Page 85 of The Perfect Distraction

“Fine,” Beth hissed.

Becca sashayed down the sidewalk while Beth took a deep breath and went up to his porch.

Her foot was on the first step when he lowered the newspaper and grinned at her. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” she said, wondering why she suddenly felt shy.

“Did you and Becca go for a run this morning?” he asked, eyeing her outfit.

“A walk, actually.”

“Have a seat unless you have to get back to your sister.”

Beth shook her head and sat in the wooden rocking chair beside him. His hair was a bit messy, and he hadn’t shaved, but he looked gorgeous as usual. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she marveled at her reaction to him.

“Where’s Joey?” she asked, opting for a neutral topic.

“Lynne took him and Adam to a movie.”

“Oh.”

Leaning forward in his chair and resting his chin on his hands, he said, “What’s on your mind, beautiful?”

At that moment, she wanted to jump into his lap and kiss him silly! If Becca hadn’t been next door spying on them out the kitchen window, she would have suggested they go inside and round the bases again. But she’d have to temper her urges for now.

“I sent a response to Christopher last night,” she said, the words flowing fast.

“Oh,” he said, sitting back in his chair again.

Noticing the look of trepidation on his face, she felt horrible for making him wait so long.

“I told him I wasn’t interested in getting back together—ever,” she added.

His smile started off slowly, but then it turned into a full-on, blinding grin that reached to the corners of his eyes. It was the kind of smile that left no doubt in her mind how happy he was with the news.

“If Becca wasn’t staring at us out the window right now, I’d take you upstairs to celebrate,” he said.

Beth laughed heartily. “How did you know she was spying when your back is to her?”

“I figured if she was anything like you, she’d be looking,” he teased.

“Well, you’re right. Should I wave her away?”

“I have a better idea. How about if we both turn and wave to her at the same time?”

“Perfect.”

“On the count of three. One, two, three!”

They smiled and waved at Becca, who first looked surprised but then smiled and waved back before slipping out of sight.

“I like your sister,” he said.

“You barely know her.”

“But I can tell she has spunk.”

“That’s a polite way to put it.”