Crazy, Beautiful Love by K. L. Grayson

Author:K. L. Grayson [Grayson, K. L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-01-29T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Beau

“Here. Drink this.” I hold out a bottle of water.

Tess takes it, twists the cap, and chugs.

“More,” I say when she only finishes half.

She gives me the stink eye. “I’m not thirsty.”

“You need to stay hydrated. It’s hot, and you’re pushing yourself hard.” My plea seems to soften her.

“We leave tomorrow. I’m just trying to get as much done today as I can.”

“I know, and you’re doing a wonderful job. But I don’t want you to overdo it. This is strenuous work, and if you’re not careful, you’re going to get hurt.”

When we arrived this morning, Tess went right to work. I stood back and snapped a few more photographs before diving in myself.

Tess presses a hand to the side of my face. “I love that you’re looking out for me, but I’m fine.”

“Did you eat lunch?” I ask, gesturing to the sandwiches one of the volunteers put together.

“Yes.”

“Reapply sunscreen?”

“Beau,” she admonishes. “I’m fine. Stop worrying about me, and let’s concentrate on that pile over there.”

And that’s how the rest of the afternoon goes. Tess and I work our asses off. Every hour I force her to drink a bottle of water and take a few minutes to catch her breath and relax, but then we’re right back at it.

It’s nearly six o’clock before the coordinator and other volunteers decide to call it a day.

“I wanted to thank you again for coming out. I knew you’d be taking pictures, but I never expected you to pitch in and help,” Steve says, holding his hand out to shake mine.

“It was our pleasure. I’ve got your number saved in my phone. I’ll send you some pictures when we decide which ones will go to print.”

“I appreciate that. I assume you’ll be at the dinner auction?”

“Wouldn’t miss it. How about you?” I ask.

Steve nods and looks over at his wife as she sidles up next to him. “We’ll be there,” she answers, smiling at me. Her eyes drift to Tess, who is carrying another load of trash to the dumpster. “Your girlfriend is amazing.”

Girlfriend.

Haven’t had one of those since I dated Chelsie. Haven’t wanted one either…until now.

Rather than correct her, I nod. “She’s wonderful.”

“I hope you don’t mind, but I exchanged phone numbers with her earlier. She said she’d like to come back and help out some more.”

I’m not surprised. “Not at all. I figured a return trip would be in our future.”

“Why do I feel like you’re talking about me over here?” Tess asks, pulling off her gloves. She stuffs them in her back pocket and draws Steve’s wife in for a hug.

“I was telling Beau how wonderful you are. Will you be joining him at the dinner auction?”

Tess looks up at me, confused.

“We haven’t had a chance to discuss it,” I say, wrapping Tess’s hand in mine. “But she’ll be there.”

Steve and his wife looked pleased. “We would love to take you two to dinner tonight,” Steve offers.

“If you don’t already have plans,” his wife adds.

Tess and I look at each other, a spark of interest in both our eyes.

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