Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon Book #2)(100)

“Move it along, kid,” Beckett grumbled.

Evan grinned. “But he made them with what he thought was our best interests at heart. When my dad makes decisions, he makes them because it’s what he wants, not because it’s for the best for everyone. So even though Beckett was wrong, his heart was in the right place.”

Evan shuffled his cards again. “Okay, now we get to the part where Gia was wrong.”

Gia straightened in her chair.

“See, Gia got really used to being in charge. Even when she was married to my dad, she did everything for us and he didn’t want a say in it. Beckett wanted a say, and Gia didn’t know how to handle that. For instance, she’s probably really mad right now and feeling like we’re trying to tell her what to do. But that’s not true,” Evan said.

He looked directly at her. “We’re just trying to help you make a decision that works for all of us. Please don’t ground me. Thank you for your time.”

The applause was thunderous and Evan waved again while he took a seat next to Beckett. They solemnly high-fived and Gia knew she was screwed.

Bruce was back at the podium again. “At this time we’d like to open up the floor to comments.”

“Oh my God,” Gia whispered.

Willa from Blue Moon Boots was the first to stand. “I’d just like to say that I’ve seen the way these two look at each other and they’re a strong, solid match. Family and community are so important to them both that if they can work things out, we’ll all benefit.” She curtsied to the warm applause and took her seat.

Donovan Cardona stood up next, his uniform shirt stretched tight across his broad chest. “I’d like to throw my two cents in as a fellow town leader. I haven’t yet been called to Beckett’s house to settle any kind of dispute between him and Gia. So, in my book, that’s a huge improvement.”

People around him nodded in agreement.

It went on like that with townspeople debating their relationship for another fifteen minutes until Mrs. McCafferty of McCafferty Farm Supply stood up. “What I want to know is what kind of guarantee is this girl going to have that Beckett isn’t going to pull the rug out from under her again?”

Joey applauded with the rest of Team Gia.

Carter stood up. “Miz McCafferty, I give you my word that if my brother tries to do something else stupid like that again, I’ll beat some sense into him.”

Gia was suddenly suspicious that that’s how the brothers had gotten their bruises in the first place. Mrs. McCafferty frowned thoughtfully. “I think that’s a fair solution,” she nodded and took her seat again.

Julia, her pink tipped hair pulled back in a perky ponytail stood up. She had a chubby infant on her hip. “How do we know that Beckett really cares about not just Gia but you and your sister?”

Evan climbed back onto the crate at the microphone. “I’m glad you asked. I’d like to submit as evidence a few pictures that prove that Beckett likes us a lot.”

He pointed back at the control booth and the house lights dimmed a little as the heavy velvet curtains parted to reveal the screen.

The first picture showed Beckett, Evan, and Aurora mugging for a selfie in Beckett’s kitchen. The next was Aurora carefully swiping bronzer over Beckett’s made up face as he sucked in his cheeks. The crowd laughed loud and long for that one.

Next up was a grinning Evan raking in the poker chips during a card game while Beckett sat back next to him looking proud. Jax was pointing a threatening finger in Evan’s face while Franklin laughed.

“I want my money back,” Jax yelled at the stage.

Summer’s friend Niko had taken the last picture. Gia and Aurora were in Beckett’s arms on the dance floor at the wedding. Niko had captured a very raw, intimate moment and the feelings translated clearly through the lens. A chorus of “awhs” rose up.

“I respectfully withdraw my question,” Julia said, winking at Evan.

Bruce returned to the podium. “I think we’ve got just enough time for one more statement before we put it to a vote. Who’s it going to be?”

“Do you love her?”

The question came from the back of the theater. Gia, along with the rest of the crowd craned her neck to see who it was.

Ellery grinned from the front row of the balcony.

“That’s a valid question,” Bruce announced. “Mr. Mayor?”

Beckett returned to the microphone and looked directly at Gia. “More than anything in this world. My heart is yours. I love you so very much, Gianna. Please forgive me.”

The women in the crowd sighed as one.

Bruce elbowed his way back to the microphone. Beckett sat back down and Gia watched as Evan gave him a hearty thump on the shoulder. And her decision was made.

“Okay folks, let’s put this issue to a vote. Those in favor of Gianna Decker giving Beckett Pierce a second chance, raise your hands and hold them up so we can tally them.”

She could hear the arms going up like a flock of birds taking flight. Evan and Beckett raised their hands on stage.

Bruce and the rest of the council members appeared to be attempting to actually count the votes.

“Well, it would appear that the vote is almost completely unanimous,” he said, looking pointedly at Gia.

“Oh, what the hell?” Gia muttered and raised her hand.