Page 34 of Fifty-Fifty

She smiles softly, digging her teeth into her lower lip before nodding slowly.

I grin. “Chantilly Lace, it is.”

And with that, I head to the hardware store to order a shit ton of paint. And the whole time I’m smiling from ear to ear while praying it’ll fulfill a girl’s dream who deserves to have them all answered.

Chapter Eleven

Beau

The phone’s been ringin’ off the hook since Noah did that promotion for the site. We’re booked out for the next month and are fillin’ up fast for Christmas, too.

We haven’t been this busy in… ever.

I’m so excited that I can hardly contain myself, and it’s all because of my very own knight in shinin’ armor with swirlin’ ink markin’ his body instead of polished steel.

The paint came in today, and Noah went to pick it up while I’m on my way to drop Mac off at Harold and Betty’s house. They’re nice enough to watch her so that I can help get the house painted. We’ve already moved the furniture and taped off the cabinets and fixtures. All we need to do now is get to paintin’.

We have one more week ‘til the festival and want to have the place in tip-top shape before then.

With a quick kiss to Mac’s forehead, she’s off makin’ a mess in Betty’s kitchen. A giant grin is plastered on her face as she disappears around the corner.

“Thanks again for watchin’ her,” I say, handin’ Mac’s bag over to Betty. It’s filled with snacks, a change of clothes, and her favorite stuffed animal. A dinosaur.

“Don’t mention it, Beau. You deserve a date every once in a while,” Betty replies with a twinkle in her eye.

I shake my head. “It ain’t a date, Miss Betty. We’re just paintin’ the walls. That’s it.”

“Sure it is.” She winks as Harold comes over and wraps his arms around his wife’s waist before resting his chin on her shoulder.

“What’d I miss?” he asks mischievously.

Betty fills him in. “Our cute lil’ Beau thinks that paintin’ the walls ain’t a date.”

Harold smirks. “Oh, darlin’. Have you been living under a rock? I told ya to give him a chance. You might not know it, but him painting your house is doin’ exactly that.”

“Exactly what?”

“Givin’ him a chance.”

Rollin’ my eyes, I turn back to the walkway before callin’ over my shoulder. “See y'all in a few hours!”

“She’s welcome to sleep in the guest room! Ya know… if y’all get distracted while painting your walls and all,” Harold shouts to my retreatin’ form.

I can’t help the smile that slips through my armor when I hear Betty slap his chest playfully. “Harold! Not in front of the kids.”

“Bye, Mama!” Mac shouts. She’s usually Harold’s shadow, so I ain’t surprised she came back to the front door to say goodbye.

I turn around then wave to my baby girl. “Bye, sweet pea! See y'all later!”

Betty picks Mac up and places her on her hip as they all wave goodbye. I make a point to ignore their knowin’ smirks as I walk down their driveway and toward the inn.

It ain’t a date.

* * *

There’s a loud honk behind me as I’m walkin’ down the street. The boomin’ sound catches my attention, and I turn around to see who’s causin’ the commotion.

When I see Noah’s black truck slowin’ down beside me, I roll my eyes.

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