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“I’m not dressing up. It’s just a simple dress.”
Her eyes lifted and met mine. “It’s a little cold for a dress, don’t you think?”
Glancing out the window, I saw snow lightly falling. I let out a long exhale. “You’re right. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Jeans and a sweater will be better.”
Mom nodded and sat down on the bed. “Avery?”
“Yeah?” I asked as I walked into my closet, my arms behind my back, trying to undo the zipper.
“Do you like Beck?”
Letting out a half-laugh, half-choking sound, I called out, “I hardly know him, Mom. I mean, I think he’s hot. Who wouldn’t, though? Have you seen him?”
“I have, and yes, he’s quite handsome. He is also a bit older than you.”
I pulled on some jeans, then grabbed a sweater as I walked back into my bedroom. I wasn’t the least bit shy after dressing and undressing in front of all kinds of people, thanks to my time in Paris. And it wasn’t like my mother had never seen me in a bra before.
“Would you be having this conversation with Bradly if the roles were reversed?”
She thought for a moment. “I’m not sure. I’d like to think I would be.”
Pulling the sweater over my head, I gave my mother a really look. “You wouldn’t. The only reason you’re having it with me is because Daddy must have said something to you about how I looked at Beck.” I used air quotes around looked.
To her benefit, she fought a smile.
Pointing to her, I said, “See! He did talk to you, didn’t he?”
“Yes,” she said with a small nod. “He spoke to me. You don’t know how hard it was for him while you were in France, Avery. Now that you’re home, he feels like he needs to protect you.”
“From Beck?” I asked. “What makes either of you think that Beck would look at me as anything other than a friend?”
She gave a one-shoulder shrug, and I could tell she wanted to say something, but instead, she pressed her lips together tightly.
“You and Dad have nothing to worry about, Mom. I highly doubt a guy like Beck would even look twice at me like that.”
“What do you mean? Avery, you’re beautiful both inside and out. And you’re much more mature than most women your age.”
I tilted my head as my hands went to my hips. “Less than a minute ago, you were basically trying to warn me away from those kinds of feelings. Make up your mind, Mom.”
She rolled her eyes and stood. “I’m going to go change. Your father and Beck should be back soon.”
My heart dropped to my stomach, and I nearly tripped over my own tongue. “What? Beck arrived? And he’s with Dad?”
She nodded. “Your father offered to show him around the ranch, since we have time before we need to leave.”
Forcing myself to stay put, I attempted to play off my sudden nerves. “Oh, that’s nice. Is Bradly with them as well?”
“I think so. If you don’t mind, sweetheart, I’ve got some brownies in the oven I was going to take with us. Will you please take them out,” she glanced at her watch, “in maybe five minutes?”
“Sure, I don’t mind at all.”
Turning back to my dressing table, I grabbed a tie and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. I took one last look at my face and decided I liked the less-makeup approach. I had mascara on, a touch of blush, and some light pink lipstick. After all the months of having loads of makeup on my face, it was nice to let my skin breathe.
Slipping on some boots—since it was winter, after all—I grabbed a coat and headed downstairs and into the kitchen.
“Mackenzie! I didn’t know you and Bradly were joining us for dinner.”
She turned and grinned. “Bradly said he wasn’t going to miss this dinner for his life.”
I rolled my eyes. “You don’t think it will be too much of a shock to Grams and Grandpa, do you?”
Mackenzie shook her head. “I think this is going to bring a different kind of happiness to Stella and Ty Senior, I really do.”
I let out a breath. “I’m nervous for Beck.”
Reaching for my hand, she gave it a light squeeze. “It’s going to be okay. He really seems like a great guy. I think your dad really likes him.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “What makes you say that?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because he reminds him of Beck—the older Beck—and he brings back good memories. I’m not sure. He was so happy when Beck started asking questions about the ranch. Bradly suggested they all jump in the truck and take a quick mini tour.”
“From what he told me on the plane ride, he loves spending time at his family’s ranch in Texas. He said he would rather be there than at the office, working for his grandfather. I guess ranching is in his blood.”
