He missed the curve of Ellery’s black lipstick as he grabbed his wallet and hustled out the door.
Beckett made a quick pit stop at Blakeley’s Hardware before continuing down the block to the yoga studio. As he approached, he spotted a small crowd of people clutching rolled up mats gathered at the front door.
Gianna was on her cellphone frantically pacing in front of the building. She stopped mid-step when she spotted him. Wordlessly, Beckett held up the keys and the smile that bloomed on her flawless face was like sunshine.
“Never mind,” Gianna said into the phone before hanging up. She launched herself at Beckett, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a smacking kiss on his cheek.
He chuckled and lowered her carefully to the ground.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she chanted. “Mr. Mayor saves the day,” she announced to the crowd. He gave a mock bow, acknowledging the cheers and whistles.
Gianna unlocked the front door and started herding students inside.
“Isn’t that lucky that you found Gia’s keys?” Willa said sweetly. Her waterfall of pale blonde hair was pulled back into her trademark braid and she was wearing a Blue Moon Boots tank top.
“I must have left them at his office when I stopped by,” Gianna said cheerfully.
Willa’s curious expression was making Beckett sweat.
“Oh,” Willa smiled. “Were you there on business?”
“Oh, no. I just left my shoes there last night,” Gia answered, holding the door for Willa.
Gianna obviously had no idea the train wreck she was setting into motion, Beckett thought as panic gripped him. It had been funny when it happened to Carter, hilarious even. But to be in the sights of Blue Moon’s diabolical Beautification Committee himself? To be a target of their overt and ridiculous matchmaking attempts?
It was no longer a laughing matter.
“I see,” Willa said, eyes glittering.
“It was just dinner,” Beckett said quickly. “Pizza. We had pizza.” He was babbling. Lawyers didn’t babble. At least, not good ones.
“The kids loved it,” Gia said, beaming up at Beckett.
Beckett wished Gianna would just go inside instead of looking at him like he was some kind of Greek god.
“How sweet,” Willa said. Her phone was already out and he had a sneaking suspicion she had captured Gianna’s greeting on camera. “I guess I’d better get inside. Have a great day, Beckett,” she called over her shoulder.
Beckett felt his blood pressure spike and was about to stop Willa to set the record straight when Summer and Joey jogged down the sidewalk.
“We’re not late, are we?” Summer asked, gasping for air.
“I didn’t know you two were coming!” Gia said. “What a nice surprise! You’re right on time. Just go on in and pick your spots. If you need a mat they’re on the shelves along the wall.”
“She bribed me with lunch,” Joey said, glaring at Summer’s departing back. “You should come, too.”
Gianna blinked. “Well, sure. I’d love to.”
Joey glanced up at Beckett. “You coming?”
He shook his head rapidly from side to side.
“Beckett’s had his fill of yoga for the time being,” Gianna explained, winking up at him. “He suffered through two hot power classes.”
“Hot power yoga?” Joey looked scared.
“Don’t worry,” Gianna reassured her. “Lunch Hour Yoga is a relaxing vinyasa class.” She gently prodded Joey through the door.
“Vin-what-a?”
“Thanks again, Beckett,” Gianna shot him a sweet smile over her shoulder. “You’re my hero of the day.”
He stood rooted to the spot, staring at the glass feeling a mixture of panic and defeat. His phone signaled in his pocket.
“What?”
“That’s not a very Mr. Mayory way to answer the phone,” Carter answered.
“Sorry. I just had a … conversation with Willa.”
His brother’s gleeful chuckle further rankled Beckett. “She works fast. I take it you haven’t seen Facebook yet?” Carter asked.
Beckett swore and pulled the phone away from his ear.
“What am I looking for?” he asked, switching to speakerphone.
“You’ll know it when you see it,” Carter returned cryptically. “I gotta go. Good luck.”
“Good luck?” Beckett muttered. Good luck with what?
Shit.
Blue Moon’s Gossip Group was faster than a Ferrari on the drag strip. Two minutes ago, someone — presumably Willa — had posted a picture of Gianna in his arms exactly where he stood.
Could Blue Moon have a new first lady? It looks like Beckett Pierce might finally be off the market.
The previous post from the night before announced that Beckett and Gianna were sharing a “quiet family dinner.”
His phone rang again and he bobbled it.
“I didn’t interrupt you two working on your wedding registry, did I?” his younger brother snickered.
“Fuck you, Jax,” Beckett growled. He stalked down the street.
“Now don’t tell me the gossip group got it wrong.”
“There is nothing going on between Gianna and me.”