Page 66 of Wishes and Research

Oops.

Not sure if I’d made the situation better or worse, I nodded. “Me too, and it would keep everyone from fucking with our wedding plans.”

Frowning, he sighed. “Like the VFW Hall, Daddy.”

Yeah, Alick and his mate still didn’t seem to know about that.

“Yep.” Sneaking in a quick peck since it didn’t seem like he was going to kill me and bury me in a shallow grave near his beetles any longer, I shrugged. “But we’re smarter than that and we know how to set good boundaries.”

Kind of.

He still hadn’t gone back to the bakery in the past couple of days, but he’d been practicing ignoring the nosiest of the locals.

“We’re smart.” Even Paxton seemed to realize he needed to work on the boundary part. “We’re big boys too.”

Maybe?

“I’m going to introduce you to some people. We’re going to have a nice lunch. We’re going to talk about the hike tomorrow. We’re going to try to be subtle and ask Alick about his plans for their wedding.” That got a giggle from Paxton. “Okay, I said we were going to try to be subtle. I didn’t promise anything.”

That got me more snickers and he wasn’t looking homicidal any longer.

He even gave me a quick kiss and aimed wide eyes at me. “I’m your mate, Daddy.”

A manipulative one at that.

“You are.” So I returned the kiss and was a great Daddy because I ignored his silliness. “And I’m not going to hide that, but we’re not going to answer any marriage questions or any that are about what kind of little you are.”

He blinked and sighed again.

Not good.

“But…but if they ask if I’m a pony, you have to tell them no.” That seemed to be where he drew the line. “I’m not going around in circles and doing…that.”

Yep, still little enough that we weren’t saying grown-up words.

“Deal.” I snuck in another kiss to seal it. “I will make sure to tell them no if that comes up and I’ll even look at them like they’re crazy.”

Because that wouldn’t be hard.

I’d have loved to promise him that the ridiculous question wouldn’t come up, but I wasn’t going to lie even if it would’ve made him happy.

“Thank you.” He let out a huff before he rested his head on my shoulder. “I like hikes, Daddy. I like dessert. I like mac and cheese.”

Since it seemed like he was talking himself into actually going inside the diner, I nodded and kept him snuggled close. “And you’ll like Alick and his mate. I keep forgetting that guy’s name.”

Paxton’s giggle made me huff that time. “He hasn’t been in the area long and he doesn’t really talk to anyone else. I think I saw him once walking out of Walmart with Alick. The only reason I know so much is that people are nosy and Alick asked me if I would lead them on a hike up to the portal.”

That was the only reason Paxton was willing to brave the diner again. He wanted to come on the hike, but he didn’t think inviting himself without at least first meeting them would be polite. I didn’t care because polite would not save him in our fucked-up little community, but he liked manners, so we were going to have manners.

“Grady. That’s his name.” Because he found everyone grating. “You have to remember that because I won’t.”

He jerked in silent laughter, but he didn’t disagree with his new role in our relationship. “Yes, Daddy.”

Kissing the side of his head, I did my best to sound happy. “Thank you. Alright, you ready to pretend to be boring?”

Paxton couldn’t seem to decide if he wanted to laugh or sigh, but he nodded after a few long moments. “Yes. I can play pretend as long as I get dessert.”

Hmm.

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