Page 68 of The Escape Plan

And all the while, Beckett stands on the stage with his head slightly dipped and the tips of his cheekbones pinkening. The picture of humility.

“What a beautiful serenade.” Next to me, Sissy wipes away a tear as she turns to look at me. “That one’s a keeper, Keeley.”

I just nod dumbly. I wouldn’t dare trying to speak through the huge lump lodged in my throat, anyway.

Who knew music stirred up so much emotion in me?

My eyes meet Beckett’s once again, and he gives me a special little smile, sending my heart slamming against my ribcage.

Maybe it isn’t just the music, then…

I swallow the pesky lump, put on my biggest smile, and cup my hands around my mouth so I can cheer as loudly as possible.

* * *

After Becks closes the show, Serendipi-Tea doesn’t clear out for another couple of hours.

To Nori’s delight, people stick around, mingling, chatting, and sampling some of the teas and pastries on the menu.

And, of course, they want to talk to Beckett.

The man is a hot commodity, being dragged from conversation to conversation. I try not to let my hackles rise too much when a beautiful young blond woman places her hand on Beckett’s arm as she laughs at something he said.

I’m thoroughly placated when he looks down at her hand on his bicep, then gently releases his arm from her clutches with a murmured excuse and moves on to talk to a woman I recognize as Sammie’s mother.

Every time I think of his conversation with the little girl last week, my heart squeezes. I couldn’t hear everything through the window, but I heard enough to know how incredibly gentle Becks was with her. How he handled her emotions carefully and made sure not to disparage or discount her feelings as he led her to a place where she could see herself more positively.

It was nothing short of, well, swoon-inducing. Between that sweet moment with Sammie and his gentle joking with my grandfather, I have to wonder why on earth he thinks he would be a bad partner.

I’ve never seen a man so in tune with how others feel. Which I would think is a great quality in a potential partner.

“Want us to help clean up?” I ask Nori as I drain the last of my decaf mocha latte and set the cup on the counter.

“Us?” she squeaks. “You guys are anusnow?”

My face takes on the color of a burnt lobster. “I just assumed that Beckett will want to help, too.”

“If you’re here, I’d say that’s a safe bet,” she says with a cheeky wink, then heads for the front door as the final stragglers step outside.

She turns the key in the lock, then puts her back against the door with a happy sigh. “Phew!”

It’s now just me, Becks, Nori, and Cash. Ezra disassembled the sound equipment earlier before he and Mae went to relieve their babysitter. And Hayden and her husband went home a while ago because he has an early start in the morning.

So, here we are. With a massive array of strewn cups, glasses, and empty cake plates.

“You got a broom so I can get cracking on this mess?” Becks asks, gesturing to the crumbs and napkins on the floor.

“He cleans, too?!” Nori stage-whispers—loud enough so he can hear, of course.

Beckett takes it in his stride, laughing as he rakes a hand through his already-tousled hair. “What can I say? My mam taught me well.”

I dart behind the coffee bar. “I’ve got something for us before we tackle the cleaning,” I say excitedly. I open the fridge to retrieve the six-pack of Guinness I brought in my tote bag. I hold it up high and look at Beckett. “So we can toast like true Irish people tonight.”

“Yes!” Cash whoops. “Nice one.”

“That’s so thoughtful of you, Keeley,” Becks says, and the smile that lights up his face makes my knees go a little weak.

“I’ve never tried Guinness,” I admit.

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