Page 145 of Banter & Blushes

“No.” He shook his head, ran a hand through the rebellious mess of his hair. “But the rest of the town might.”

“This is going to end up on the card, isn’t it?” she said, her voice halfway to despair and back again. “It will say, ‘No Escape.’”

“Hey, stop it. I’m sure they’ll realize we’re missing and come find us as soon as the storm lets up.” He glanced around the bait shop. “You know how to pick a romantic backdrop for a reunion, Hollis.”

“This wasn’t planned, all right? I was just checking on the construction.”

“And it didn’t occur to you to ask yourself why this entire section of town was empty?” Caroline replied with a sniff. “You’re not crying, are you?”

“Of course not. My mascara isn’twaterproof.”

“Always deflecting, Caroline. Why don’t you say what you truly think for once?”

She placed her two bags on the ground. “Are you going to kiss me, Beck?”

“Yes, I am,” he replied. “Once you’re done worrying about what everyone else thinks.” He slipped an arm around her, drawing her close, and she melted against him with a sigh of both exasperation and contentment.

“I missed you,” she admitted, pushing his hair back from his face.

“Did you?” Beck murmured, the warmth in his voice telling her everything she needed to hear.

“Maybe,” she said, her voice both playful and vulnerable. “Okay, fine. Yes. I did.”

“Good.” He brushed his lips against her ear. “I missed you too.”

Gently cradling her chin in his hand, he pulled her closer and captured her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine, and the world around them seemed to fade away. Her breath caught in her throat, leaving her utterly breathless as their lips moved in perfect harmony.

When he finally lifted his head, he noticed her shivering. “You’re cold.”

“So are you. Must be because we are both soaking wet.”

“I’ll see if I can find something warm.” His voice tinged with concern as his stomach let out a low growl, echoing his hunger.

“Did you eat yet?”

“No. I wanted to get straight home to you.”

“I have Swedish meatballs and gravy. There’s also a piece of banana cream pie,” she added with a teasing glint in her eyes.

“You’d share your banana cream pie? That’s better than lemon bars.”

“Hey,” she laughed, playfully swatting his arm. “I wouldn’t share a slice of pie with just anyone. Only someone I love.”

Beck looked stunned as the words slipped out, hanging in the air like a tender confession. He cleared his throat and released her. “I’ll go see if there are any sweatshirts in the back.”

As she watched him walk away, Caroline closed her eyes and shook her head. She just guaranteed herself a broken heart.

CHAPTER 10

BECKETT

Beck headed toward the storage room in the dark, determined to find something to warm them up before deciding what Caroline just meant.

Love.

Her voice echoed in his head. She said it casually, maybe even involuntarily; but she said it. A flutter of hope and panic vied for his attention. She couldn’t mean it the way it sounded. It was … too soon.

Wasn’t it?

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