8. Beckett

8

BECKETT

A few weeks passed with regular phone calls and texts, even Stanton stopping by the office just to give me a kiss and leave. No more dates, though. He'd had several fires to put out with work, including a couple of sick employees. Yet I needed to try, and that's why I'd agreed to meet him and some friends on a rare Saturday night off for him. His schedule was ridiculously busy with planning and attending parties, keeping everyone happy. How much work went into event planning had never crossed my mind.

Everyone who worked under me in the legal department found great amusement in him arriving just to bring me lunch or even a simple kiss, anything to spend a few minutes with me. Stanton was loved by everyone at Sanderson's Investments, and there never seemed to be an end to funny stories, hell, even heartwarming ones, where Stanton starred as the hero.

Stanton had told me his friends were meeting up at a well-known gay pub for dinner and drinks. He'd tried to talk me into letting him pick me up, but I'd had to go into work for an emergency and said I'd just meet him. Stanton hadn't been all that happy about me making my way there on my own, but he'd relented after I promised I'd be careful.

I paused a few feet to the right of the door, smoothing the dress shirt I'd paired with dark jeans. The soft linen conformed to the curve of my belly. I prepared to spend an evening with people Stanton's age. My insecurities were at an all-time high. That hadn't happened much since I'd met him because he'd made me feel good in my skin in such a short time. Although, I'd reverted a bit during the lead-up to having dinner and drinks with his friend group.

I entered the chaos slowly and let my gaze scan the room until I spotted Stanton. His gorgeous face brightened with a grin. As if he sensed me entering, he looked up, and a sweet smile that seemed to be meant only for me curved his lips. He instantly stood up from the table and started making his way through the crowd to meet me.

The second he was within touching range, he wrapped one hand around the side of my waist and tugged me against him. Not once did I hesitate to lower my mouth to his when he'd tipped his head back. The public displays of affection wouldn't get old. It was new and addictive.

"Hey, baby boy, you didn't answer my text." He drew me down until he could whisper into my ear.

"Sorry, I was running behind and just didn't want to be later than I already was."

"That's okay, I was getting worried. Just make sure you check and answer so I know you're safe. Come on, everyone's giving me shit about my secret boyfriend. Telling me you don't actually exist because no one can be that perfect."

The way he flattered me made my cheeks heat and, in some ways, I thought I should be immune to the shyness his compliments caused. Especially seeing how generous he was with them, but maybe I never would be. He laced his fingers through mine and led me back to the table, introducing me around. I was happy to see a few men closer to my age than his.

Always a gentleman, Stanton pulled out my chair and motioned to it. He asked what I wanted to drink, and I told him whatever was on tap was fine. As he rubbed my chest, he brushed his lips to the top of my head and said he'd be right back.

"Stanton has been singing your praises." Tyler, a man maybe in his late twenties, cuddled his boyfriend, who was about the same age. Jaron was much larger than Tyler and looked as if he'd lived a hard life. Although, the smile he gave Tyler changed his features, completely softening them with adoration. "We told him he was making you up."

"I don't even want to know what all he was saying." I glanced around nervously because I wasn't the best in social situations. Small talk wasn't my strong suit. Professionally, I was assertive and confident in my abilities. Personally, I'd always felt awkward.

"Nothing bad, I assure you. He just told us you were so perfect we weren't going to believe it."

I lowered my chin to hide what I knew would be a silly grin but raised it when Stanton returned to take the seat beside mine. He stretched his arm along the backrest of the chair. I thanked him for the drink with a quick kiss. When I tried to pull away, he cupped my cheek to keep me in place.

"Someone has Stanton by the balls." An amused voice broke us apart, and I turned to find a built guy who looked as if he lived in a gym. The smile that formed disappeared when I saw who was with him—Tanner.

"Clark, don't start. You're late. That means you're on for the next round. Baby, this is Clark, don't believe a word that comes out of his mouth. And Clark, I told you about Beckett the other night." Stanton introduced me to his friend while I tried to act normal.

"I've known Stanton since high school. He's nothing but trouble… ru n and run fast." Warm, friendly affection filled Clark's voice.

On autopilot, I stretched out my arm to shake his hand and tried to tell myself to relax. There was always a chance Tanner and I would run into each other, but I hadn't expected it to happen that night. I'd never imagined he'd be dating one of Stanton's friends. He hadn't changed, much but he seemed to have lost weight and toned up more since we'd last run into each other months earlier.

"Knock it off. I just got my baby, don't scare him off," Stanton admonished the gorgeous man.

"Everyone, this is Tanner. We met at the gym, and I finally talked him into meeting my friends." Clark went around the table, giving Tanner everyone's name.

I must have tensed or given away my unease because Stanton pinched my chin to make me look at him. "Baby, you okay? Want to go home?"

"No, no, it's okay."

"Good, I want to show my boy off," he whispered, as he pushed a kiss to the corner of my mouth.

"Stanton wasn't much on details. How did you two meet?" Clark asked as he raised his hand to motion a server over.

