Page 65 of Beck and Call

I opened my mouth to answer, but she shook her head stopping me. "I know, you don't have to say it. I also assume you aren't coming back, are you?"

"No, I'm going to work with Jana." I just had to tell Beckett officially. "How did you find out?"

"There were enough people in the office building that it's gotten back to me. I don't think they're openly gossiping, but I'm your dad's assistant, so they figured I needed to know." She playfully bumped me with her shoulder. "How weird was that?"

"About as weird as you can imagine finding out that your fiancé's best friend is your father. Oh, and finding out because said ex-fiancé accused you of sleeping with his best friend, so you take a paternity test you know is not going to be positive. Or at least I thought it wouldn't be. I certainly didn't expect it to come back telling me he wasmyfather."

She frowned. "I knew you were pissed, but I'd hoped there was a chance you two would work it out."

"I honestly don't know how that’s possible," I admitted.

She bit her lip, I suspected to prevent herself from saying something she felt she shouldn't.

"What is it?" I pushed.

"You two didn't really know each other for very long," she began.

I looked around us and made sure our conversation wasn't being overheard. "True, and another reason we shouldn't be getting married."

She shrugged. "There's love between you, but no history. I can understand why you are wary, but don't pass up a lifetime for one bad moment."

"You think I should forgive him?"

"I can't tell you how to feel, but considering he had been snipped, can you blame him for being suspicious? Maybe it would have been better if you'd dated for a while, taken a more normal route to getting engaged, but that isn't your story."

I groaned. "You aren't supposed to make sense. I can't argue with logic and reason."

"Oh, be mad. He was a dick from all I've heard, but was it so unforgivable to live without him, and have your child not have him in their life?" she asked.

"If it were just this, then no, but he's closed off. Yes, I love him, but he doesn't love me. Why should I fight for a one-sided relationship?"

Sabrina seemed to stare at something across the room. I followed her gaze and noticed Beckett had been watching us. "If you think he doesn't love you, then you need to pay attention to what he does more than what he says. That man loves you."

* * *

Beckett

Iwaited, impatiently, for Sabrina to move along. I didn't want to interrupt a conversation with her friend after she'd dutifully and gracefully networked with all the stuffy people my parents invited to this party. Looking around the room, and I couldn't even find a handful of people I considered friends. Colter was about it. It was never more apparent that I needed to work less.

Both women looked my way, and caught me blatantly watching Evie. I didn't look away or pretend I was looking at something else. She was my entire world, and it was time I stopped hiding that from her. I thought for a long time I was afraid of the damage I could do to another person, but the truth was I was terrified of getting hurt again. I was done pretending I was saving her by hiding how I felt. The only thing I actually accomplished was to hurt us both.

Evie and Sabrina hugged, which seemed to be the end of the conversation. I began moving across the room, but I watched Matilda swoop in and introduce herself to Evie. We dated a few times, at my parents’ encouragement. They saw the daughter of a friend, I saw a social climber who wanted my last name and bank account but had little interest in me as a person. I could only imagine what kind of conversation she wanted to have with the woman I intended to marry.

I knew Evie wouldn't argue with me in front of company, so I headed for them and put my arm around her shoulder. I expected her to stiffen at my touch, but she seemed to relax into my side. Forgetting Matilda was there, I placed a chaste kiss to the top of her head.

"I've missed you," I whispered. I wanted her to understand I didn't speak those exact words to sell an image to our guests, and that I meant more than for the last twenty minutes we'd been apart during the party.

"Hello, Beckett," Matilda greeted me. "I was just introducing myself to your lovely, young fiancée."

"I'm surprised to see you here," I said, ignoring her snide comment.

"Really? Our parents are still friends." She looked at Evie, and I noticed a mean smirk threaten to ruin her façade of pleasantry. "Beckett and I go way back. Our parents run in the same circles."

"Huh, I wonder why he's never mentioned you," Evie shot back. "I do know someone who also has a history with you. I believe I saw you at Marjorie Easton's benefit several of months ago."

Matilda's polite façade slipped, but she managed to fix her expression. "Yes, I was there. I didn't realize you were. I guess I was too busy catching up with Beckett to pay attention to little girls."

"Matilda, we didn't speak at the benefit and you know it. Furthermore, Evie knows it since I spent the evening flirting with her. Stop making it sound like you know anything about my life," I interrupted.

---