Page 141 of Burning Skies
The bell rings, and I jump out of my seat and pull on my coat. “See ya.”
“Wait. You’re not staying late like you usually do?”
I glance around, pausing on Adrian’s empty desk. “I think I’m going to start grading more at home.” Or from Beau’s house.
Because life is too short to stay late at work every day.
55
HONEY
I findmy handsome firefighter standing by his truck in the back lot. He gives me a huge grin when he sees me. “How was your first day back?”
He pulls me into his arms, and I smile. “Exhausting, but this way I’ll be able to finish grading all of my assignments by the end of the semester.” As we walk to my house, I lean against him. “I’m really glad you suggested driving because I might fall asleep on the way to your place.”
“When we get home, you can take a nap while I make dinner.”
I love the sound of that. When we get to my house, I head into the bedroom to grab some clothes. Beau stands in the doorway and watches me. “I think there’s something I should tell you.”
I turn around. “What?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “I kinda feel bad about this, but I’m never going to be able to buy you the kind of jewelry your father did.” When I give him a questioning look, he motions to my necklace tree.
“My dad didn’t buy those for me. My grandmother left them for me in her will.”
His head tilts. “Really? ’Cause the day he stopped me in his truck, he said he bought you all of this nice jewelry to point out how I don’t meet his expectations.”
I roll my eyes. “The more I learn about my father, the more disappointed he makes me. I swear, every single piece except two necklaces belonged to my grandmother. I got another gift from my mom and one from Aunt June.” I cross the room to hug him. “You more than meet my expectations, Beau, and I think my opinion is the only one that matters.”
The grin he gives me sets off butterflies in my stomach. “Not gonna lie, Honey. I wanna buy you nice things.”
Draping my arms over his shoulders, I lean up on my tiptoes to kiss him. “Jewelry is nice, and maybe for a big anniversary, I’d enjoy it, but you know what I really appreciate? Picnics in tall fields and barbecues in the backyard. Long Sunday drives with the wind blowing through my hair. Riding my horse across a quiet meadow. Having fun at ranch rodeos.”
He cups my face and rubs his thumb along my cheek. “Have you heard from your father?”
“I don’t expect to hear from him, and that’s okay. I’m still mad at him and probably will be for a long time.” Especially when I replay that last conversation I had with him. Did he suspect Melissa was pregnant with Trig’s kid? Because it sure seemed like he did, and yet he was trying to shame Beau about it.
“I’m sorry, baby.”
“It’s fine. My father might be an asshole, but he raised me to be resilient, so I’ll survive.” My mom has been distant since I told her about Beau, but my father spent decades brainwashing her about the Walkers, so I’m not surprised. I think she just needs time to get used to us being together. She says she’sgrateful Beau saved my life, and that’s good enough for now. Aunt June says Beau’s “fine as hell” and cackled wildly when I told her how much this pissed off my father.
Beau pulls me into a hug. “I told Cash I could stable your horse. That way you can ride whenever you want without dealing with your father. Cash is supposed to bring her over next week.”
My eyes sting. “That would be amazing. Thank you.”
“You know…” He pauses a long minute. “You could stay at my place from now on if you want. Though you might miss being a minute away from your job.”
I glance up at him as those butterflies riot. “Beau Walker, are you asking me to move in with you?”
His ears go red. “If you’d like to, but no pressure.”
“My lease lets up next summer. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my apartment, but maybe I can stay with you over the weekends. And, okay, sometimes during the week.”
He laughs. “Whatever you want, babe.”
After I get my stuff, he helps me carry everything down to his truck. As I buckle my seatbelt, I turn to him. “Paige wants to hang out tomorrow night.”
“That’s cool. I have something I need to do for Rhett then anyway.” There’s something funny about his voice, but I chalk it up to being tired.
