Page 19 of Hopeless Romantic
“Out of all the baby chicks at the ranch, Katie picked you. And she’s been waiting patiently for you,” Beckett whispered, surprised at the tightness in her throat. Gregory’s time here was almost up, and Katie was going to be one lucky little girl.
It didn’t make the departure any easier or mean that Beckett wouldn’t miss him when she said her final goodbye. She missed every one of the animals she’d trained over the years. Had an equal number of little cracks in her heart to prove it.
After a long hug, she dabbed her eyes and carefully attached the red-and-white polka-dot bow tie around Gregory’s neck. She set him on the floor, and he practically preened, strutting back and forth.
“Don’t you look dapper. Katie will take one look at you and never let go.” She had to get out of the kitchen before she lost it. “Now, why don’t you show me what a good, house-trained rooster you are and wait here while I handle business in the front room.”
Cluuuck cluckcluckcluck.
Beckett walked into the family room, not surprised to find Thomas still talking.
“It was very loud,” Thomas relayed.
“I thought you were having a concert,” Annie said.
Thomas silently contemplated for a beat, then smiled. “That was a joke. Our house is too small to hold a concert, so you must have meant it as a joke.”
Annie tapped her pointer finger to her nose and winked at Thomas, who began laughing and flapping his hands. His laugh was unfiltered, unexpected, and beautifully unapologetic—just like him.
Last year, when Emmitt had his head up his own ass, a heartbroken Annie had crashed on Beckett’s couch. She was there only a week, but her warm spirit and patient nature made quite an impression on all the Hayeses—most especially Thomas, who’d formed his first crush.
What could she say? The kid had good taste. Annie was stunning, smart, funny, and had this way about her that made even the most skeptical people believe they could find love. After watching Annie and Emmitt fall deeply and madly, and seeing how happy they were, Beckett believed one hundred percent that it could happen—for other people.
“I’ve never been to a concert,” Thomas said. “I don’t think I’d like it.”
“Why go to a concert when you have a real-life musician in the house?” Annie said. “You get your own private concert every day.”
“I like video games better. On mute.” Thomas sat down on the couch, picked up the remote, and the television flashed to life. “We can play together. You on the chair.” He pointed across the room. “And me on the couch.”
“You have art class today,” Beckett said, shutting off the television. “So why don’t you take Diesel downstairs and hang out in the Batcave for a bit.”
Made from blackout curtains and extra-soundproof foam from Jeffery’s studio, the Batcave worked as a sensory deprivation room, where Thomas could decompress from the noisy world around him. Access was by invitation only, and instead of superhero gadgets, this Batcave was all about baseball.
“Can Annie come?” he asked.
“Wow. Me?” Annie asked, her surprise genuine. Invites to the Batcave were rare, and usually reserved for immediate family only. That he was extending the offer to Annie was a big step for him. “Thank you for inviting me into your cave. That means a lot.”
“You are welcome,” he said, and Beckett looked down to find her brother wearing black flip-flops—with matching athletic socks to keep his toes from freezing. She hadn’t a clue as to where he’d acquired any of these.
“Where did those shoes come from?” she asked, wondering if Jeffery had Primed in his sleep again or if Thomas had purchased them without her consent.
“They are OluKai flip-flops, not shoes. And they came from Amazon,” he explained.
“Did you order them?” she questioned, working hard to keep accusation out of her tone.
“No. But they are mine. The box said so.” He squeezed his toes, and the left sandal flipped against his heel with a snap. “I sprayed them with hair spray to create more friction and prevent blistering. They only bother my toes a little.”
“You’ll get used to them,” Annie assured. “And I’d really like to see your cave, but I only have a short time today,” Annie explained gently. “Maybe next time?”
Instead of pushing the issue and explaining all the ways they could make today work, Thomas turned to Annie and said, “Lady’s choice.” And with a wink, he headed into the basement, his hundred-dollar flip-flops clapping against the floor and down the steps.
The door clicked shut behind him, and both women burst out laughing. Amusement and something a little reckless pinched at Beckett’s ribs until her sides hurt from giddiness.
“What was that?” Annie asked.
“Don’t ask.” Because then Beckett would have to explain how many times she’d pictured Levi in those butt-hugging jeans and flip-flops. And the flutters that took flight over the mystery of the Amazon flip-flops.
“You’re blushing,” Annie pointed out.
