Page 67 of Beau

Beau talked with him until Deidra approached him to take his order.

“Hi, Beau. What can I get you?” she asked him.

“My usual is fine, Deidra. How are you doing?”

“Wonderful and yourself?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes with your order. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“Please. It’s damn cold out there.”

Deidra smiled as she placed a cup on the counter and filled it with the hot brew. Beau nodded his thanks, picked it up, and took a sip. Damn, that felt good. He didn’t realize how cold he was.

After setting the cup on the counter, he glanced around, then stopped at a booth. Eric sat there, staring at him. Beau looked away from him because if he didn’t, he’d take the opportunity to punch him. As he should have done two years ago.

He looked back at him to see him still staring at him, so Beau raised an eyebrow and when Eric smirked, Beau had to clench his fists. He wouldn’t dare start something in here, and Phillips knew it.

Shaking his head, he looked away and picked up his cup again. A few minutes later, Deidra brought his dinner out and set it in front of him.

“Enjoy. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Deidra.”

Beau dug in and ignored Eric. He’d eat his dinner, then go home. As he sat there, he and Mr. Barton talked. The older man knew a lot about what was going on with who in town. He wasn’t really a gossip; he was just more of keeping everyone informed of who was doing what around the area.

As Beau finished his meal, he noticed Eric striding toward him. The smug look on his face made Beau clench his jaw in frustration. He deliberately avoided looking at Eric, knowing that it would only enrage him further.

Beau let out a heavy sigh as he watched Eric walk out. That man knew how to push his buttons.

He pushed away his empty plate and stood up, making his way to the register to pay. As he left a generous tip for Deidra, he exchanged pleasantries with Mr. Barton before stepping outside into the cold evening air.

As he reached for the door handle of his truck, he heard his name being called out. Turning around, he saw Eric leaning against a car, arms folded across his chest and an intense gaze fixed on him. Beau shook his head in annoyance and leaned against his truck, mirroring Eric’s stance. They stood facing each other across the parking lot, tension palpable between them. Beau opened the door of his truck.

Eric broke the silence with a tentative suggestion. “We should talk.”

Beau took a deep breath and slammed his truck door shut before striding toward Eric. The look of surprise on Eric’s face was satisfying. It seemed his bravado was all talk.

“What is there to talk about?” Beau asked bluntly.

“Liz and I... we’re not together anymore,” Eric replied.

Beau scoffed. “And why exactly should I care?”

“Because I want my wife back, and Liz wants to get back with you,” Eric explained.

Beau was sure he had misheard him. “What?”

Eric shrugged nonchalantly. “We made a mistake.”

“It took you two fucking years to figure that out?” Beau retorted incredulously.

“We realized what we’d lost when we saw you and Brenna together,” Eric continued.

“Oh, spare me,” Beau spat dismissively. “I moved on, and I won’t be taking Liz back, ever. And Brenna feels the same way about you.”

“Don’t be so sure,” Eric challenged.

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