Page 22 of When We Break

Slam.

“Oh God …”

And I’d do anything to have it back, just for one day. For one performance.

For one moment.

ChapterSeven

BECKETT

I’m going to give this one more shot because I can’t get Skyla Gallagher out of my head, and I have a feeling I’ll regret it if I don’t do everything I can to get to know her better.

Those alluring eyes.

That thick red hair.

That voice that slips its way under my skin and heats me from the inside out.

I need to at least try because something tells me that she’s definitely worth the effort.

The bell above the door of Paula’s Poseys rings as I push through and see the owner, Summer Wild, fussing with a bouquet at the front counter.

“Hey, Beckett,” she says with a smile. “How can I help you today?”

“I need flowers, but I’m not sure what kind.”

“That’s what you have me for.” She sets her bouquet aside and gives me her undivided attention. “Who are they for?”

“Skyla Gallagher.”

Her eyebrow lifts, and her lips tip up in a smile. “I like where this is going. Is it for an occasion?”

I could tell Summer it’s to congratulate Skyla on her first recital, but let’s face it, this is a small town. Summer’s friends with my sister, so honesty is the only option.

“Yeah, it’s forplease give me your number so I can take you out.”

Summer laughs now and nods. “We’re going to make this happen, my friend. Give me five minutes to do a little research, and I’ll put together something beautiful.”

“Have at it.” I grin at her and hear the bell over the door ring.

“Hey, blondie,” Chase says to his wife as he walks in. “Beck.”

“Hi, Chase.” I shake the man’s hand. Chase and I have known each other since we were kids, and I consider him a good friend. Our ranches aren’t too far apart, and our families have always been close. “Any crime to report out there today?”

He rests his hands on his policeman belt and shrugs a shoulder. “Nothing to speak of. How’s the milk business treating you?”

“I can’t complain.”

“I got it!” Summer exclaims as she rushes out of her walk-in cooler, carrying a bouquet.

“You’re fast.”

She grins at me. “I know my flowers. Okay, so Skyla is Irish. I don’t have any shamrocks or anything like that around here, but Idohave ranunculus, which are a part of the buttercup family and grow in Ireland.”

“Wow, I just wanted pretty flowers, Summer.”

Chase laughs and runs his hands down his face. “It’s neverjustpretty flowers, man.”

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