"We met at a party about three weeks ago." Had it only been a matter of weeks? It seemed like so much longer. But that wasn't surprising. With Stanton, no subject was off limits. He told me everything and answered every question I had. He'd tell me about his day and everyone he met. And in turn, he'd demanded to know every detail of my day.

"I kissed him because he was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen, but then I had to track him down." Stanton's playful tone made me bump him with my shoulder.

"You aren't known for your think-first attitude," Tyler said with a soft chuckle as more people arrived until the table was packed, and I cuddled further up to Stanton .

"I thought about it… I just didn't feel the need not to find him and get his number."

"We had our first date Sunday before last, but it's been a busy few weeks for both of us." I forced my voice to remain steady as I glanced at Tanner and found him glaring at me. He'd stepped out on the relationship, and I'd remained faithful. So why was I getting the dirty looks after he fucked up?

"That's what you get for dating the premier name in event planning in this city. I swear Stanton has the reputation of a man who's been working in his field for decades rather than five years," Tyler said.

I heard the joy in his friend's voice over what Stanton had accomplished. Hell, I felt proud, and I hadn't known Stanton long at all. Yes, I'd tried to keep my distance at first because of his age and his attitude, but my Daddy was perfect. He was everything I hadn't known I wanted in a man. In some ways, that terrified me with how attached I'd become to him in such a short time.

As soft lips brushed my ear, I tensed as he nuzzled that spot just below it. "Boy, tell Daddy what's wrong." His command was edged with concern. I turned my head to whisper in his ear.

"Tanner's my ex." Instantly, I felt his lean frame tense beside mine. "No, no, it's okay."

"Are you sure?" he asked as he stroked his curled fingers across my cheek as if trying to soothe me.

I nodded because, as uncomfortable as I was, I wasn't the first person to run into their ex after a bad break-up or divorce, and I wouldn't be the last. I could be an adult. Tanner wasn't important. That ship had sailed the day the final papers were delivered, and we were no longer married.

"If you want to go home, we'll leave. All you have to do is say the word. Besides, I'm not much of a sharer, and it's been a long damn week."

I chuckled as he retreated to brush his mouth to mine and then held me tighter. The server arrived to take our food orders, and I allowed him to place one for both of us. Once she'd finished and left the table, he laced the fingers of his right hand through mine. I paused to analyze if the affection overwhelmed me. He never allowed me to feel alone, and honestly, I'd gotten used to the loneliness over the last several years.

Stanton in my space, the way he touched me, as if he just wanted to assure himself that I was there, made me feel special. It was also a bit overpowering, but not in a bad way.

"We're going clubbing next Saturday. You and Beckett in?" Clark asked.

I clenched my jaw to hide my thoughts on clubbing, but Stanton tightened his fingers through mine. "No, we'll have to pass, maybe another weekend. Mama's having a big dinner party, and I'm going to take my baby as my date."

"Two Saturdays off in a row, that's rare." Tyler appeared shocked when I glanced at him.

"We have two weddings next weekend, and you know I don't do those. My wedding planners prefer I'm nowhere near the events. Besides, I don't think my mother even thought Beckett would give me a chance."

"That's not true." I turned to glance at him and found him smirking.

"She thought you'd have more sense than to give me the time of day."

"Okay, maybe I'll give her that one."

"Ouch." He grabbed his chest like I wounded him, and I rolled my eyes before excusing myself to go to the bathroom before the food arrived.

The crowd had grown over the half hour since I'd gotten there, and I needed a moment of space. I didn't breathe easy until I entered the hallway, and then the bathroom. After I'd finished up, I stepped up to the row of sinks and heard the door open behind me. I spotted Tanner in the mirror as I washed and dried my hands .

We still didn't speak, it felt as if we were in a stand-off to see which one of us would break first. I was unsure if I even wanted to hear what he had to say. There was a lot I could've dealt with. If he'd simply wanted a divorce, while heartbroken, I would've signed the papers. No, he'd decided to cheat. The unknown number of times haunted me. The betrayal caused so much damage to me.

As I went to leave, he stepped in my way. "Excuse me."

"Can't even say hi?" He scoffed rudely. "Does your boyfriend know who I am?" He sneered as he said the word boyfriend with unnecessary emphasis.

Stanton had wanted me enough to find me again. I'd almost turned him down simply because of his age and the stigma of men and their mid-life crisis going after younger men. Maybe my relationship wouldn't be forever. Yet, I wasn't willing to give up the possibility it could be.

"He does, and he asked me if I wanted to leave. You didn't mention I was your ex-husband either."

I wasn't even mad or upset in any way. Strangely, being alone with him, I didn't feel anything at all. I'd been hopelessly in love with him at some point, of course, but seeing him now, all I could muster was regret. If our marriage had ended sooner, I wouldn't have had my pride and self-confidence shattered when I'd learned I wasn't enough for him.

"Stanton is waiting for me." I stepped around him and almost expected him to stop me, but he didn't. I'd have dinner and then make an excuse to leave. I didn't want to spend the rest of the evening being stared at—judged—whenever Stanton touched me. Happily, I returned to the table and was content to discover that my ex no longer seemed to have any power to hurt me.