The Resilient One: A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance (7 page)

“Holy stink,” Granny Ellie exclaimed. “Did they import the fish from Alaska? Look at these prices.”

Beck smiled, not seeming the least bit embarrassed. The waiter shifted from foot to foot. “I assure you ma’am, the fish is local and fresh and it is worth every penny.”

“Is that so?” Granny glanced up at him. “You pay full price here on a regular basis?”

He cleared his throat. “Um, no, ma’am. Can I start you with something to drink?”

They all ordered water which seemed to supremely disappoint the waiter. He swept the wine menus off the table, made his recommendations for dinner, and then left.

Granny looked at Beck. “I’m sorry I suggested coming here. I asked some locals while I was out shopping and they said it was the best. We can leave or go Dutch, but I am
not
letting you pay for this dinner.”

Beck chuckled long and low. “Ellie, it is just fine, I promise.”

She leaned back and studied him like she would her poker rivals. “What do you do for work that you can travel to Hawaii, spend the day frolicking in the sun, and say that a dinner like this,” she gestured to the menu, “is no worry?”

“Granny,” Alyssa reprimanded. He was going to think they were after him for his money. Alyssa sank deeper into her chair. What would he think when he found out she had photographed him for Maryn’s scummy magazines? Forget that Beck was handsome and fabulous, this was a very bad idea.

“It’s okay.” Beck reassured Alyssa with a smile and a nod. He tilted his head to the side and focused on Granny. “I manage real estate and charitable foundations.”

Granny pursed her lips. “So you’re basically independently wealthy. I
knew
it.”

Beck shifted uncomfortably and looked at his menu.

“Do you realize, young man, that you have never told us your full name?”

Beck’s gaze lifted again. Alyssa felt bad for him and wished she knew how to call Granny off without embarrassing him more. He obviously didn’t want people to know who he was and she’d known all along because of Maryn, and Granny was going to rip it out of him whether he wanted to share or not.

“Why is that?” Granny asked. “You one of those who wants women to like him for who he is before they find out he’s wealthy? I can promise you we aren’t gold miners.”

Alyssa groaned and Beck’s true smile came out. “You know what, Ellie? I believe neither of you are after me for my money. My full name is Beckham Taylor.”

How did he believe they weren’t after him for his money? Alyssa wanted him to keep believing that because she really wasn’t, but she knew that wouldn’t be the case if he ever connected the dots that she had sold both of their souls years ago for money.

Granny’s mouth twisted. “I don’t keep up on the celebrity rags. Why are you famous?”

“I’m not famous. I had a decent career in the NHL and now I manage my family’s businesses.”

“Why didn’t you tell us your last name when we first met?”

“Some people recognize it and you’re right, I’d rather avoid those who are after me for my family money.”

Alyssa felt bad for him. Her dad had money but she’d distanced herself at eighteen and fought through life on her own, no matter how many times her dad tried to reenter her world. With Beck’s parents’ deaths, that wasn’t an option for him. She shuddered at the thought of being involved in her father’s businesses. Hopefully there was a world of difference between the underhanded deals her father made and Beck’s real estate and charitable foundations. She’d place money on it.

“So you’re rich, but you stay at a cheap bed and breakfast and drive a piece of shmack Hyundai to remain humble?”

Beck laughed. “Something like that.”

“So you’re telling me to order the market fish?”

“Order whatever you like.”

The waiter arrived with their waters and Granny did order whatever she liked. Alyssa exchanged a secret smile with Beck. She’d met few men who could deal so well with her Granny. Even though he was affluent, Beck didn’t try to flaunt it or control others because of it and from what Maryn had told her, he was managing the family business because of his family’s need of his business sense and level head. Once again, she was impressed.

Dinner passed quickly and even Granny had to admit the mahi-mahi was worth the price, which finally brought a discreet smile to their waiter’s face.

They stood to walk out and Granny declared, “I love walking by the water at night. Will you two walk with me?”

“Sure,” Beck said.

