Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 46

Beckett was a different man when he came back after changing his shirt. I can’t help but think that the magic of this night was on that shirt of his. He was quiet, reserved. We still took that walk by the bay, and it was awkward, and the strain in our rapport was back again.

The change in Beckett was obvious. His wall was back up higher than before. He was my boss, and I was his maid all over again because of that ice cream disaster.

The drive back was even worse. If it was awkward when we left the mansion, now it was dry and unpleasant. It’s like he didn’t want me in the car, like I was some girl he couldn’t just ditch. And I have to admit, it was affecting me more than it should. I knew a good outcome for this date was a punch in the sky, and now it came crashing down on me with a heavy blow.

Beckett drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the windowpane, knuckles pressed on his lips. He’d changed into a clean shirt, like he’s changed back into his aloof facade. Every time the headlights washed over his profile, my chest did that stupid, traitorous squeeze.

I stared out the window, fingers twisting together in my lap.

I don’t know why I feel this pinch in my chest seeing him this closed off. He had always been like this towards me. He had been worse. The sad part was, there’s a part of me that hoped this night wouldn’t end, that that ice cream fiasco didn’t take place.

Sir.’

I replayed the word in my head and wanted to crawl out of my own skin. It’s like a magic word that made him snap back to reality. That I was not someone he wouldn’t really go out with, if not for the six hundred thousand dollars he spent in that

auction.

I hadn’t meant to say it like that. It just… slipped. I mean, he was really my boss. But that word was like a line I threw between is because if I hadn’t, I don’t know what would’ve happened next.

Because he was going to kiss me. It wasn’t my imagination. He was really going to kiss me; I know it. I felt it in the way his breath mingled with mine, the way the world had narrowed down to the space between our mouths. One more second and I would’ve tilted my chin up instead of back.

And that terrified me.

I guess this awkward silence was better than if that kiss had really taken place. Where would we end up if it did? I don’t even want to know the answer to that.

The silence stretched until it felt unbearable, but I can do this. I can bear it. Once we’re back at the mansion, I can breathe again. Just a little longer. Hold on to your emotions, Andi.

“I’m sorry,” I blurted, then immediately cringed. Where did that come from? Great. Just great. Now I sounded guilty, like I’d broken something.

Beckett’s grip tightened on the wheel. His nostrils flared. “You don’t need to apologize.”

Are we talking about the same thing? Are we on the same wavelength?

“I ruined the moment,” I said softly. “With… that.”

He exhaled through his nose, slow and controlled. “You didn’t ruin anything.”

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10:23 pm

Chapter 46

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I risked a glance at him. His eyes stayed on the road, but something in his expression had shifted–less bear, roce restraine like a man holding himself together with sheer will. He was back to being my bow again.

“I crossed the line, and you stopped me,” he continued. “That’s not a bad thing”

So we were talking about the same thing. That almost kiss. My heart thudded. “You sound… mad

He finally looked at me then, just for a second, and the intensity in his gaze made my breath hitch. He looked like he was ready to punch a hole through me.

“I am,” he said honestly. Then he looked back at the road. “But not on you on a lot of things”

That admission landed harder than if he’d denied it. His words weighed heavily, like he’d been trying to hold the weight of the world on his shoulder.

I swallowed. “Okay.”

What do I even say to him? It’s like he’s already battling with his emotions.

“Okay?” he echoed, like he wasn’t expecting that from me.

I dared steal a glance at him again. His eyebrows were furrowed, his gaze blazing, and his jaw was locked tight. “Yeah. I mean, things are okay, right?”

“Okay,” he said quietly, like he was talking to himself more than me.

We drove the rest of the way with the windows cracked, the night air cool against my skin. The bay disappeared behind us, replaced by familiar roads, streetlights, and finally the long private drive leading back to the estate.

Reality crept back in with every turn of the wheels.

When he pulled into the driveway, the mansion loomed ahead, lights glowing softly, like nothing monumental had almost happened between its walls.

Beckett put the car in park but didn’t turn it off right away.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he said. “Tonight, you were Andi. Not my maid.”

I nodded, throat tight. “And you were… Beckett.”

A muscle jumped in his jaw at the sound of his name from my mouth again.

He shut off the engine and stepped out, rounding the car to open my door. The gentlemanly gesture made my chest ache all over again.

We walked inside together, footsteps echoing too loudly in the quiet house.

At the base of the stairs, he stopped.

“Goodnight, Andi.”

“Goodnight,” I replied, forcing myself not to add, sir.

For a split second, it felt like he might say more, as if he were weighing something heavy in his chest. The silence was too heavy to bear, and it was too painful to stare at him, but I still did. I wanted to remember this night, my first date with my boss, because I know this won’t happen again.

10:23 pm

Chapter 46

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Sew 30 Youchate

He made this night really special, everything was more than I could have hoped for. Carter didn’t even bother to take me out for dinner, and my boss did, even if it was compulsory

Beckett tucked his hands in his pants. He was also contemplating, searching for the right words to say.

The awkwardness was still there, but I still wanted to end this night properly because tomorrow, we’re going back to our oWTH world, where I was his servant.

I forced a smile. “Thank you,” I said, “for tonight, Beckett. Good night.” Then I turn around, because I might say something i

gaze. would regret if I stayed longer under his heated

I wasn’t even able to take two steps when I felt his hand around my wrist. My world spun when he pulled me back. I landed on his chest with an audible ump. My hands were splayed over his chest to keep me steady.

“What-” I shrieked, only to be silenced by Beckett’s mouth landing on mine.

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