That’s probably why, when I move to put my phone on the nightstand, I see a note. My stomach drops, thinking the worst, until I see that it has Beau’s scrawl on it.
Lil,
Thanks for the great weekend. Here’s to many more.
Love,
Beau
God, this man, he’s so much more, and there aren’t enough words to describe him—kind, caring, compassionate. And when he’s deep inside me, giving off those alpha vibes even when I’m the one on top, it’s the best of everything. Not that he let me stay on top for long, especially once we moved into the bedroom.
I place the note back down on my nightstand. At first, I thought he brought it, but he clearly used the pencil and notepad I leave on my nightstand in case a new candy idea hits my imagination. Now I’ll probably never use that same notepad again. I don’t want to ruin his note. I’ll cherish it forever. I look at it one last time, step out of my boots, strip off Beau’s clothes, knowing full well I’ll be putting his shirt back on again to sleep in, and make my way to the shower.
I’m just about to turn on the water in the bathroom when I hear my phone ring. I have no idea who it is but worry it could be my brother, I head back to answer it, wrapping a towel around me as I go.
A smile lights up within me when I see it’s my parents’ phone number. Even all these years later, with Vincent and me out of the house, they still keep a house phone as well as their cell phones, though they share the cell phone, which makes no sense to me, but it works for them.
“Hey, Mama and Papa,” I say when I answer the phone.
“My baby girl, news is traveling around town.” The joy in my mother’s voice carries.
“Is it good news?” I play along. I’m sitting on my bed now, knowing this conversation isn’t going to be a short one.
“Well, that depends. Do you have something you need to tell your papa and me?”
“I’m shocked you heard it from the others in town and not your own son.” To be honest, I probably should have called and told her Beau and I were dating earlier in the week. Though I’m kind of glad I waited, especially now that it’s genuine.
“Oh, we heard from him. After Faith let it slip that you were seen at Beau’s bar a couple of times this week, you could have told me. I always thought you two would go well together, even if your papa grumbles about the ten-year age gap. I constantly remind him we’re twelve years a part in age, and he just says that’s why. But look at us—thirty years later and still happy as can be.” Growing up, they were always laughing, cooking in the kitchen together. When they had their arguments, they’d shoo us out of the area. I don’t think they were ever aware that their voices carried and nine times out of ten, they were arguing about something silly, like who didn’t take the trash to the curb, or when it was intense, it would be over money, and I’d grab Vince by the arm and walk us to the park.
“That’s why I told Vince first. You know how overprotective he can be. I’m sure Beau and I will come over soon, but Mama, this is all so new. I don’t want Vince or Papa to be rude, especially that son of yours.”
“You won’t have to worry about that. You just give me all the details on how this came about, and we’ll call it even.” This is the part I’m going to hate. I’ll be lying to why I finally went to Beau. So, I talk around the part about Chad and tell her the truth, or what I can of it. I’ve always had this thing for Beau, never really going after it though. Always thinking he wouldn’t have any interest in me, until I walked into the Tipsy Cow and saw the way he looked at me, and even though I needed him for the whole Chad issue, I also saw what I was hoping for all along. We finish our talk, allowing the evening to get away from me until she yawns on the other end of the line.
“Oh, Mama, we’ve been gabbing for an hour. Go get some rest. I still have to shower and get some sleep too. Thank you for listening to me. I love you.”
“I love you too. Stop by this week with or without Beau, preferably with,” she responds. We say our goodbyes, and then I get in the shower, already knowing what I’ll be doing when I get out.
Chapter Thirteen
Beau
It’s official. Between mine and Lily’s work schedules, they suck. That doesn’t mean we haven’t made it work this week. I usually bring her lunch at Kissme, and if I don’t, she’ll return the favor, the two of us eating in my office. Tipsy Cow may not be open Sunday through Wednesday, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t crap to get done—schedules to make, inventory being the biggest one, and then, of course, it’s studying the market, non-freaking stop, to see if we can improve everyone’s experience.