Page 82 of Best Kept Secret

"How thoughtful," she said, not hiding the skepticism in her voice. Nina knew me well, and she sure as hell knew this wasn't just about being thoughtful. I was trying to win my girl back.

"I'm full of surprises." I snapped the lid shut. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

"Beau." She stepped in front of me, blocking my path. "What makes you think Mira's gonna be impressed by a box of sweets?"

I stopped, focusing my gaze at her. "It's not about the sweets, Nina."

She gave me a long, hard look, like she was trying to figure out if I was serious or just running another play. "Then what's it about?"

"It's about showing her I remember. And that I give a damn." My voice was low. I was trying to sound confident, but I was sure Nina could tell I was scared shitless.

Nina stared at me for a beat longer, then sighed, stepping aside. "I sometimes feel like I'm running a matchmaking agency instead of an architecture and design firm."

I grinned. "I could say somethin' highly inappropriate, but since I like my balls where they are, I'm goin' to go find my girl."

Nina sighed. "Everyone in my firm is hookin' up. It's a disease."

"Come on, Nina, we'll probably have a big, fat Indian wedding, and you'll be invited."

Nina was laughing as she walked away. "You're one optimistic, son of a bitch, Beau, I'll give you that. Good luck with your balls, the ones in syrupandthose in your pants."

With Nina out of the way, I headed toward the cafeteria doors. The brand-new space smelled of delicious food and spices. I knew that Mira had helped design this, and she'd built something that was warm, modern, somewhere people would actually want to spend their time. Maybe I should have her come and assess the cafeteria in my company. That place could use a shot of cozy.

I adjusted my grip on the box, my palms sweating just enough to piss me off. It wasn't the sweets that had me worked up, it was Mira. I was afraid she'd put up walls, shut me out like I didn't exist, and it was driving me out of my damn mind.

She was behind the counter, humming.

I stood for a long minute and watched her.

She was in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. No one should look so fucking good in such basic clothes, but my Mira did. Her hair was tied up and she wore a bandana, chef style, to hold the silken strands away from her face.

I cleared my throat, stepped up to the counter, and set the box down in front of her like it was some kind of peace offering.

"What's that?" she asked.

I let my breath out in relief. She was in a good mood. Since our chat at the bar, she was letting me in. She talked to me. She let me talk to her. "Hello, darlin'. How are you doin' today?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "Beau, I was doing just fine until you came along. What's in the box?"

"It's for you to find out."

She didn't move, didn't reach for the box. "Beau?"

"Come on, darlin', work with me here."

She held back a smile, but I knew it was taking her some effort to do that. She opened the box and gasped. "No!"

"Yes." I loved that this made her happy. I wanted to do nothing but make her happy for the rest of our lives, if she'd let me.

"Rasgulla?"

"I believe so."

She looked at the card in the box. "From Nathus?"

"Your favorite."

She looked at me like I'd bought her diamonds. Hell, I didn't think she'd be this happy, even if I had gotten her expensive jewelry. But this box of sweets—forty-nine ninety-nine, shipping included—was what brought that smile to her face, the one I'd missed so fucking much.

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