Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43

-Beckett-

120 vaucheri

I kept convincing myself this date was just a technicality–an obligation, a mess Nana created–and that I just wanted to get my six hundred thousand dollars‘ worth. But it was like fighting a losing battle from the beginning. By the time I drove home, I had already forgotten my problems at work and was looking forward to seeing Andi.

My freaking maid.

How fucking ironic is this? I had never been this excited to go home, to see someone. It felt like third grade all over again. when I had a massive crush on our class adviser, Ms. Jessa, and was too excited to go to school every day.

My heart was doing cartwheels in my chest as I parked my car in the driveway. The weather was perfect, and the sun would be setting soon. When I checked the time, I still had thirty minutes to get ready.

I stepped out of the car, and the loud pounding in my chest only got crazier. I swear I probably had five mini heart attacks while I was getting ready. The clothes in my closet looked dull, as if I hadn’t handpicked them myself when I bought them. I plucked them one after another from the clothes rack. Everything felt too much, too little, like nothing was right for this night.

When did I ever give a shit about what to wear when I

go

out?‘

I paused, frowning at myself in the mirrored wall of my walk–in closet.

‘Ahh, fuck this,” I grunted and picked one dress shirt randomly, along with jeans, then stepped out of my room before I changed my mind for the hundredth time.

Just as I reached the ground–floor landing of the stairs, Andi walked through the French doors, leaving me tongue–tied and ighting to catch my breath.

She wasn’t wearing the dress from last night. Thank God. If she were, I might’ve canceled the entire thing and locked myself n my room like a coward.

Tonight, she wore something simple. Soft. A dress that skimmed her curves without trying to seduce anyone–yet somehow did a better job of it than silk and diamonds ever could. Just by the way she fidgeted and scratched her arms, I knew that dress wasn’t hers.

The more I stared at her, the tighter my chest became. My feet felt so heavy I couldn’t move from the spot. Her cheeks glowed bright red when she noticed I was already staring at her. She tucked her hair behind her ears and gave me a tentative

smile.

Control your emotions, Beckett! Get a grip, dammit!

“You’re late,” I managed to spit out, checking my watch even though she wasn’t. I needed a reason to take my eyes off her. Her brows knitted, that usual annoyed scowl she reserved for me coming forward. “It’s six fifty–eight.”

I hummed. “Cutting it close.”

Her lips parted, clearly wanting to argue, then she shut them again. That alone did something dangerous to me. She wasn’t defiant tonight. She was cautious–and I didn’t want this cautious Andi. I wanted her usual sass, witty comebacks, and scowl aimed straight at me.

10:22 pm

Chapter 43

M

The drive was quiet. Too quiet.

010

I could feel her beside me–her warmth, the faint scent of soap, and something floral. Every stoplight stretched like a test of endurance. My left shoulder throbbed in warning pulses, but I ignored it. Pain was easier than whatever was happening in my chest.

I could practically hear her mental gears shifting. She’d been staring too long out the window; I half–expected her to break it and jump out of the car. I felt the need to smash the silence between us.

“You don’t have to look so tense,” I said, trying to sound friendly.

She startled, turning to me with those big blue eyes. “What? I’m just-” She thought for a moment, then came up empty- handed.

“This is just a friendly date, if that’s what you’re worried about,” I said, confused about where that even came from. Andi didn’t seem interested in me, not like every other woman who came at me. She was different. Sometimes I even felt like she hated my guts.

“Oh, uhm,” she once again pushed her wayward hair behind her ears. She did that whenever she was unsure or nervous. “I just… I’m just not sure how to act around you, is all.”

“Why?” I raised an eyebrow, the hum of the air conditioning filling the gap as she conjured a reply.

“You are my boss,” she said. “I work for you, and going on this friendly date doesn’t feel right.”

“I get it,” I said, coming clean. “But we need to do this.”

“Need?”

I nodded. “Nana will not stop hounding me about the charity date. I wouldn’t even be surprised if she has people following

us.”

She gasped, eyes wide as saucers, as fear crossed her face. “You’re not joking?”

I shook my head. “I wish I were,” I said. “What Nana wants, Nana gets. I’m actually surprised she isn’t forcing us to marry each other.” I chortled, remembering all of Nana’s schemes to pair me with her amigas‘ daughters.

She only stopped when I told her I’d marry whoever she chose if I were still single at forty. That didn’t stop her from scheming behind my back–just like this date.

“Oh,” she murmured. “So we’re only doing this because of Nana Lucy.” Her tone was flat. I couldn’t tell whether that was disappointment or relief.

“Uh–huh,” I hummed. “And also because this date was too expensive. I want us to enjoy tonight. So can we agree on one thing before we get to our destination?”

She blinked at me. “What is it?”

I stopped at a red light and looked at her. The glow from the dashboard cast a soft light over her face. My hands itched to reach for her cheeks, to feel how smooth her skin might be. I gripped the steering wheel tightly to stop myself from crossing the line. I had to remember–Andi wasn’t like most women.

“Tonight, we’re friends. You’re Andi, and I’m Beckett. I’m not your boss, and you’re not my maid–but my date. My heart skipped when her lips parted in surprise. The itch to reach for her crawled beneath my skin like a virus, spreading fast.

“Is that alright with you?” I was surprised at how low my voice had gotten.

10:22 pm

Chapter 43

“Uhm. okay.” She gave a timid nod. “Beckett.”

0:41

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