Alyssa wondered what Granny was up to, but she also loved to walk by the water at night and rarely dared to do it alone. She caught Beck’s gaze over Granny’s head and smiled. “That sounds great.”

They walked casually down to the beach, passing a huge Tongan man. Granny batted her eyelashes and called out, “Hello, Handsome.”

He grinned back at her. “Hello, Beautiful Lady.”

Granny sighed and turned to watch him go. “Makes me miss my Hubba Bubba.”

Alyssa smiled. She missed Hubba Bubba too, he was the closest thing to a grandfather she’d ever had and always had a huge smile on his face.

Beck didn’t question Granny checking out men half her age and they continued along the sand. The sun had set but a half moon reflected off the water and the light from the restaurants and businesses improved visibility. The mild weather and soothing crash of waves made it a perfect night for a walk.

Granny released Beck’s arm and came around to the other side of Alyssa. “I want to be closer to the water,” she said. She kept tugging Alyssa until their shoes were getting wet. Suddenly, she screeched and fell toward the water. Alyssa released her grip on Beck and reached for Granny to try to pull her back. Granny shifted her weight and pushed Alyssa. Alyssa stumbled into the water with a gasp.

“Help her,” Granny demanded of Beck.

Beck rushed to Alyssa’s aid, but must’ve tripped on something. He sprawled on top of Alyssa and knocked her farther into the sand and the surf. Granny edged up the beach toward the sidewalk.

Beck’s weight pressed against Alyssa for half a second and even though he was heavy, she liked being close to him.

He quickly lifted himself off of Alyssa and pulled her to her feet. A wave came in and pushed her off-balance and against his chest. His arms wrapped around her. Alyssa knew it was probably just instinct that made him hug her, but it felt wonderful and she naturally looked up into his blue eyes reflected from the half-moon.

“You okay?” he asked, his voice huskier than usual.

“Wet, but I’ll survive.”

His deep chuckle reverberated against her chest. She pressed herself closer and darn if those lips weren’t tugging at her. His arms and chest felt so strong, so comforting. It was the comfort of home and the overwhelming excitement of an amazing and handsome man being close. Had anyone’s touch felt like this? Was it just because it had been so long since she’d allowed a man close?

A wave came again. Alyssa stutter-stepped and came back to her senses. She forced her focus away from his lips and glanced up the beach for Granny.

“Where did she go?”

Granny had disappeared.

“I don’t know,” Beck said, “but I’m pretty sure she tripped me.”

Alyssa stepped out of the circle of his arms, regretting every movement that took her away from him, but grateful that he let her go. That alone told her he was different from the men who’d tried to take advantage of her. She slogged her way up the beach. Beck stayed close with his hand on her elbow. Even that small touch had her quivering.

“I think she pushed me,” Alyssa admitted. “Scheming old woman.”

“She definitely knows what she wants,” Beck said.

Alyssa swallowed, not responding to that comment. Granny obviously wanted to see the two of them together and Maryn’s plotting was adding to that. What would Granny do if she knew about Maryn’s scheme? She’d tell Alyssa to be honest, but how could she tell Beck what Maryn had asked her to do? What she’d done for her friend in the past? He obviously liked his privacy and she didn’t want to ruin the mood of the night or destroy his entire opinion of her. Even getting one of her favorite dresses wet and sandy was worth the time she’d spent in Beck’s arms.

They found Granny waiting by the car. “How was the swim?” she asked, a twinkle in her eyes.

“Refreshing,” Alyssa muttered. “Why did you leave?”

“I didn’t want to interrupt anything.”

Alyssa blushed. She glanced at Beck, who smiled, shook his head, and hurried to open the door for Granny.

“Nothing to interrupt,” Alyssa said.

“Dang, girl,” Granny shook her head in disappointment. “Have I taught you nothing about capitalizing on opportunities?”

Beck laughed and then coughed. He helped Granny into the car then opened the door for Alyssa.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“The only thing you should be sorry about is the missed opportunity.” He winked and helped her into the car.

