Page 28 of When We Break

Her smile is so wide, I feel like I just won the lottery.

“How often do you get back to Ireland?” I ask.

“Typically just once a year, during the holidays. Maybe now that I’m not dancing, I can try to get over there for a couple of weeks in the summer as well.”

“Do you miss it?”

She tips her head to the side as she finishes her crust as if she’s giving it some thought. “I miss my parents, and yes, there’s plenty about Ireland to love, but I adapted well to living in the States. How long has your family owned the ranch?”

“My parents bought it when Brooks was a baby, and the rest of us were all born there. Home births.”

“You werebornin the house you still live in?” She blinks at me in surprise. “That’s amazing, Beck. And quite unusual these days.”

“My mom was afraid of hospitals,” I reply. “I find it ironic that one of her kids is now a doctor and spends most of his time in one.”

“Thatisfunny.” The conversation continues to flow as we eat. Not only does Skyla ask intelligent questions but she also seems interested in the answers.

When we’ve finished our dinner and the server approaches, I’m surprised to discover we’ve been here for over an hour.

“Can I get you two any dessert?” the server asks, and we shake our heads. I pay the bill, and my jaw tightens because I don’t want to simply drop her off and leave.

There’s still so much to talk about.

And I’ve quickly become addicted to being in her company.

“I should get Riley home,” Skyla says quietly.

With a nod, I stand and offer her my hand, helping her to her feet. Before letting her go, I pull her fingers to my lips and press a kiss against her knuckles.

I’d never stop touching her if I thought she’d let me.

We’re quiet on our way back to her place. When we reach the gate, I look her way.

I have to punch in a code to get us in, and she worries her bottom lip before saying softly, “Six one nine four.”

I’m quite sure that telling me the code to her gate was a big deal for her, and I won’t let her regret it.

The gate swings open, and I park her SUV in the garage, where she had it before. However, she turns to me in the darkness before we can get out.

“Why don’t you come inside for some tea?”

Thank Christ.

ChapterEight

SKYLA

The truth is, I’m not ready for him to leave. I’ve never felt so comfortable talking to a man in my life. Certainly not one I’m attracted to.

Connor and Mik don’t count.

“I’m just going to quickly let Riley outside, then I’ll put the kettle on.”

Beckett smiles in that soft, patient way he does, which immediately puts me at ease. I love how calm and patient he is. And that face of his makes me ache. I so want to run my fingers through his whiskers. “I can put the kettle on,” he says and drags his hand from my shoulder to my hand, sending shivers through me. “Take care of your boy, Irish.”

Irish.

That’s the second time he’s called me that, and I don’t hate it. I’ve had many nicknames over the years, but nothing sounds quite as sexy as Beckett saying that one simple word.

---