Page 35 of Beck and Call

Grace's face fell. "I'm so sorry. I suppose Fitz could contact your father."

I shoved down a nervous giggle. "I don't know who he is."

"Your grandparents then," she persisted.

This time when Beckett pulled me closer I burrowed into him. All the inappropriate humor left me, and I felt deflated.

She didn't need me to explain further. "I seem to have shoved my foot in my mouth, haven't I?"

My eyes stung, and my throat tightened. I managed to choke out, "I don't have any family," before I fisted the fabric of Beckett's suit coat and clung to him in a way that made me feel more vulnerable than I was comfortable with.

Mercifully, his car pulled up a moment later. He opened my door and helped me into the car. Once he was in the driver's seat, he turned to me. "I think we should go get a drink."

"I think we should go get several," I countered.

He used the voice command for his phone to call Colter. He didn't even say hi, just issued a demand. "Get your ass down to The Lounge."

"Not unless you tell me how mad you are I let your relationship with Evie slip when I was talking to your dad earlier."

"Show up and I'll let you know, asshole."

Colter started to speak, but Beckett ended the call before he could protest more.

"So it's a drink and vengeance," I commented.

"You should call Jana."

"Why? I don't feel like punching her in the face."

"I'm probably not going to punch him, but I would like to beat my dad to telling Colter we're engaged. I thought you'd like to be the one to tell Jana, and not have her learn through the one-page ad my mom is likely to take out for an engagement announcement."

I took my phone out of my handbag and sent her a quick text asking her to join us at the bar.

He pushed the button to start the car and sped off down the hill toward the center of the city.

* * *

The Lounge was an upscale bar located at the yacht club the Anderson's had belonged to since it was founded in the late nineteenth century. It was a low-key building from the outside, built to blend into the seaside landscape.

Inside, I got a better sense of why Beckett and Colter belonged to this particular club. It had an understated elegance that was in line with their inconspicuous approach to their wealth. The walls were painted a dark slate gray, and the wood floor and ceiling were stained black.

A large light fixture spread across the ceiling, shaped like branches with circular lights shaped like leaves. L-shaped sofas spread around the floor organized into individual seating areas. Along the back wall was the bar, made from gleaming wood and chrome. Behind it was a wall-length mirror with glass shelves filled with top label liquor.

We arrived before either Colter or Jana and chose a sofa near the wall with the most privacy. "I'm glad I get a moment with you before they get here," he said, and took my hand.

"We don't need to change everything. Let's just keep getting to know each other. My parents mean well, but they have a pretty rigid idea of how I should live my life."

"At least I know what to call you now," I teased.

The waiter came over at the same time Jana breezed through the front door. Colter entered right behind her. "What can I get you, sir?" the waiter asked Beckett.

"A bottle of your best champagne and four glasses," he ordered.

"What are we celebrating?" Colter asked.

He lifted my hand and kissed it. "Evie and I are getting married."

"It's only been a week, Beckett," Colter commented.

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