Body Shot (Last Shot)(95)
She choked on a laugh. “I have nothing to hide. But if they want you to marry some wealthy society woman, that’s not me.”
“I think I made it clear I don’t care what they want. I want you and that’s all that matters.”
She gave a sigh of contentment. “I never would have thought this would happen. We didn’t seem to be a very likely couple.”
“You thought I was some playboy bartender.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I am.” He grinned.
She tried and failed to stop her answering smile. “And cocky too.”
“You love that about me.”
She shook her head. “Well, you are fun-loving and spontaneous, and I’m all serious and nerdy and rigid. But we have way more in common than I ever thought. You with your causes. Me with my research.”
They both lived life with a purpose that was bigger than themselves. They’d both overcome obstacles. There would be more facing them, but he had that same feeling he had with Marco and Cade—together, they could conquer anything.
“I know more than anyone that life’s not just fun and games,” Beck said seriously. “Despite what you first thought about me.”
“I know.” Her smile gentled and her eyes warmed. “And I love that about you too. And I love how you showed me we can have fun even when we’re trying to do some good.”
“What I want the most? To make you happy.”
“Oh.” Her bottom lip quivered. “I want that too, for you. So much, Beck. I hope I can do that.”
“I know you can.” He kissed her nose. “Just be with me.”
His chest full of a complex mix of love and longing, gratitude and fear, he stroked her damp hair back from her face, admiring her glowing beauty. Goddamn, he was a lucky sonofabitch. He’d never thought he deserved something like this, but somehow he’d found it. “I’m not really sure how to do a relationship. I’ll probably fuck this up again. Just tell me, Hayden. If I close off. If I say something idiotic. Just tell me.”
Her smile made his heart clench. “Same goes,” she whispered. “Don’t let me hide from life behind my work. Make me live it.”
“I will.” He paused and smiled too. “And those who drink from the agave will live happily ever after.”
She laughed. “Right. Good to know.”
Epilogue
THREE MONTHS LATER
“I need to have a word with that man.” Hayden and Carrie strode toward Conquistadors, Hayden outpacing her friend in her haste to get to the bar.
“Calm down,” Carrie urged her. “Maybe you should stop and think about exactly how to handle this. You know what happened last time.”
Hayden paused. She eyed her friend. “Okay, yeah. Maybe you’re right.”
“I know you’re surprised by this, but remember what he said before? He was only trying to help.”
She sucked in a big breath. “Right. Right.”
“Do you think he has some other motive than trying to help?”
Hayden considered that as she let the long breath out. “No.”
“Then why are you so upset?”
She tipped her head back. “I don’t know. I just don’t like surprises. You know that.”
Carrie smiled. “Sure. I know that. I thought you were getting better about it, though.”
“I’m trying. I just don’t like him doing this without telling me.”
“What would you have said if he’d told you?”
“Um. I probably would have tried to talk him out of it.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know! It just feels…” She paused. “I don’t want him to think I’m after his money.”
“Oh, Hayden.” Carrie patted her shoulder. “I think he knows that. So here’s how this will go. You’ll go in there with an attitude of curiosity—you’ll ask questions, and not make assumptions. Okay?”
This was very good advice. Hayden knew that. She was practical and sensible. She could see the logic in that approach. “Okay.”
They entered Conquistadors. The bar was full this Friday night, and they searched out somewhere to sit. “Two stools at the bar.” Carrie pointed.
The bar was good because then Hayden could watch Beck all night. She and Carrie headed over and slid onto the stools.
Beck spotted them and his smile, as always, made her heart flutter and her belly do a little flip. She smiled back at him despite her annoyance. He approached them, looking so goddamn good in his low-slung dark jeans and black T-shirt, his hair pulled back into the usual knot. “Ladies,” he greeted them, his eyes fastened on Hayden. “Would you like to try our new special tonight?”