Before it could make her forget she wanted to know him, she pulled back. “My turn.” She flipped over a king. “Finally!”
“Question you’ve been dying to ask?” His laughter made her smile on the inside.
She set the card down in the discard pile. “What’s your dream?”
Something she couldn’t label shadowed his gaze. “Wow. That’s a deep one.” He tapped his hand against the back of the couch. “I’ve always loved the outdoors. I like camping, any water sport available, I’ve been on a few weeklong hikes.”
Presley gasped. “Were you lost?”
“No,” he laughed.
“Did you trace ‘HELP’ in the sand and hope for rescue?”
He laughed harder. “No.”
“Then why did you go for so long?”
Beckett reached out, tapped her nose with his finger. “It was fun.”
“Lies,” she said. “But carry on.”
“Unlike a lot of people I went to school with, I always wanted to come home after university. When Brian, my boss, offered me a management gig at his sports store, it seemed perfect. Combined the things I loved. But for a while now, I’ve been feeling like I wanted more. Then Gray got this place and we got busy.”
On paper, they couldn’t be more different. But his answer proved they were more alike than either of them could have guessed.
“You didn’t answer the question.”
He laughed, nodded, as if he had just realized she was right.
“And the bike shop?”
Running a hand through his hair, something he did when he wasn’t quite sure how to respond, he looked straight ahead, out the window. “Right. I shared that with you.” He turned to face her. “I’ve always had this idea that opening my own bike rental shop in Smile would be really fulfilling.” He looked down, tapped his finger against his thigh before meeting her gaze again. “I’ve always wanted to be part of what makes Smile a cool place to visit. This would let me do that.”
“So, the second store?”
He shook his head. “I’ve taken that off my list. I don’t want to be away from my family. I want to watch Ollie grow up, see what Gray does with this place.”
She loved that. Something stretched tight inside of her chest. Longing?
“It’s good to be sure. Where are you at with the bike shop?”
His gaze went past her again. “I actually got preapproved for a business loan this morning. I’ve been researching bikes for years, so I know which ones I’d start with. Singles, doubles, and some family ones. I’m still undecided on a location, but I have it narrowed down. With everything going on here, I haven’t told my siblings yet.”
She waited until he looked at her again. “You sound happy when you talk about it. I think it’s a wonderful idea. You and your siblings seem to not only love each other butlikeeach other. I’m sure they want to support you just as you’ve done them.”
He nodded. “I know. You’re absolutely right. They would. But it feels selfish to start my own business while Gray is getting this one up and running.”
“You have to know the two businesses would complement each other.”
Beckett leaned into her, making her feel like he was sharing his secrets. Which he was, but she wondered if that was wise, given their expiration date. But maybe it was easier for them to talk because neither of them had any obligation to the other.
“I love your business brain. I think the two would work perfectly together. But again, Gray is barely staying afloat. Now he’s got Dayton’s idea running around in his head. I could just go, do my own thing, but… I hate missing out when I’m gone. I love it here, but it’s his, not mine, and I want my own thing. Maybe that’s ridiculous. I’m not sure. My parents will be here soon. I miss them. They’re touring the country in an RV. Once I see them, maybe I’ll feel less like I’m abandoning my brother. Sorry. My answer was really long.”
“I liked it,” she said quietly, playing with the fabric of the couch, her hand nearly touching his fingers. “I think you should give your brother and sister more credit. They might be learning the ropes, like you, but you could present your piece of this in a way that might easeyour brother’s mind. The idea that you’re part of it might actually be a weight off of his shoulders.”
Beckett’s brows scrunched and it made her smile to see him actively considering her thoughts.
“My turn.” He flipped an ace, making her groan. “Where’s your family?”
