Starless Nights (Hale Brothers Series Book 2) by Kathryn Andrews Page B

going to come in.”
    “Yeah, I was trying to decide on whether or not I really want a cup of coffee.” He looks past me and at Charlie.
    “So what did you decide?” I ask him.
    His eyes come back to mine and it’s as if they’ve somehow darkened and become harder.
    “I’m here aren’t I?” His tone is sharp and it stings. He lets out a deep sigh, “I’m sorry Leila that sounded bad.” He looks back toward the door and runs his hand through his hair.
    “It’s alright. Have a seat and I’ll go get it for you.” I walk away as quickly as I can. I’m angry at myself for always thinking of him, craving him, and so desperately wanting to see him. Every time things end badly. Not once in what feels like forever have we had a good moment that hasn’t turned sour. If anything, by now, all of these bad moments probably outnumber the good ones.
    I pour the coffee and peek up at Beau and Charlie. He has taken my seat and I can’t help but watch the two of them interact. Charlie starts laughing and Beau has stopped scowling. In a perfect world, they would learn to become friends, but then again, in a perfect world he would see me as more than just a girl he once knew and felt a responsibility for.
    “Leila, guess what?” Charlie says as I return with the coffee.
    “What?” I say, never taking my eyes off of Beau.
    “Beau was just saying how he doesn’t have any plans this afternoon, and I know that you don’t either, so the two of you should hang out. You could catch up and reminisce about the good old days.”
    I’m not sure what type of expression is plastered on my face, but Charlie smirks at me and tilts his head toward Beau. My eyes follow and Beau is looking at Charlie with complete horror.
    Well, there’s my answer to if he ever wondered what it would be like to spend some time together. My heart sinks.
    Giving him the easy out, I say, “It’s alright, I’m sure you have something that you need to do . . .” Besides, I need to be in my studio all afternoon hand stitching beads to the evening wear portion of my collection. Charlie knows this.
    Beau blinks and the shutters in his beautiful hazel eyes slam into place. The three of us remain still, while Beau regards me with what looks like caution and annoyance.
    “Sure, I was just headed home if that sounds alright to you?”
    He wants me to go home with him? He wants to spend time with me? I’m lost in my head, staring at him, until he raises his eyebrows in question.
    “Um sure, I just need to grab my bag from the back.” Turning quickly, I fly through the café and the saloon doors to the kitchen, snatch up my things, and head back out front.
    Beau is already standing by the door, and when he sees me he reaches over and shakes Charlie’s hand.
    “You all set?” he asks me.
    “Yep.”
    I glance at Charlie one last time as I follow Beau out the door. He shoots me a thumbs up and I roll my eyes.
    Standing on the sidewalk, Beau gives me a small smile and starts walking. He doesn’t say one word to me as we round the block and stop in front of an old brownstone.
    “This is it.” He tilts his head toward the building and half interestedly waves his hand at it.
    “You were serious when you said around the corner.” I giggle and for the first time in what feels like forever, he smiles at me. My heart flips over in my chest and squeezes.
    He grabs his keys out of his pocket and I follow behind him up the steps. Taking a deep breath, I mentally take a picture of this moment.
    When I think about us being kids and playing together, the memories are so vivid that they feel like they were just yesterday, not years ago. And now here we are as adults and I’m following him through the front door of his home.
    He glances back at me and smiles again. That’s two smiles, my heart squeezes again.
    “So, the building is rather old and I’m five flights up. Hope you don’t mind the stairs.”
    “Not at all.”
    He holds the door open, and I slip by.