Free The Perfect Mix (Keller Weddings Book 1) by Kenna Avery Wood Page A

I think…I want to go home.”
    Poppy glanced at Jake, who’d joined their group just as Tom left. “Of course. I mean, if you’re sure–”
    “You don’t have to leave,” Anna said, forcing a smile. “I want you to say and have fun. I can walk.”
    “No, you can’t.”
    “I’ll take you,” Beckett said. “My car’s out back.”
    Anna hugged Poppy and assured her she’d be fine.
    “I’ll bring home some leftover pizza,” Poppy said when she pulled back. Concern still lingered in her eyes. “Maybe I should just go with you–”
    “No way. You were looking forward to this all week. Enjoy it.”
    With Beckett’s hand still firm on her back, they walked to the door and out into the warm air.
    “You really don’t have to take me. You can stay and eat–”
    “Anna.” Beckett closed his fingers around hers, glancing over in the dim light of the evening. “I want to.”
    When they got inside the car, Anna squeezed her hands together in her lap, wishing they could get back that earlier moment when they were playing pool and Tom hadn’t shown up. Wishing he’d distract her with something–anything. A kiss. A sign. She didn’t want to think about Tom. She’d already taken up too much time on him.
    “I’m sorry for tonight.”
    “Why?” A muscle worked in Beckett’s jaw. “Because Tom showed up? He never should have come. You don’t have to go through with this, you know. He can get married somewhere else. Somewhere far, far away.”
    Anna actually smiled at that, surprised to find Beckett nearly as angry as her. “No, he’s moving on with his life and I should move on with mine. This will prove to everyone, especially me, that I’m over Tom.”
    Beckett’s fingers clenched on the wheel. She couldn’t read the expression there, and she was too tired to try. They rode to her house in silence.
    Beckett got out before she could stop him, and walked her up the stairs to her apartment. “Think about it before you make a decision,” he said. “Tom can have his wedding somewhere else.”
    She opened the door, but stopped on the precipice. “You think that’s what I should do?”
    “I think you should do what’s best for you. You don’t need extra stress.”
    There was so much compassion in his eyes, she reached up to touch his cheek. “It’s nice of you to say that.”
    He set his hand over hers. “I mean it. Let me know if you need anything.”
    She nodded and said goodnight. Too bad she’d ruined his evening, too, but she’d been so caught off guard by seeing Tom, she hadn’t known what else to do.
    Anna carried her laptop into her bedroom and changed into comfortable pajamas while it booted up. When she sat down, she read through Celeste’s email again. She talked some about her job, her apartment and the culture there, ending with an offer for Anna to come stay with her for a while.
    Too tired to do much more, Anna typed in a brief note. I’m thinking about it .
    Then she sighed. She’d prepared a long email in her head, but now all she wanted was to relax and get her mind off of Tom. She did a search on France and scrolled through pictures and articles while she imagined what it would be like to live somewhere else. Like Beckett said, Somewhere far, far away.

Chapter Seven
     
     
    The rain poured down over Park Creek the following day, coating Main Street and no doubt making Jillian a nervous wreck because they were supposed to have a wedding and reception at his barn in three hours.
    She’d sent him into town to help Anna. A good excuse to see her, but he was about through with Jillian and Poppy meddling in his love life. Every time he saw Anna with a new story of how Jillian had sent him, he felt another flicker of guilt.
    Like he was keeping a secret from her.
    He pulled the hood of his raincoat over his head when he jogged from his car to the back door of Keller Bakery. When he shoved open the door, a rush of rain followed him inside.
    Anna whipped around, a piping bag