Page 168 of Will Bark for Pizza
“We actually havecurrentbooks!”
I was still amazed Mom’s bookstore survived as long as it did, with how poorly Margene Miller ran the place. It was a miracle it was still here to save.
And save it, we would.
There was no other option.
I pulled my phone from my pocket to shoot Lila a quick text about the release date for Mateo’s book—I had finally picked one. But before I could, another text caught my attention.
Beckett: Husker can have frosting, right?
Attached was a photo of my dog, wedged between the two front seats of his truck, a smear of blue frosting across his muzzle as he looked straight out the window. He looked very much like he did on a paddleboard. Alert, like he was the captain of a ship, even if he was currently in the back seat. Only half of Beckett’s face was in the photo, but it was enough to reveal that panty-melting smile he wielded so effortlessly.
Kira: Somefrosting is fine.
Kira: Too much, and you’ll get to see a whole new side of him.
Beckett: Got it.
Beckett: Did the books arrive?
Kira: Yes! I’m so relieved!
Beckett: Maybe we should celebrate
A tingle of warmth shot right to my core. With that innocent smiley face, Beckett might simply mean celebrating with sweet treats. But who said frosting couldn’t be applied . . . other places? A rush of heat hit me as I imagined Beckett licking blue frosting from my nipple.
Before I could test those waters and text him something naughtier about said frosting, another text came through.
Unknown: U moved kare bear?
A knot tangled in my stomach the instant it appeared. My hands started to shake, but I willed them to still. I wouldnotlet Travis ruin this day for me. I would never let him ruin another day for me, ever again.
I blocked the number and deleted the text.
“Kira?” Grandma Connie called. “We’re ready to start filling the shelves.”
I slipped the phone back into my pocket, refusing to give The Asswipe a single second of my energy. That partof my life was over. I had a new life now. A life I loved. People in it I loved.
Did IloveBeckett?
Because that question was far too complicated to answer, I ignored it completely and met the ladies at the front to fill our shelves for a soft launch.
FIFTY-FOUR
BECKETT
When I droppedHusker off at the farm, I was surprised not to see Kira’s red Jeep in the driveway. It was late; late enough that Husker was struggling to keep awake, despite his best efforts to fight his heavy eyelids. Although that might be attributed to his eventual sugar crash.
Connie was already in bed, and Dale was snoozing to episodes ofM*A*S*Hreruns in the living room. I left Husker by Dale’s recliner, curled up on a dog bed, and snuck out the door.
Beckett: You okay?
I waited for a couple of minutes, but there was no response.
I hadn’t heard back from Kira all day. Not after I sent her a text about celebrating the books arriving this morning. Not after I sent her another picture of Husker “helping”me renovate the Kniffen Street house, which amounted to Husker stationed at the sliding glass door watching a chipmunk while I installed vinyl planking in the living room.
I was concerned.
