Page 45 of Somebody to Save
“They do,” I agreed. “So, what exactly did she say?”
He chuckled and glanced down at our hands. That feeling in my gut shifted in the seconds it took him to respond.
“She was just expressing her concerns.”
“I need specifics.Please,” I urged. Not knowing exactly what they discussed was going to eat me alive.
His hazel eyes met mine again, and I swallowed thickly. There was only confidence behind them, and maybe the apprehension thick around us was just in my head. I hoped it was at least. I couldn’t even be worried about one of my coworkers walking through my open office door.
He dropped my hands to cup my cheeks, his thumb brushing over my skin.
“She told me how special you are, which we agreed on,” he said with a smile. “And that you deserve someone who wants the same things you do. Like marriage and children.”
My eyes widened, and I gaped up at Beckett, who didn’t seem fazed at all. Which was a wonder because I was reeling.
“Wait, wha—what?” I stuttered, shaking my head, but Beckett tightened his hold.
“I promise, it’s okay. I can see you beginning to freak, and?—”
“How are younotfreaking?!” I exclaimed a little too loudly. I glanced quickly around Beckett to make sure no one had heard me, then continued in a quieter yet just as tense whisper. “I can’t believe she would bring that up. I mean, we only just started seeing each other. We haven’t even had the talk about defining the relationship.”
“Addison,” Beckett said quickly, but I just kept talking.
“Not saying thisisa relationship, but you know what I mean. That’s just not where we are right now, and that’s okay. And I can’t?—”
“Addison,” he said again, only firmer and with enough authority that I immediately stopped talking. “You don’t need to freak out,” he continued, his voice softer. He brushed my hair back and clasped my neck. His slightly cooler palms felt good against my extra warm skin.
I took a deep breath, which did little to help my racing heart and thoughts. But when Beckett spoke again, I was transfixed on his voice and his words.
“First, we don’t have to define our relationship until you feel ready, but I want you to know, you are the only woman in my life. I won’t be sleeping with or dating anyone else. You have my full attention.”
“Good to know,” I muttered absent-mindedly. I felt like I should say something more, but my thoughts were scrambled. It wasn’t easy to think straight when a beautiful man was touching you and telling you all the things you’ve always wanted to hear.
“Second, I plan on winning over your grandmothers. Nana will love me, because she’s going to see how crazy I am for her granddaughter and how pure my intentions are.”
“That should help.” He smiled and kissed me softly. “Is there a third?”
He nodded, eyes bouncing from mine tomy lips and back again. Every breath I inhaled was all him, and every exhale felt easier than the last.
“Third, I understand why Nana brought it up. She doesn’t want you to invest time and energy into something that doesn’t have the same end goals. But marriage and kids are also things I imagined for my life, so if you also want that, then there’s no issue there.”
“Eventually,” I muttered. “I want those thingseventually.Not anytime soon. Ijustturned twenty-three.”
He smiled down at me, and I got a glimpse of his dimple hidden behind the dark scruff along his jaw. “Eventually,” he agreed. “And until then, all I want to do is get to know you better.”
In a matter of a minute, Beckett had assuaged all my concerns, all my doubts. And I knew he’d eventually do the same with Nana.
TWENTY-TWO
THE LIST
Addison
“What are you doing right now?”Bri asked as I leaned back in my desk chair.
“Sitting at work.”
“Which one?”
