Page 76 of Backed By You
I nod subtly to the newlyweds. “Marriage.”
Beau tightens his hold on my waist. Fingers flexing in thought. “After everything…it didn’t seem like it was in the cards for me.”
I peer at him. My hopeful heart in my throat when I ask, “And now?”
His gaze finds mine, deep and serious. “I think about a lot of things I didn’t before.”
My heart beats faster. We haven’t been together long—a few months—but there’s a certainty to what we’ve built. I can’t see myself with anyone else. “Like what?” I press gently.
A smile curves his lips. “Like putting an addition on your cabin or making the new one bigger. Adding a matching porch swing to the back porch so we can watch the sunset every night. Or how I wake up early just to see the sunrise reflect in your eyes when you first wake up.”
My breath catches. “Those are very specific thoughts.”
“I’m a specific kind of man.” His hand tightens on mine. “I don’t do anything these days without thinking of you, sweetheart.”
The implication hangs between us. Heartfelt and so much more. Before I can respond, the song ends, and the band announces it’s time for the cake cutting. Beau leads me off the dance floor, my hand firmly in his.
As the couples take turns feeding each other cake—with Butch predictably smearing frosting on Cassidy’s nose to the delight of the crowd—Beau’s arm slips around my waist again.
“For the record,” he murmurs against my hair, my back pressed to his front, “when I do ask you, it’ll be because I can’t go another day without knowing you’re mine completely.”
The simplewhen, notif, sends a shiver through me. I lean into him, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions. “You have me now,” I say softly, peering at him.
He hums as he tilts my chin. He kisses me sweetly. “I do.”
The evening progresses with more dancing, more champagne, more laughter. I find myself drawn into conversations with various Montgomery relatives, each with their own stories about Beau growing up. His brother, Levi, shows me photos of teenage Beau with a retainer and an unfortunate haircut, while UncleJim recounts how Beau once built an entire treehouse by himself at age twelve. “It was a simple platform,” he tells me, “but he was so damn proud of himself.” I hang on every word, every detail about Beau I can. And love each one.
The band shifts to slower, mellower songs, and the energy of the reception transforms into something more intimate. Beau and I share another dance as guests begin to leave. I yawn a few times and we decide to call it a night.
“I need to grab my purse from the table quick,” I tell him when the song ends.
“I’ll get it,” he offers. “Meet you by the entrance?”
I nod, patting my leg for Hulk to follow. The night air is cool after the warmth of the crowded reception, and I take a moment to appreciate the stars visible above the mountain peaks.
Movement near the side entrance of the main lodge catches my eye. An employee or utility entrance, I think? A woman emerges, adjusting her dress as she glances around. Even in the dim lighting, I recognize Lily, Beau’s sister. Her hair mussed, lipstick smudged at one corner.
She doesn’t notice me standing in the shadows a mere ten feet away as she quickly smooths her hair and heads back toward the reception. I fight back a rude giggle. Secret public sex at your brother’s wedding? I didn’t peg Lily for that kind of thing.
Completely unable to stop my curiosity from killing me, I remain where I am, wondering who is on the other side of that door. I don’t have to wait long. The same door opens again, and a tall figure steps out, tucking his shirt back into his pants.
I slap a hand over my mouth to contain my shock. Garrett Clark.
Holy—
He hasn’t seen me yet, his attention focused on straightening his tie and checking his reflection in a darkened window. I step deeper into the shadows, tugging Hulk back with me a step. Idon’t know why I’m hiding, though it’s probably instinct telling me I just saw something I wasn’t meant to see.
They’d been seated at different tables, showing no particular interest in each other all night. At least, none that I’d noticed. Clearly, there was more happening than wedding small talk.
Beau calls my name, approaching with my purse in hand, his face curious at finding me lurking in the darkness. “Everything okay?” he asks.
I glance to where Garrett was standing, but he’s gone. “Yeah,” I say, taking my purse. “Just…enjoying the view.”
Beau’s gaze searches mine. “Bullshit.”
I snort-laugh. “I’ll tell you later. Promise.”
He nods, accepting my answer while offering me his arm as we walk to the truck. Hulk is curled up in the backseat, exhausted from a day of being fawned over by wedding guests. The drive is peaceful, the Montana night sky stretching endlessly above us, stars brilliant and bright. I roll down my window, letting the cool mountain air wash over me.
