Page 41 of That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend

I shift my weight. Bite my lip. Beau keeps his gaze laser-focused on me. We’re both quiet for a stretch, and I’m actually holding my breath. “Please, Kasey,” he says. “Then, if you still want me to leave, I’ll go. As hard as leaving will be, I promise I will. If you ask me to.”

I exhale. Finally. “Okay.” I move to the couch and sit with Beau’s gift in my lap. For such a large package, it’s awfully light.” I tug off the raffia and peel back the paper. Inside the large cardboard box is a smaller box. Also wrapped. “Ah.” I curve my lip up on one side. “So this is how it’s gonna be?”

His mouth quirks. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

I unwrap two more boxes of decreasing size, and the smaller the boxes get, the more my heart aches. At the end of all this, I’ll still have to ask Beau to walk away. I only want what’s best for him. And I’m not best. “I might as well tell you if you’re giving me the bracelet back … I can’t take it.”

“Hmm.” Beau rubs his chin. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” I lift the lid off the next box and peer inside. The box in there is tiny. “That’s the last one,” he says.

“Beau.” My breath catches in my throat. “This can’t be a ring, right? Because … that’s just crazy.”

“When it comes to you, I’m all in for crazy.” His voice is low and deep. “But I’d never propose without speaking to your parents first. Or without beingreasonablysure what your answer would be. We’ve got a lot of conversations ahead of us between now and then.” I look into his eyes. His expression is so calm. So confident. It’s getting harder for me to keep any air in my lungs. “Go on,” he says.

So I suck in a breath and open the box. Sure enough, under a layer of tissue, is the charm bracelet. “Beau.” My heart splits down the middle, knowing what I have to do. “I—”

“Before you try giving this back to me, just look at it.” I search his face, and he smiles. “Please, Kase.”

My hands tremble as I pull out the bracelet and hold it up to the light. Since last night, he’s added five more charms to the chain. Along with the cat, there’s now a heart and a star. A feather. A little cottage. And what looks to be a camera. Before I can even ask what this means, Beau explains.

“That cat is still Sprinkles, of course. And there’s a camera for my job. And a quill for yours.”

“A quill.” My heart skips a beat. “Right. I get it.”

“The star means a couple things.” He takes the bracelet and lifts it up for me. “You’re going to be a star atThe Chronicle, Kasey. And wherever else your career takes you. I’ve never believed anything more, and I’m proud to be your first, biggest fan.” He takes a beat. “I also want to be your last fan.”

I meet his gaze, and the warmth there makes my eyes sting. “Beau.”

“We’re not done.” He shifts the bracelet so the next charm dangles between us. “The heart? Well, I picked this because I love you, Kasey Elizabeth Graham. Always have. Always will. So a heart charm is pretty obvious. Sorry I couldn’t be more symbolic.” A small laugh escapes me, and tears gather in my eyes.

“Don’t cry yet,” he says. “We’ve got one more charm to go.” I blink hard and fast, but a tear spills down my cheek. Beau catches it with his thumb, then takes my hand in his free one.

“The last charm is a house, because wherever your future is, that’s my future too.” He pauses and his Adam’s apple bobs. “Whenever we’re apart, I’ll carry you in my heart until we’re together again. Just say the word, and I will always come home to you.” He leans in close. “You’re my home, Kasey.”

My whole body floods with love for this good, kind man, and all I can manage to blurt out is, “Yes.”

Beau’s eyes go wide. “Yes?”

“Wait here.” I run up to my bedroom and race back down again. Breathless and giddy, I pop open my Sharpie and write on Beau’s hand.

Property of KEG! Do Not Touch!

Then I let out a great big Wookie growl and start laughing and crying at the same time, while Beau wraps the bracelet around my wrist. Once it’s clasped, he opens his arms and gathers me in, covering my wet face with his sweet kisses.

From behind us comes the sound of muted cheers from my entire family. They’re all gathered at the sliding door, faces pressed against the glass, applauding and jumping up and down in their Christmas pajamas.

I wave at them, then plant a kiss on Beau’s nose. “Not exactly the romance you expected, huh?”

He grins. “Are you kidding? We’re in Abieville. This is exactly the kind of romance I expect.”

“Kasey!” Big Mama pushes her way to the front of the pack and opens the slider. “Looks like you chose the right oyster!”

My dad takes her arm and helps her inside, then everyone else piles in after her. And once again our house is full of family. And so much joy. Plus all the love.

Beau leans in and whispers. “This has been the best 4thof July ever.”

“It will be.” I take his hand. “Once you kiss me under the mistletoe.”

ChapterSixteen

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