82 A Child’s Yachtside Revelation
“Some of us take our responsibilities seriously,” Damien replied dryly.
“At the park, right?” Lucas pressed. “Anything else interesting happen?”
“Sensitive teeth,” Beck found himself explaining unnecessarily. “Common issue.”
The evening breeze carried the gentle rocking motion of “The Golden Opportunity” as it remained anchored in the bay. Soft jazz music drifted across the deck, blending with the murmur of conversation from the various groups of business elites scattered around Lucas Sterling’s yacht.
Beck closed his eyes briefly, wishing the deck would open up and swallow him whole. When he opened them, Lucas was barely containing his delight at this revelation, while Damien watched with unexpected intensity.
There was something in Lucas’s tone that made Beck glance at him sharply. “Why do you ask?”
“Thirty–four,” Coco corrected, stepping forward with a proper poise that seemed at odds with her young age. “And Dad promised me one from his next business trip too.”
“They insisted on showing you their desserts,” Vivienne explained, her scarlet lips curved into a practiced smile. “Something about sprinkles being special.”
His silence was confirmation enough.
The conversation shifted to safer topics–market trends, upcoming deals, and the latest industry gossip. Yet Beck couldn’t shake the feeling that Damien was studying him more intently than usual, those perceptive gray eyes missing nothing.
“A chance meeting? With someone who spent the entire day with you two? Swan boats, duck feeding, lunch–sounds like quite the spontaneous day.”
The casual comment sent a sudden tension through the adults. Beck felt his spine stiffen.
Lucas rolled his eyes. “Speaking of responsibilities, Beck, what exactly had you so occupied today that you almost missed this?”
Shanice nodded enthusiastically. “Coco showed me her collection of keychains! She
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has over thirty!”
Lucas shrugged innocently, but the glint in his eye suggested he knew something. Before he could respond, a server approached with a tray of appetizers, providing Beck a momentary reprieve from Lucas’s questioning.
“No way,” Lucas countered gleefully. “This is the most interesting thing that’s happened all night. Tell us more about this mysterious butterfly enthusiast.”
It wasn’t a question but a statement of fact, delivered with such certainty that Beck froze. He opened his mouth to deny it, then closed it again, knowing any protest would ring false.
“Don’t tell me you two are discussing work again,” Lucas groaned, leaning against the railing. “This is supposed to be a party.”
“Just someone we met at the park,” Beck replied dismissively, though he avoided direct eye contact with any of them.
Beck maintained his composure, though inwardly he cursed Shanice’s perfect recall and timing. The group’s collective attention shifted to him with laser focus.
Shanice nodded and rejoined Coco, who was showing the other children something on her child–sized tablet. The moment they were out of earshot, Lucas pounced.
“Like the butterfly keychain Uncle Beck bought today?” Shanice asked innocently, taking another lick of her ice cream.
“Ms. Elara?” Lucas repeated, a slow grih spreading across his face. “Who might that be,
Beck?”
Beck shrugged. “Had other plans initially.”
“Butterfly keychain?” Lucas echoed, his interest visibly piqued.
“I believe I’ve met her before,” Vivienne interjected smoothly, her gaze calculating. “Elara… not a common name. Was she tall, slender, with dark hair?” Her question seemed casual, but there was something pointed in her tone.
“I should check on Shanice,” Beck said, setting down his empty glass.
Beck’s gaze remained fixed on the horizon. “Just spending time with Shanice.”
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“You’re unusually quiet tonight,” Damien observed, his voice low enough that only Beck could hear. “Lucas mentioned you were reluctant to join us.”
Shanice, oblivious to the undercurrents, continued cheerfully. “She helped me fly my kite! And we went on the swan boats and fed ducks and had lunch and she knows ALL about butterflies!” She paused only to take another lick of her rapidly melting ice cream. “She was really pretty and nice. Uncle Beck kept staring at her when she wasn’t looking.”
“With your niece.” Damien nodded. “Coco seems quite taken with her. She rarely warms up to other children so quickly.”
“The children are fine,” Damien assured him. “Vivienne is supervising them. She arranged for dessert to be served in the children’s area.”
Vivienne’s perfect smile had dimmed slightly, though she quickly recovered. “How lovely,” she murmured, her tone carefully neutral. “Another ice cream enthusiast, I presume?”
Beck found himself standing at the stern, swirling the red wine Damien had offered him earlier. The two men had discussed business briefly before falling into a comfortable silence, both watching the sunset paint vibrant oranges and pinks across
the water.
“Common issue,” Lucas echoed mockingly. “So tell us about this Ms. Elara with the sensitive teeth who knows all about butterflies.”
Beck felt trapped. Any confirmation would lead to more questions, while denial would be transparent given Shanice’s detailed account.
“It was just a chance meeting at the park,” Beck insisted, standing up and guiding Shanice toward the other children. “Why don’t you go finish your ice cream with Coco before it melts completely?”
As if summoned by his words, the sound of children’s laughter floated up from below deck. Moments later, Vivienne emerged with Coco, Shanice, and two other children in tow, all holding ice cream cones.
Lucas’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “No way, it’s true?” He leaned forward eagerly. “Who is she? Do we know her? Why haven’t you brought her to meet us yet?”
Shanice immediately bounded over to Beck, ice cream already dripping down her
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fingers. “Uncle Beck! Look at mine! It has rainbow sprinkles AND chocolate ones!”
“I’ll bring you back something special,” Damien confirmed, his expression softening slightly as he looked at his daughter.
Shanice nodded enthusiastically. “From the park! Uncle Beck got one for me and one for Ms. Elara because butterflies were her favorite when she was little like me!”
Beck crouched to her level, wiping a smudge of vanilla from her cheek. “Very impressive. Are you having fun?”
Before Beck could respond, Lucas approached, carrying a fresh drink. His eyes darted between them with undisguised curiosity.
“I’m more interested in why you’re avoiding the topic,” Damien said quietly, his eyes fixed on Beck with unnerving perception. “You’re interested in her.”
Shanice shook her head. “Ms. Elara only had water at lunch. She said ice cream makes her teeth hurt.”
Beck met his friend’s gaze steadily. “Drop it, Lucas.”
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