Page 35 of Lone Star Longing
“Ready for what?”
His brows drew together. “Poppy didn't tell you? She couldn’t get the day off, and she thought maybe you and I could go together instead.”
“She thought what?” Lacey plunged her hand into her purse and grabbed her phone, glaring at it.
Sure enough, a message displayed on the screen that hadn’t been there when she left the house.
“Can’t get a sub. Sorry. Beck said he had to go to town anyway so I thought....”
Of course she thought. Of course she did.
“When did she ask you?” Lacey demanded, shoving her phone back in her purse.
He backed toward the hood of his truck, like he was guiding her around to the other side. “This morning. She said she tried to get in touch with you but you don't always have great reception, so she told me what time to meet you.”
“I don't need a babysitter. I was looking forward to a girl’s day.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that. But we’re both going the same place, why not just go together? I have to go get flooring tiles for Mom’s house, and it’s just faster to go get it than to have it shipped.”
She looked at him suspiciously. “So you’ll go take care of that while I’m at the doctor?”
“Sure. Unless you want someone there with you.”
She would have wanted Poppy there. Not Beck. “Hang on a minute.” Even though she didn't have a lot of time if she wanted to make her appointment, she dialed Poppy and turned away, wondering if she’d answer since classes had already started.
“What the hell, Poppy? Why can’t you go?”
“You didn't get my message?”
“I got your text message that said you’re sending me to my first obstetric appointment with Beck Conover?”
“Geez, Lacey, don't think of it like that.”
“Well, I mean, I thought we we were going to do a girl day. My appointment, lunch, shopping. I’m not going to look at maternity clothes with Beck Conover.”
Beck stepped into her field of vision and gave her a little wave. “You don't have to say my whole name every time. There’s not that many Becks around, to be honest.”
“Could you not?” She waved him away. “Poppy. What happened that you can't come?”
“I told you all the details in the message. I had someone covering my summer school class, but they backed out at the last minute. Look, you know you don't want to ride all that way to another town you don't know so well by yourself. Let Beck take you. Plus. I think he likes you.”
“Oh my God, Poppy.” Why was she butting into Lacey’s business when she was still with Jesse? And wouldn't Jesse be pissed if Lacey went to her first appointment with another man?
But Poppy did have a point about Lacey not wanting to go to San Angelo alone. She hated driving in the city. The distance didn't bother her, but driving with the traffic and not really knowing where she was going made her nervous. She was going to let Poppy drive and she’d be the navigator.
She didn't want to do both on her own. And if Beck was really going...she’d take him up on the offer, even if it wasn't what she had planned. Even if it meant spending a couple of hours with someone she didn't really know.
“You need to figure out some way to make this up to me,” Lacey said low into the phone.
“Tell me everything when you get back,” Poppy said quickly before Lacey disconnected.
“I guess you’re stuck with me,” Lacey said to Beck. “If you don't mind.”
“No, of course.”
“Do you...want me to drive?” She thought she should ask instead of just assume.
“No, I need my truck.” He walked around the side of the truck and opened the door. “Let Beck Conover get that for you.”
