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“It doesn’t really hurt unless I put weight on it. I really am going to be fine.”
“I didn’t listen to you.” I blurted out the words.
He nodded. “I got that impression.”
I was not doing this right. I looked at Worth and he smiled at me. Somehow, I could do this. Worth was there supporting me, but I needed to make this confession myself.
“I’ve had a thing for Worth ever since he came to visit you in St. Louis.”
Beck eyes went wide. “What? You didn’t say anything. I never thought….”
“Why would you? And why would I tell you I was crushing on your brother?”
“The brother he’d very thoroughly warned to stay away from you,” Worth added.
Beck scowled at him. “Don’t tell me you were interested in Laurence for more than what I expected you to be interested in.”
“You mean a one-night fling?”
Beck wrinkled his nose in disgust. “I’m going to have to put up with this all the time now, aren’t I?”
Worth’s smirk made me laugh. “Someday you’ll get to pay us back.”
“Not with one of your best friends. I mean, not that they aren’t all hot as hell, but they’re taken, and who knows I might end up with a woman.”
In the time I’d known Beck, I’d seen him date both men and women, so that didn’t surprise me. “I just hope you end up with someone you care about the way I’ve fallen for Worth.”
“Laurence—”
“I know why you warned me off, and you had good reason. I had no business going straight into a relationship, and you were absolutely right to remind me that your brother was not into anything long term.”
Worth broke in. “I have thought about Laurie over the years, except I imagined him looking like he did back then. When we reconnected, it was?—”
Beck held up a hand. “Don’t tell me.”
“Explosive.”
“That’s enough.”
“I haven’t been interested in anyone since that night. I haven’t even flirted with anyone else. Bringing Laurie here was the most natural thing in the world, and you know I don’t let men stay here overnight. He even offered to stay in a guest room, and I said no. I don’t want him out of my sight.”
“Thank God you didn’t bring him with you tonight.”
Worth scowled. “I would never put him in danger like that, but I thought about him every second I was there.”
I turned to look at Worth. “You did?”
“Yes, I told you that.”
He had, but it was still hard to believe. Warmth filled me at his reassurance.
“I’ve never seen you like this, Worth.” Beck said. “While you were up on the roof, your friends told me the same thing. They’re convinced Laurie is The One for you. I’m just having a hard time believing it.”
“Can you try?” I asked. “I want to stay here with Worth. I want to explore where things can go for us, but I also want you to still be my friend. And the bond between you and Worth is so important, especially considering the rest of your family circumstances.”
Beck looked at each of us and let out a long breath. “I’ll learn to accept it because the two of you look happy in a way I’ve never seen either of you. That has to mean something.”
Worth huffed. “Damn right it does.”
