Page 53 of Forever to Fall
“Can’t save lives virtually.” She shrugged. “Although that does sound tempting. It’s a shame I can’t do math.”
Beckett’s job was more than just math, but he knew Mallory could handle it. “You realize I do people’s taxes, and you need to figure out medications, measurements, and stuff I can’t even think about. Like blood, gross.”
“I guess that means you won’t tag along to bring-your-boyfriend-to-work day,” she teased.
“Say it again.”
Mallory frowned, clearly not picking up on what she’d just said. How could she call him her boyfriend so casually? He felt like he’d float away on a cloud of happiness if he wasn’t careful.
“Call me your boyfriend again.”
A devilish grin crossed her face and she licked her lips. What a minx. “You’re my boyfriend, Beckett. As long as you’ll have me.”
How about forever?He wanted to ask, but now wasn’t the time. They’d come such a long way already, and he wasn’t about to rush the moment. Since he didn’t have the words, he used his mouth in other ways, kissing her until he remembered they were still in the hallway.
“All right, girlfriend. Let me get you a toothbrush and some PJs.”
“You have an extra toothbrush? You’re such an adult.”
Beckett opened a drawer and fumbled until he found the pink toothbrush he’d bought when he’d moved to Buckeye Falls. It was silly really, buying something with Mallory in mind before he’d ever seen her. But in his gut, he knew they’d get to this moment, this moment of true intimacy of a nightly routine.
Clearing past the lump in his throat, he handed her the brush. Mallory’s lip quirked when she saw it was bubblegum pink, her favorite color as a girl. “I’m going to tell myself this is just a pink toothbrush, not a pink toothbrush you keep on hand for your dates.”
Play it cool, man!his brain chanted, willing him not to be the awkward guy he tended to be. But when wasn’t Beckett himself? “I got it for you.”
Mallory blinked at the admission, but she didn’t look upset.
“I don’t want to be a creep, but when I was at the drug store, I saw it and I thought what if Mal and I work out and she comes over, and then it snowballed from there.”
Mallory held the toothbrush to her chest, as if it was a diamond necklace and not an off-brand toothbrush from the dollar bin. “How did it snowball?” Her question escaped on a whisper.
Beckett rubbed the back of his neck, a red flush creeping up his skin. In a matter of seconds, he went from Snow White to Elmo. Using his uninjured toe, he flipped open the cabinet under the sink. “I, uh, got you a few things.”
Mallory dipped down to inventory his secret stash, her hands picking through shampoo, lotion, and even her preferred brand of tampons. “I assumed you used the same stuff.”
Did she love this or hate it? A toothbrush was one thing, but Beckett feared he’d overplayed his hand. Was planning for your best friend/ex/best friend’s sister disturbing or endearing? Judging from Mallory’s watery gaze, he thought he chose wisely.
“You’re not going to break my heart,” was all Mallory said before she crashed her lips against his. For a moment, he was too stunned to reciprocate. When they came up for air, Mallory cupped his cheeks and stared up into his eyes. “You’re a good man, Beckett Fox. I’m not going to let this fizzle, you hear me? We’re going to figure this out with Evan.”
Beckett nodded, his grip on her hips tightening. “We will.”
“Now get out of here so I can get ready for bed.” She playfully shoved Beckett out of the bathroom and closed the door. He wasted no time getting her a set of pajamas. He said a silent prayer of thanks to the heavens that he’d washed his sheets that morning. He wanted everything to be perfect for Mallory. This was their first adult sleepover in far, far too long. No pillow forts, no playing nurse, just two people sharing a bed.
Mallory emerged sans makeup with rosy cheeks and her brown hair piled into a knot at the top of her head. Beckett itched to take her hair down, to feel the silky strands between his fingers. Mallory’s hair had always been beautiful; thick and shiny. When they were kids, her mother would put her in double braids, and as she grew, the braids became more complicated and stunning. But Beckett liked Mallory when she was at her most relaxed, with chocolate waves framing her lovely face.
Standing there slack-jawed, Beckett finally offered Mallory her pajamas. “Here you go,” he said with a wave at the stack of clothes. “Help yourself. I’ll be right back.”
Beckett sprinted to the bathroom and splashed a gallon’s worth of cold water on his face. He needed to calm down. They said they were going slow, and he needed to remember that. When he returned to the bedroom, Mallory was already tucked in, curled into a ball.
“I took your old baseball shirt, and it’s so soft it’s basically mine now.” Her words were muffled from behind her pillow. “Now turn off the light and hop in.” She wiggled, making room for him to spoon her. He didn’t need to be asked twice. He turned off the light and catapulted in beside her.
Wrapping an arm around her, Beckett exhaled and melted into the mattress. The sensation of Mallory being with him, the scent of her lotion and the warmth of her skin, made Beckett want to cry. He made a promise to himself to remember how wonderful this moment was, because it was worth fighting for—worth keeping forever.
He loved Mallory, and he would treat her well. Evan would understand that. He had to because Beckett wasn’t going to choose a Lawson. He would make Gramps proud because he’d gotten the girl. And he intended to keep her.
