Chapter Nine
The valet opened Eve’s door when they arrived at the restaurant and then took the keys from Beck. His eyes glistened with anticipation as he looked at the car. “Is it really a Bugatti Chiron?” the young man asked. “I’d heard there was one owned by Beckett Tanner but then other people claimed there was only a prototype and the pictures online were doctored.”
Beck smiled. “It was specially made.” He clapped the young man on the shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s insured.”
The man’s eyes bugged out. “Oh, sir, I’ll be so careful with it. I see a lot of nice cars, but nothing like…” He trailed off and his jaw went slack. “YouareBeckett Tanner.”
Beck nodded and stuck out his hand. “Nice to meet you…”
“Michael Young,” the young man said, obviously in awe and slightly agitated as he shifted his weight quickly from foot to foot.
“Michael,” Beck repeated.
Eve noticed as Beck pulled his hand back he had left money in the guy’s hand. She loved watching the interaction but snuck a glance for anyone taking pictures.
“Thank you, sir, it’s truly an honor.” The kid seemed so awestruck, Eve had to hide a smile. The maître d’ was waiting for them to escort them inside and they both gave Michael a quick wave.
They walked into the restaurant and were taken immediately to a private corner table. Eve appreciated Beck’s thoughtfulness, as always for not making her be front and center with his superstar status.
Beck pulled out her chair as the maître d’ welcomed them. He introduced their waiter who was waiting with bottled water, made some menu recommendations, and took their drink orders before leaving them.
Eve glanced at Beck over the menu. “Do you ever get used to the royalty treatment?”
“It’s not about me.” He chuckled. “People really like the car.”
Eve thought he was more impressive than the car, but obviously the car must be nice from the way that kid had reacted. He’d heard about Beckett’s car? Specially made? She didn’t think even Joshua and Luke had their cars specially made and they were both billionaires. “Tell me about your car. I’m sadly behind on my fancy car knowledge.”
He smiled. “You have knowledge about things much more important than cars.”
She laughed.
“There it is. I’d walk across hot lava to earn that laugh.” His gaze became a sexy smolder that had her wishing they were completely alone, and not at all worried about if she and Beck worked without Paisley in tow. They would be just fine, more than fine. She suddenly didn’t care if she’d forgotten how to kiss. With Beck, a kiss would be incredible no matter what. She knew it.
“The car,” she reminded him when she wanted to reach across the table and kiss him.
He leaned back in his chair and started into a story about his grandfather. “My papa’s a crusty old guy but… he loves me. He has dozens of carsalmostas nice as my Bugatti.” He winked, obviously proud of his car yet she didn’t sense he put much stock in worldly objects. He’d handed the keys to that kid and said “it’s insured” as if it wouldn’t hurt him if the car got wrecked.
“At every single milestone in my life, Papa would walk me through his glistening shop full of old, restored cars and new, incredible supercars: Bugattis, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, Rolls Royce, Bentleys.”
Her eyes widened as he ticked them off.
“He teased me, tempted me, I was certain that on one of my special days he’d give me one of his prized vehicles—getting my driver’s license, as a side note after that memorable walkthrough he had an old, rusted Civic waiting out front for me. Laughed himself silly when he handed me those keys.”
Eve laughed. “Oh, my. He sounds like a character.”
“You have no idea.” He pumped his eyebrows and continued with the list, “Graduating high school, graduating college, getting my master’s degree, making my first million on my own investments,” Eve found that reassuring, if he was talking about making his first million he wouldn’t be after her money. “…being offered the contract with the Avalanche, winning the Stanley Cup,” Beck continued. His eyes grew a darker shade of blue and he trailed off for a few seconds before continuing, “It was the day of my parents’ funeral that the car that I’d researched and dreamt about for years was delivered to my driveway. My Bugatti Chiron was perfect, even down to the navy blue with silver accents—Papa must’ve tracked my search history before he had the company custom-make what was only supposed to be a prototype.” He toyed with his water glass then took a long swallow. “So now I have a one of a kind vehicle that only means something to me because it’s how Papa showed his love. I’d rather have my parents back any day than have that car.”
Eve wished she could take his pain away. She put her hand over his. “I’m so sorry, Beck.”
He nodded, what else was he supposed to do?
“Thank you for sharing that with me.”
The waiter came and took their orders, interrupting the private moment. After the waiter left, the conversation continued with more stories about Beck’s parents and grandparents. Eve shared stories too, mostly about her siblings and their growing up years. Beck’s grandfather seemed very eccentric and hard-nosed but it was obvious that Beck loved him. Eve was grateful he could share about his parents and appreciated the level of trust that must have taken for him, especially the story about the car.
Their food arrived, but Eve was captivated by Beck’s stories and their conversation. She hardly even tasted her filet mignon and veggies. They rarely had time to just talk and she enjoyed each moment of it. After dinner, he took her to the botanical gardens that were luckily quiet tonight as there wasn’t a concert or wedding. They held hands as they walked slowly through the dimly lit, lush gardens. They stopped next to a pond and sat on a bench.
Eve’s heart was beating faster as she was almost a hundred percent certain he was going to kiss her. He turned to her and gently cupped her cheek with his palm. Studying her, he slowly moved closer. Eve stared into his blue eyes. His warm cologne washed over her. The setting was perfect. This man was perfect, at least to her.