Page 51 of Resisting Temptation

Emerson looks toward me, shocked.

Gisele’s more friendly. “Did you, Beckett? What a lovely thing to do.”

“I wouldn’t have been able to take over the shop without him.” I smile at him, so grateful now that the paperwork has been finalized and the shop is officially mine.

Noah arrives with Margo; the two of them appear to be inseparable these days. He is dressed in formal suit pants and a light blue button-up shirt, while she is wearing a fitted pale pink cocktail dress and noticeably more makeup than usual. If I didn’t know better, I would say the shy little thing has a crush on Noah. It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. If I’m miserable because of him, he shouldn’t get to move on.

As our friends chat around me, I watch as he makes the rounds, smiling and shaking hands as she walks beside him. I can’t handle this. The sudden urge to get out of here comes over me, but I know this is important to Parker. He begged me to come, and in the end, I gave in because I knew it would be good for Beckett’s campaign.

Mae and Elliot join us, looking slightly flustered from rushing around.

“Where have you two been?” Emerson asks, concerned.

“Just checking on the staff in the kitchen.” Elliot smiles at her then winks at Mae.

“You’re supposed to be having a night off,” she playfully scolds both of them.

“We are.” Mae smiles sweetly, and I wonder what they were really up to. That’s herI’m guilty as hellface. “He can’t stay away from the place, you know that.” Mae laughs, brushing flour off her little green dress. She has let her hair down in large, glamorous curls that cascade down her back, and she looks absolutely stunning tonight, all dressed up for this special occasion.

It’s impressive to see how Parker smoothly accepts a glass of champagne from Gisele and courteously passes it to Mae. I cast a suspicious glance at my brother. What is he trying to do with my best friend? He grins back at me, all innocent. But he can’t hide from me. I know he’s got a thing for her.

Mae catches my eye and comes to stand beside me. She polishes off her champagne in one go like she really needed the drink. “You on the OJ?”

“Yep.” I sigh.

“Good for you. My nerves are frazzled tonight, I need the drink.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling,” I mutter, still watching Noah. I drop my head closer to her ear. “What’s with all the sneaking round?” She looks at me puzzled, her cheeks flushing. “You and Elliot?” I whisper.

She laughs innocently, looking relieved. “A big surprise for the Alexanders. Let’s just say things did not go according to plan in the kitchen this afternoon, but Elliot came to my aid and saved the day, again. He seems to be doing that for me a lot lately.”

I smirk back at her. She will be a chef by the end of the year, but from the dramas she tells me she has in the kitchen, I really wonder if she would be suited to another profession. “Lucky.”

“So lucky,” she agrees. But I know my bestie, and she’s hiding something from me. I wonder what it is. “I don’t know what I would do without him. Do you ever wonder what would happen if you just threw it all in and started again?”

“You mean a new job? ‘Cause you’re not packing up your life and leaving town like Gisele did. I need you.”

“I won’t leave you. But yeah, maybe a new job. I don’t know. I’m not a very good chef.” She holds up her hand, and I see the bandage wrapped around her fingers.

“Oh, shit. Mae, what did you do?” I ask, inspecting her hand.

“I was distracted, daydreaming stupidly, and nearly chopped my fingers off. Two of them! How is that even possible.”

“Oh my God. You need to be more careful. I don’t think you should give up because of this. People make mistakes. What about that wedding when I snipped through my thumb while finishing off a bouquet, remember? You had to come help me finish it off because I only had one hand.”

“How could I forget, we ended up in the ER. That cut was so deep.” She shudders at the thought.

I’ll never forget it. It was just after Noah left, and I was so distracted I couldn’t concentrate on anything. I was such a mess. “See, and now I own my own store. You’re still learning. Give it time.” I smile at her, but she doesn’t look convinced.

Beckett’s arm laces with mine. “Come meet some people with me.”

I leave our crew and join Beckett, introducing him to influential people from the hotel, making sure they all know how much of a stellar guy he is, and he plays his part, making it easy for us to convince them he will be good for this town. The more time I spend with him, the more I believe what I’m saying.

Servers hand out delightful finger food, and I try to make the most of enjoying a night out, but I’m distracted. While we mingle Noah watches me. He’s never far away, and my eyes keep floating back to him because I feel his on me. I don’t know what to do. I’m itching for a drink to help block him out, but I know I need to keep a clear head. The internal struggle is killing me.

A young brunette smiles Beckett’s way, and he becomes preoccupied with her. He leans into me closer. “What do you know, this event wasn’t without its benefits after all.”

Noah catches my eye as he walks toward us with purpose. Oh, shit, why is he coming over here? He’s lost his sidekick, but I’m sure she’s around here somewhere. I scan the terrace for her, but when I don’t see her, I quickly grab Beckett’s arm. “Don’tyou dare walk away and leave me with him just so you can screw some girl,” I whisper angrily. Can’t he see I need him right now?

---