“You can trade it in and we’ll pick out something new that’s meant for Lucy. No offense, Beck, but sometimes you still act like the dumbest ass in captivity.”
“None taken,” Beck said with a chuckle. “You know I’m not good with all that suave and debonair shit.”
“Lucy thinks you are, so you better start paying attention to my smooth moves.”
Having heard the last exchange while drawing a customer a beer from the tap, Ethan laughed and said, “Shit’s getting deep in here. Good thing I’m wearing my boots.”
Ethan laughed even harder when Beck asked him for his opinion about giving Lucy the diamond ring he had that was already bought and paid for.
Patrick thought about his family on the way home and knew he needed to make one stop before he picked up PJ. It was time to take the bull by the horns.
* * * *
When his talk with Patrick was done and they’d finished their beers, Beck headed out to his truck. He had work to finish before he could head over to Patrick’s place.
He stuck the key in the ignition and started the truck so the interior would cool off a little and pulled out his phone.
Looked at the call history.
Put the phone back.
Then pulled it back out again.
“Don’t be a pussy,” he growled to no one but himself and flicked his finger across the screen, looking for the number he needed to dial. He took a deep breath as he put the phone to his ear and waited for the answer.
A feminine voice came on the line. “Hello?”
“Chloe?”
“Beck? Is that you?”
“Yup. It’s me. I hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time.”
He could hear a shuffling noise and the sound of a door closing. “No. No. It’s not a bad time. Are you all right? Is everything okay?”
Beck smiled. Of course she’d be concerned right off the bat. She cared about everyone. “Yes. Everything’s fine. I called because I needed to talk to you.” His voice deserted him and he cleared his throat to get the pesky butterflies to go back down. He was fucking this up but good.
“Oh? Well…um. How’s Cooter?”
Beck smiled, realizing what she was doing. “Oh, he’s fine. He’s at home, and I’m in my truck. Otherwise I’d let you talk to him and he’d wheeze at you.”
“I miss him. He’s a good dog. Pat him for me.”
Beck smiled at the sincerity in her voice. “I will. Hey listen, I wanted to ask you something.”
“Okay?” She sounded more hesitant.
“It’s not what you’re probably worried about. I guess I should explain. I met someone.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I think you were right. When you said that there’s someone meant for everyone and you and I weren’t…Well…I think I met the one I’m supposed to be with, and I just needed to—”
Chloe cut him off. “Will you tell me about her? You sound happy and I want to hear about her.”
Beck chuckled and had to swallow down more silly butterflies but at least his heart rhythm returned to normal as he thought of Lucy. “She’s beautiful.”
Chloe giggled. “Of course.”
“She has long, wavy black hair and really unusual blue eyes. It’s like…hell, you’ll think I’m silly but it’s like she can see inside my…soul or something.” His cheeks grew a little hot at the admission.
“I understand,” she replied in a dreamy voice.
“She’s tall, and really confident. She’s a massage therapist like you.”
“Really? Oh my gosh, I wonder what you thought of that at first.”
“Honestly? I wouldn’t even consider her. I thought—I thought it was too much like…you know.”
“Yeah,” she said, understanding in her tone. “Tell me more about her. She sounds special.”
“She has a temper. Hotter than mine, even.”
“You? A temper? Beck, please.” She giggled out loud.
“What? I got a temper.”
“Not that I ever saw, Beck O’Malley. I’m sorry to interrupt. Go ahead.”
“Anyway, she’s got this temper. We clash sometimes, but damn…”
“You love her, don’t you? You’re all the way, completely in love with her.”
“I do. I am.”
“I’m so happy for you, Beck. You found your one, just like I knew you would.” He could almost hear her smile in her voice.
Beck grinned. “Actually, it’s a ménage.” It was on the tip his tongue to say “Just like yours” but he didn’t want her to think he was competing.
“Oh, yeah? I heard there was some of that going on over in Divine.” Her words came out wrapped in laughter. “So tell me, who’s the other guy?” Beck explained, and then she said, “Are you proposing to her?”