The Perfect Mix (Keller Weddings Book 1) Read Free

more energy, I’d get it out of you.” She rubbed her eyes. “I’m tired, I know it. But it doesn’t make me feel better that you keep staring at me like you and everyone else knows it, too.”
    He started to apologize, but Jillian walked in, going straight for the cake. She examined it and nodded. “Looks good.”
    Poppy followed but instead of looking at the cake, she looked at Anna. “Hey. How are you doing?”
    Anna’s lips turned down in a frown and he could see by her face she was biting back half a dozen curses. “I’m fine. And I’m going to change.”
    She vanished from the room. Poppy winced. “I guess she doesn’t want to talk about it.”
    “She does,” Beckett said. “She just doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her, and asking her how she’s doing like she can’t handle it makes her feel like we don’t think she can.”
    Poppy and Jillian both stared at him.
    “What?” he asked.
    Jillian smiled. “Nothing. You know Anna as well as we do and that’s exactly what’s going on. Talk to her, Beckett.”
    “Do something ,” Poppy said.
    “No time,” he answered, checking his watch.
    “Fine.” Jillian turned. “I’ll make you dance with her later. I have to get to the church. Mom will be by soon and the caterers are going to start setting up their tables and the food.”
    Poppy touched his arm. “No pressure, but I think you should tell her how you feel.”
    He sighed. “I really don’t think today’s the best day.”
    “Not today. Tomorrow.”
    “Thanks, Poppy,” he said wryly. “That’s very helpful.”
    “I’ll get the flowers for the cake.”
    Once she and Jillian were gone, he propped his hip against the counter and shook his head. He knew they meant well, but it wasn’t that simple. Anna was going through a rough time right now. He didn’t need to complicate it by telling her how he felt. And what if she didn’t feel the same way?
    No sense in screwing over their friendship, too.
    Anna returned to the kitchen in a fitted green dress that stopped just above her knees. His throat dried. Her eyes stood out even more now, making him want to lose himself in her gaze.
    He could ask her on a date. He could tell her to save a dance for him, even. Anything. But instead, he just stood there without words.
    “Poppy left?” Anna frowned and turned around. “Could you get this zipper? It’s stuck right at the top there.”
    She bent her head and his fingers fumbled for the zipper. He couldn’t help but sweep his gaze over the gentle line of her shoulders. Her soft hair twisted into a loose bun at the nape of her neck.
    He opened his mouth and said the first thing that came to mind. “Not all guys are like Tom, you know.”
    She froze as he tugged the zipper the rest of the way up.
    “I know it’s none of my business,” Beckett continued.
    “No, you’re right.” Anna turned, and when she lifted her eyes to his, he saw moisture at the corners and it nearly broke his heart. “Not everyone is like Tom. You’re not.”
    “No, I’m not.” He wouldn’t ever cheat on Anna like Tom had.
    To his surprise, she smiled. And then said the last words he wanted to hear. “You’re a good friend, Beckett.” She walked back to the other room. “I’m going to finish getting ready.”
    When she disappeared, he released a breath of ironic laughter. Of course. A friend. That’s how she saw him.
    Well, Beckett thought, trying to boost his resolve, he was just going to have to get her to see him as more than a friend.
    And he had a plan.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    The next day, Beckett brought his coffee with him into town. The Keller’s storefronts lined half of Main Street, with the flower shop on the end where Poppy worked. Next to hers was the main office, the largest space, where Jillian and her mother ran the whole operation. On the other side of the main office was the bakery. Anna was probably in there right now, her honey blonde hair pulled into a colorful bandana and