Alyssa tingled from his look and his wink.

Alyssa didn’t see Beck the next morning at breakfast. It was odd that she missed him. They’d only met two days ago yet she already looked for him and wanted to hear what he would say about Granny’s antics or feel the tingly sensation of his touch.

She and Granny spent the morning shopping in the little boutique stores in Lahaina. Granny hit it off with the employees at Maui Built. They looked a little rough around the edges, but Granny had them all laughing and promising to say their prayers before she and Alyssa made their purchases.

After a light lunch at Cool Cat Café, Alyssa changed into a pale blue suit with a short-sleeved jacket and knee-length skirt for her showing that afternoon. She usually loved meeting fans and talking to people about her photography, but knowing that Beck’s itinerary said he was planning to come to the gallery had her tied in knots. Maybe Maryn was wrong and he wouldn’t really show up. He hadn’t stayed at the Marriott like Maryn thought he would so maybe his agenda regarding A.A. had changed also.

Alyssa wanted to see him again, but she didn’t want him to think she’d been trying to hide anything, even though she was. Aargh. This was a mess. They’d had a great time yesterday, but really hadn’t gotten into careers with the exception of Granny pinning Beck down about what he did. Should she have told him who she was? Should she have spilled the whole story of Maryn knowing so much about him and asking Alyssa to get a date? She didn’t want to know if he would be more disappointed or angry when he found out because even though she had a hard time trusting men in general there was something about Beck. He was the stuff of her innocent self’s daydreams. Those dreams had been shattered, but there were still pieces of her who wanted a man like Beck to come to her rescue.

She rapped on Granny’s door then swung it open to find her lying on the bed. “I’m off to the gallery. Do you want to come?”

“That’s a long time to sit and you wore me out shopping. Do you mind if I rest then we’ll do something fun tonight?”

“No, that sounds great.” Alyssa chewed on her cheek, forgetting her own worries as she stewed over whether Granny was simply tired or if something more serious was going on. Granny had never missed an opportunity to see Alyssa shine before and her showings were few and far between. No, she was overanalyzing. Granny had been to plenty of her art shows and she had every right to be worn out. Older people just tired more easily. Yet there was a frailty to Granny that Alyssa hadn’t seen since her bout with cancer years ago.
Please don’t let her get cancer again
, Alyssa prayed.

“Have fun, love.”

Alyssa blew her a kiss and shut the door, saddened by how fragile and tired she looked. Granny Ellie had always been so vibrant and such a huge part of her life. Since Alyssa had shut herself out of her parents’ messed-up relationship years ago, Granny was the only family she had. But love and her granddaughter’s fear of loneliness couldn’t stop the aging process. It broke Alyssa’s heart.

She arrived at the gallery early and enjoyed meeting the owners, a fun Hawaiian couple who introduced themselves as Mama Rue and Pa. They had a huge display of her photography. She traced a finger down the photo of her friend, Nikki. She’d taken some photographs of Nikki and her new husband at the wedding in September. Alyssa was thrilled for her friend’s happiness—nobody deserved it more than Nikki, but sometimes the jealousy clenched her insides. As a teenager she used to dream of a husband and beautiful children of her own. Two days ago she would’ve thought that was an impossible dream, but Beck was breaking down her barriers.

Pa offered her a chair and a bottle of water. Before long she was on her feet answering questions for fans, who’d come specifically to meet her and rave about how much they loved her work, and tourists, who had no clue who she was or why her photography was so expensive. She explained quite a few times that all of her pieces were originals, and she never made prints which increased value and resale. It wasn’t unheard of for her photographs to be resold online for many times their original cost. Also, a good portion of the proceeds were donated to orphanages throughout the world. Some of the tourists got excited about her vision and the beautiful pictures and bought their own autographed one. Her loyal fans bought up numerous photographs. She was grateful the gallery had extras on hand. She didn’t put any personal information on her website so her fans were always excited to meet her.