Page 62 of Beau

Beau chuckled. “I could never be a teacher. I don’t have that kind of patience.”

“Oh, you definitely need it,” Brenna replied with a laugh, then she looked at him with a grin. “I’m glad to see the bruise faded. People would think of you as a battered man.”

“I know I won’t be doing that again for sure.” Beau chuckled.

They walked hand in hand through the parking lot toward the sound of lively music coming from inside the bar. Beau held open the door for her and they entered a crowded but vibrant atmosphere. He leaned close to her ear.

“Do you want to sit at the bar or try for a table?”

“I think our chances are better at the bar,” she replied with a grin.

He nodded and led them through the crowd toward an empty spot at the bar. They settled onto two stools and Beau signaled for the bartender. He ordered a soda since he was driving, while Brenna got her usual drink and took a sip as she observed the energetic crowd. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched people line dancing and she planned to get in a few of those, and slow dance with Beau.

Suddenly, the cheering of the crowd near the entrance caught everyone’s attention. Brenna grinned as she spotted Grant and Jessa Hunter, accompanied by Kay and Landry Yates, making their way through the throng of people.

“I hope he sings,” she said excitedly.

“He probably will,” Beau replied.

As Grant approached them, Beau shook his hand in greeting. “Hey Grant, how’s it going?”

“Good, good. How are you two?” Grant asked with a smile before turning to Brenna. “And as beautiful as ever, Brenna.” He hugged her, then Jessa did.

Beau exchanged handshakes with Landry and a hug with Kay. Brenna also embraced the happy couple.

“It’s great to see you all,” she exclaimed.

“We were just about to get a table. Would you like to join us?” Grant offered.

Brenna looked at Beau who shrugged and grinned, indicating his willingness to change plans.

“That sounds like a great idea,” she responded, and they all walked over to an open table where they could catch up properly.

As the night went on, Brenna’s cheeks began to hurt from laughing so much. Grant loved teasing Jessa, while Landry seemed to enjoy playfully teasing Kay. When the band played The Best of my Love, a song by the Eagles, everyone at their table got up to slow dance. Brenna rested her head on Beau’s chest as they swayed to the music.

“I’m having such a wonderful time, Beau,” she whispered.

“Me too—damn it,” he swore.

She looked up at him questioningly. “What’s wrong?”

“Liz and Eric are here.”

“Where?” She scanned the room.

“Over by the stage, dancing. Why do they always seem to end up wherever we are?”

“I have no idea, but we’ll just ignore them. I refuse to let them ruin our night.”

“Okay.” He pulled her closer and rested his chin on her head.

Brenna was thinking the same thing as Beau; why did Liz and Eric always show up wherever they were? She meant it when she told him she wouldn’t let them ruin their night.

When she caught Liz glaring at her, she couldn’t help but smirk back, causing Liz to quickly look away and say something to Eric. His gaze turned in their direction with a cold expression before settling on Beau. Brenna knew that look; Eric was trying to provoke Beau.

“Let it go, Beau,” she urged him. “He’s just trying to get a reaction out of you.”

“He’s pushing it.”

---