Page 28 of One Pucking Heart

“Okay.” I smile and hurry back to the kitchen.

Pausing momentarily, I scrutinize my current feelings. Receiving a smile from Beckett and simple praise over pancakes shouldn’t make me feel this good. Deep within the recesses of my mind, warning bells go off. But I don’t have time to analyze it all right now because I have to make more pancakes.

* * *

“We don’t have to do this.” Beckett reaches over the center console of his car and places his hand on my bouncing knee.

“No, we do.” I sigh. “You told all your people last night. It’s my turn.”

After a couple of plates of pancakes and a little rest, Beckett’s spirits lifted. Driving to Lansing today to have dinner with Ari had always been the plan, but when Beckett woke up feeling like death, I thought it’d be best to skip it. Maybe Marcella’s miracle hangover food wasn’t the best idea after all.

Beckett presses the button to turn off the car, unbuckles his seat belt, and turns to face me. “We could do the whole marriage thing without telling her? After your dad passes, we’ll get the marriage annulled, and she’ll never know.”

I pull in a long breath, steadying my nerves. “No, as you said, he’ll know. He probably has our phones monitored, and if she has no idea that her mom is married, it will set off his suspicions.”

“I know I said that, but can people really monitor phones like that? I mean, I’ve only seen it done in movies. Who knows if that’s even possible in real life.”

I appreciate him giving me an out, but it’s not worth the risk. “If it’s possible, my father will find a way. We’re not going through everything to mess it up, you know? If we’re doing it, we have to be all in, like you said.”

“Alright. Then let’s do this.”

We exit the vehicle, and Beckett meets me in front of the car. He extends his hand, and I allow him to take mine in his. His fingers entwine through mine, and we make our way into the Mexican restaurant. The public displays of affection are all for show, in case we’re being watched. Yet I can’t deny I’m starting to rely on the comfort they bring.

The interior of the place is vibrant and colorful. Lively mariachi music plays through the speakers, and I’m hoping the vibe will make the news we’re about to deliver seem less heavy.

Ari sits in a booth, chomping on chips and salsa. Her eyes light up when she sees me, and she raises her hand to wave, a wide smile on her face. The moment she notices the person next to me and our connected hands, hers drop to the table, and her smile falls. She narrows her eyes to me in question.

When we reach the table, I release Beckett’s hand and lean over to give Ari a kiss. “Hello, my love. Have you been waiting long?”

She shakes her head. “No, we’re not doing pleasantries. We’re skipping straight to the details. What is going on? Are you two dating?”

I can’t tell by her tone whether she thinks the hand holding is a positive thing or the opposite.

Sliding into the booth across the table from her, I state, “We are.”

Beckett sits next to me. “Hi. We’ve met, briefly. I’m Beckett.”

“Yeah, I know who you are,” Ari addresses Beckett and turns her stare to me. “I thought you hated the guy? Now you’re dating? What did I miss?”

My eyes dart to Beckett, and thankfully, he’s suppressing a smile and not a frown. “I never said I hated him. Our start was, I don’t know, a little rocky. We’re very different, but we’ve had a lot of time together this summer, and he’s grown on me.”

“Yeah, I see that.” She shakes her head. “I mean, good for you, Ma. You haven’t dated a guy in…well, ever. You deserve to be happy. I just can’t believe you didn’t tell me. No call or anything.”

“That’s why we’re here. We wanted to tell you in person,” I reassure her.

“Okay, well, awesome, you little cougar you,” Ari says, causing Beckett to laugh.

I furrow my brows, leaning in. “I am not a cougar,” I whisper.

“Last time we were together, you told me you could be his mother.”

I gasp. “Ari. It’s okay not to repeat everything I’ve ever said. Some things are meant to stay between us.” I shoot her a warning glare.

“I’m sorry. That was bratty. This is all new for me. Not only have I never seen you date but I’ve never been on the outs. I’m your only friend. You tell me everything… usually.” She looks at Beckett, her eyes holding an air of suspicion.

He doesn’t miss a beat. “Well, now she has two friends.”

“I have more than two friends.”

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