"What are you reading over there?" Charles asks. It's been a few hours since we took off. Charles apparently doesn't care that I'm his sister's enemy and has been talking to me for most of the flight. I think it's because he has an interest in me, but I might be wrong.

"A romance novel," I reply, switching off my phone screen and turning to face him.

"You're a romance fan?"

"Yes, I am."

"So, you must be waiting for your prince charming to rescue you then?"

"No, I'm not."

"But you're a romance fan?"

"Yes."

"I'm confused," he chuckles.

I laugh before speaking. "I love romance novels, but not the typical kind you might be familiar with."

"Hmm, let me guess, you're into dark romance," Charles says, smirking.

"Yes, I am." I smile. "How did you know?"

"Once you said it's not the typical type of romance, dark romance was the next thing that came to my head. So, tell me your favorite book and why it's your favorite."

"I don't have just one favorite. I love too many."

"What if you had to choose? Which would you pick?"

"Hmm, let me think." While pondering which of the many books I've read is the best, I feel someone's eyes on me. I turn and find Beau staring. He doesn't look away even though I've caught him watching me. Hannah is talking to him, but he doesn't seem to be listening; his full attention is on me. Why is he so focused on me? I haven't gotten a chance to talk to him since Hannah hasn't left his side during the flight. There is so much I want to say to him.

"Lilah?" Charles calls, bringing me back to earth.

"Yes?"

"I asked you a question."

"Oh yes, you did." I give him a brief smile. "If I had to choose a favorite book, I would have to say—"

"The Hangmen series by Tillie Cole," Beau says before I can.

I turn to face him with my eyes wide and my mouth hanging open. I can't believe he just said that. "How did you know?"

There is no way Jenny told Beau that in his memory lessons. She doesn't know what I like to read. How does he know my current favorite series? Could his memories be coming back? That's not possible; he wouldn't be marrying Hannah if they were. I'm so confused, but I feel there's definitely something going on. Beau either already has his memories back, or he's just starting to recover them.

Once I realize he's not going to answer my question, I turn back to face Charles, but through my peripheral vision I catch Beau pulling his hand into a tight fist and banging the armrest. Hannah even jolts in her seat. Why is he acting like he's angry? Ignoring him, I go back to my conversation with Charles. I try to focus on what we're talking about, but it's hard with so much on my mind. I have too many unanswered questions, and the only damn person who can answer them won't even speak to me.

***

The following morning, I take the elevator to the ground floor and join Harvey and Tamara for breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. The rest of the flight passed uneventfully, with no more outbursts from Beau, and we arrived in Louisiana last night.

"Good morning," I say, taking a seat once I get to their table.

"Morning, Lilah," Harvey says, taking a sip of coffee.

Tamara glances up, taking a bite of toast. "How was your night?"

"Good, yours?" I ask, waving a waiter over so I can give him my order.

"Amazing." Harvey answers for her, lust in his eyes.

I laugh. "You don't need to tell me you got laid last night."

"Sorry," Tamara says chuckling and staring at Harvey with the same look on her face.

I roll my eyes at them and take a sip of the coffee the waiter just brought.

"So Harvey, I wanted to ask, do you know exactly what Beau was told about me?" I'm curious, because I want to know exactly what Jenny could have told him to make him behave the way he did the first time I saw him after his kidnapping.

"I do," Harvey answers. "Aunt Jenny told him you're a gold digger who seduced him and tricked him into investing in your company. You almost got him to marry you, but then after his accident, which was actually the kidnapping, you left him because you thought he was going to die."

"Oh my God! I can't believe she told him that." Now, I understand why he behaved the way he did the day he came to the office. His comments about what happened at the hospital also make sense.

"I know. My mom, Nana, and I all tried to tell him she was lying once we found out, but it didn't change anything. He doesn't remember, so it's useless for us to tell him the truth. We're telling him he loves you, but he doesn't remember feeling that way for you."

"Yeah," I sigh. "Just telling him won't do the trick." I already knew that, but hearing it confirmed makes me sad.

"No, it won't," Harvey agrees. "But don't worry, once Beau recovers his memory, everything will be fine."

"Yeah." I take another sip of coffee. "I also wanted to ask, did you find out why Beau is marrying Hannah?"

Harvey shakes his head. "No, but I believe Aunt Jenny is using something to make him agree to marry Hannah."

"Hmm, I wonder what." Maybe I'll be able to figure it out eventually.

***

Later in the day, around noon, I'm getting ready for a brunch being held by one of the Williams family's acquaintances. I wasn't invited, of course, so I'm going as Harvey's plus one.

I choose to wear a white floral midi-dress with a green print flower design. After putting on my gold jewelry set and black heels, I step out of my room to meet Harvey so we can be on our way.

Once we arrive, I go inside the ballroom alone as Harvey answers a business call outside.

I feel someone's eyes burning a hole in the back of my head. Turning around, I find Beau staring at me. He looks at me from head to toe, taking in everything. A shiver goes down my spine as his eyes roam my body. His gaze is so intense that I'm second-guessing the dress I'm wearing.

Swallowing hard, I take my eyes away from his and look around the room. Almost all the seats are occupied. The only available one is next to Charles. The Clarks are also acquaintances with the host, but Hannah isn't here. Apparently, Nana asked Hannah to spend the day with her. It's her way of helping by making sure Hannah wouldn't be here to ruin things.

I begin to walk toward Charles and the empty seat at the other end of the room. On my way, a server almost bumps into me, but someone grabs me and pushes me out of the way. I turn to thank the person who saved me, and to my surprise, it's Beau. His hands hold my arms in a firm grip, and my side is pressed into his warm body. My eyes lock with his beautiful gray gaze, and I find myself getting lost in it.

But the warmth in his stare goes cold the split second he speaks. "Watch where you're going." He lets go of my arms and steps back, creating space between us. I immediately miss the warmth of his body.

"Thank you," I mutter and turn away from him to continue walking toward Charles. But I don't even take one step before Beau grabs my hand. He drags me over to his table and sits me down in a now-empty chair right beside his.

I look at him, confused, wondering where the person sitting here disappeared to or why he brought me to his table. Beau doesn't say anything and just takes his seat. He fills his plate with food and begins to eat like he isn't doing anything out of the ordinary.

Why did he want me to sit beside him? I think about asking him but decide not to, knowing he won't answer the question, just like on the plane. His actions make me think I might be right about what I had thought last night.

I had pondered the idea that Beau might be recovering some of his memories, but they're in pieces, and that's how he knew my favorite book series. If I'm right, then it could explain why he wants me to sit beside him.

Charles and I really connected on the plane yesterday, and the old Beau wouldn't have liked that. Maybe that's why he wants me to sit with him instead of beside Charles.

I hope I'm right because that would mean the chances of his memories returning are high. I'll just need to do something to put all the pieces together for him. Hopefully, I can figure out how to do that soon. Before it's too late.