Page 127 of Banter & Blushes

Placing the plate down on the table, she picked up her beer and leaned back in the chair, taking a small sip. “And to think, I really wasn’t going to show up tonight.” She looked over at Beck. “I’m glad I did.”

“I’m glad too, Hollis.”

Caroline lifted her legs, placing her feet against the porch rail and wiggling her bare toes in the air. “I can see why you like being barefoot out here.”

“Shoes are overrated.”

She snorted. “I won’t get used to it.”

“Are you warning me?” he said with a grin. In the growing darkness, she noticed his eyes almost glowed. “Good to know you’re human.”

“Be careful, Beckett,” Caroline said, brushing her bangs back. “I might start enjoying myself.”

They settled back into their chairs, and Caroline felt the tension melt away. Just a little. It was all so new, not knowing exactly what to say. How to act. This man, this place, even her own actions were all so unexpected.

For now, she didn’t mind.

Caroline gave him a long, assessing look as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “So, I’m just supposed to sit here and relax?”

“Yeah, Hollis,” he said, deliberately calling her bluff. “Think you can handle that?”

“Challenge accepted,” she said, hoisting her shoulders as if to prepare for battle.

He tipped his bottle towards hers again. “Then don’t say I didn’t warn you. You might not want to leave.”

Picking up the remains of dinner, she removed a piece of chicken from the edge of a plate and handed it to Quint. “You know what I want to do?”

“Uh-oh. Do I want to know?”

“I feel like being reckless. Just a little.”

“Reckless is my specialty.” He stretched, stood, and as he offered her a hand, life felt open in a way she hadn’t imagined. “We better not feed the town crazy theories and conspiracies,” he said, helping her up. “You should get home before you turn into next week’s headline.”

“Or scandal,” she said, letting him pull her to her feet, lingering just a second longer than necessary.

“I don’t believe you’re the scandal type.”

“You’d be surprised, Beckett.”

Beck reached for her hand, his touch light and teasing. “Good to know. I’ll have to keep a closer eye on you.”

Caroline felt a flutter of something unexpected. It was warm, heady, and she almost didn’t want to leave. But she knew if she didn’t go now, she might not want to at all.

“Thanks for dinner,” she said as he picked up the plates and bottles. “And the company.”

“Anytime.” He carried everything inside and left her on the porch. Quint watched her, his eyes large and soft. She reached over and rubbed his head, letting the simple spontaneity of the evening work its magic.

After grabbing her purse and keys from inside, Beck walked her to the driveway. Caroline’s heart was unsteady, a bit like her steps as they reached The Hollis Express.

“I had a good time.”

“I figured you would,” Beck joked, but there was a warmth in his. “Gigi’s chicken bake made it all worthwhile.”

He stood there as she climbed in, her feet bare, and her heels swinging from her fingertips. For a second, she almost hoped he’d stop her, tell her to stay longer or at least make her feel like she should. She flipped the ignition switch.

Nothing.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Caroline muttered

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