Page 108 of Meet Cute or Your Money Back

“Four!” Duke calls and we both startle, wondering how long he’s been back at the table, oversized cookie in hand and chocolate smeared across his face. “Don’t forget aboutBiscuit!” he says, pointing down at the carrying case on the floor at my feet. “He’s part of this family too!”

Biscuit gives a little bark to let it be known that he concurs with Duke.

As Duke’s words sink in, a warmth spreads through my chest, melting away any lingering doubts. With a laugh, I reach down to unzip the carrier and Biscuit emerges, tail wagging furiously, his excitement infectious.

“Oh my gosh,” I say, “how could I forget you, Biscuit?” I chuckle, scooping him up into my arms. His little licks of joy against my cheek make my heart swell.

“Family of four?” Thatcher asks with an exaggerated look of contemplation on his face. “Not sure about that. I signed up for Allie…” He gives Duke a wink. “What do you think?”

Duke grins with cookie crumbs in his teeth as he slides back into the seat beside me. “I think yes! Four is better than three!”

“There you have it,” I say to Thatcher through a smile so big it almost hurts my cheeks. “You can’t argue with math.”

Duke swings his feet happily against the chair, entirely unconcerned with anything other than the cookie in front of him. “And five is even better than four,” Duke says. “We could get another dog. A sister for Biscuit!”

“We could name her Pancake!” I giggle.

Thatcher groans. “Oh boy. One thing at a time, please. Let me see the little rascal who saved my life,” Thatcher says.

I hand Biscuit to him and his tail is a blur, wagging back and forth as Thatcher hugs my dog into him. “Never saw myself as a little dog kinda guy. But you’re all right, Biscuit. The real hero of our story, aren’t you?”

Thatcher and I share a look, that statement all too true.Without Biscuit’s heroism, I don’t know whether either of us would still be here.

Biscuit gives a confirming yip and the noise draws confused looks from the other patrons. I clamp a hand over my mouth to keep from bursting out laughing. Thatcher shakes his head, amusement written all over his face as he looks at me. “Ma’am,” Thatcher says sarcastically. “I don’t think you’re allowed to have your dog out in a restaurant!”

I kick him gently under the table. “Biscuit’s not a dog…he’s family. As we’ve established. Right, Duke?”

“Right!” Duke hops to his feet, marching circles around our table.

“I think we’re getting some odd looks,” Thatcher says. “They probably think we’re crazy.”

“Crazy in love,” I say, giving him my best cheesy grin.

Thatcher groans playfully, pretending to be wounded. “Did you just quote Beyoncé? Oh no. Duke…what have we gotten ourselves into?”

I laugh so hard I almost choke on air. “You haven’t even heard the half of it yet!” I say. “There’s so much more where that came from. Wait until you hear me singing Taylor Swift in the shower.”

I expect him to tease me more. Roll his eyes and groan dramatically. But instead, he pulls me in close, his green eyes dancing like they’ve captured every bit of light from the room and brought it straight to me. “Then I guess I’m going to have to study up and learn some harmonies, huh?”

And then he kisses me again, there in the middle of the coffee shop, where anyone can see how deliriously happy we are together.

A contented sigh escapes against his lips again, floating away like awhisper.

“Ew!” Duke shrieks again, falling dramatically over his chair. “Are you gonna do that forever?”

“Pretty much, kiddo,” Thatcher says.

“So you’d better get used to it!” I lean over to tickle him.

Duke doesn’t miss a beat. He springs to his feet and takes off, running around the café, yelling at the top of his lungs. “We’re gonna be a family! They’re gonna kiss forever!”

He runs from one end of the shop to the other, telling anyone who will listen.

“Welp… if they weren’t looking before, they’re definitely looking now,” I whisper. I can’t blame them. Between Duke and Biscuit and me and Thatcher, we’re making quite the scene.

Thatcher grins at me. “Are you sure you can handle all this?”

“Handle it?” I pull him in for another kiss. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

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