Page 39 of Hopeless Romantic
“See, I knew you liked me,” he said, making her smile on what had become a shitty day.
“I wouldn’t go as far as like, but you’re not pissing me off at the moment.”
He laughed. “Forward movement. Alone time. I’ll take it.”
“Don’t get used to it. Gregory’s at home because I’m on my scooter, and there aren’t enough chicken-sized sweaters in the country to protect him from the giant mud-slushie that exploded over downtown.”
“You drove on your scooter?” He shrugged out of his coat. “Here. You must be freezing.”
“It’s actually hot in here,” she lied, because she was afraid if she took his coat, her walls would no longer be strong enough to protect her from Levi’s charm.
Locking gazes with her, he coughed loudly into his hand, and it sounded a lot likebullshit.
She ignored this and took another bite. “I hope the other flavors are even better, or I’m going to have a hard time justifying not picking this one.”
“Wait until you try the lemon cake with limoncello buttercream frosting,” he said. “It’s my mom’s favorite. She had it at her wedding. So did Michelle. And Paisley asks for it every birthday and Christmas.”
“I guess I know what you’ll be having at your wedding.”
“Oh, I don’t know if I want a wedding,” he said, his admission catching her off guard. She knew whyshe’druled out marriage, but she’d always imagined Levi to be a married-with-kids-and-white-picket-fence kind of guy. “Why do you look so surprised?”
“You were the one who insisted you were good husband material.”
“I’m fantastic husband material. But I’ve already raised my kid; I’m getting ready to send her off to college. Another commitment is the last thing on my mind. What’s your excuse?”
“Besides the sexist vows and patriarchal traditions?”
“You’re trying to tell me a garter toss scared you off?”
“I’m not scared,” she said, scratching a spot on her arm. “I’m realistic.”
Marriage required unwavering trust and unconditional love. Even a mother’s love had buckled under the conditions Beckett’s world brought to the table. If she ever did find love, she’d be foolish to believe it would last forever.
“Realistic?” He laughed. “You wear a cape and talk to animals.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
He gave her an expectant look, and she blew out a breath. “What can I say? Marriage isn’t for everyone. And I’ve learned it isn’t for me.”
He leaned forward on his elbows, his expression serious. “What kind of asshole taught you that lie?”
“What makes you think it’s a lie?” she asked.
“Because I’ve watched you with Tommy, with your friends.” He shook his head. “You love to love. And your heart’s too big not to have wanted someone of your own to love at one point. I’m sorry that whoever he was took that from you.”
She drew in a deep breath. “It wasn’t one someone. But wouldn’t that simplify things.”
One someone could be a fluke. Two someones, a little spell of bad luck. But Beckett’s life had been a revolving door of someones who left at the first sign of trouble. Which made secretly wishing for someone to stick all the more ludicrous.
Around them, the rain continued to trickle down the pitched roof and against the glass panes. He tilted his head, his deep blue eyes searching hers in that assessing way that had her wondering how much he saw; how much she’d already given away.
“Was yours?” she asked after a few moments. “One someone?”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “Three someones.”
“All at once?”
