coffee,” she said, rolling her eyes at the simplicity of his order. “Don’t you want to try something new?”

“No. I know I like black coffee.”

Anna leaned her head on his shoulder. “That’s one of the many things I love about you. You know what you want.”

He pressed a kiss to her hair. “I think you know what you want too. You’re just afraid to speak up and go after it.”

She angled her head toward his face. “You’re right, but there’s this great guy who is teaching me how to do that.”

Beau squeezed her tighter. “It’s all you. Reminding you that you’re awesome makes me a cheerleader, not the one who gets the credit.”

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