Page 72 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

My phone dinged with a message. “Hey Siri, read new text message.”

“Message from Evil Stepmother—”

“Siri, stop.” I immediately halted the automated voice. There was no way I wanted to ruin today with whatever nonsense she spouted off at me.

“Hey, Siri, call Ruby.” I desperately needed to talk to her.

“Hi, Wren! How was the field trip?” she asked.

“It was good.” I hesitated. “I’m going to Newport Creamery. Did you want anything?”

“Oh, could you get me a strawberry Awful Awful?” Everytime I heard the drink’s name it made me want to laugh. As a kid I used to call it the Awful Waffle, not realizing it was just the same word twice.

“You got it.” Why was the reason I called so hard to get out?

“Are you getting food to go?”

“No,” I paused. “I’m going with Zoey and Beckett.”

“Hold on.” A scraping, staticky sound burst out of my speaker. “Raya, can you keep an eye on things while I step out back for a second? Thanks!”

The sound continued, and a door shut. I assumed Ruby was going outside so our call would be semi-private. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Wren?”

“No,” I whispered. I had my doubts and was giving her the same excuses I was giving myself to make this all right. “We have Zoey with us, and we can discuss planning for the festival.”

“Sweetie. Personally, I don't think this is a big deal, but I’m also not your boss. Do you want to chance it?”

“I want to go. But what does that mean?” I wasn’t cut out for this friends-with-benefits crap.

“Are you developing feelings for him?” I hated how she forced me to see the things I didn’t want to see.

“No. Yes. Maybe?” I had a sneaking suspicion I was starting to have feelings for Beckett. It didn’t matter that we’d hated each other longer than we liked each other. Every moment with him showed me he was a decent guy. Someone I could see myself with long term.

“I think it would be amazing if you and Beckett were together. We could double date and be best friends dating best friends.” I heard the hesitation in her voice. “But I don’t see that being something Beckett is looking for with you or anyone else for that matter. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know. I think I just needed to hear you say that.” I tapped my finger against the steering wheel in concentration. “When I suggested this non-date sexcapade stuff, I knew the score. It’s a short-term thing, and once I get my head on straight, I’ll be fine.”

“Let me know if I can help. I need to run, but we’ll chat more when you get back. Grayson’s stopping by his parents’ house after work, so I’m completely free.”

I pulled my car into the small parking lot and waited by the front door for Beckett and Zoey. Beckett exited the car, gave me a tight smile, and leaned in again to say something to his daughter.

My stomach dipped. Did he regret inviting me? My eyes darted around the space. It was pretty quiet. I could come up with an excuse about why I needed to leave.

He motioned for me to come closer.

This was it. I steeled myself for when he said to forget this. I’d smile and walk away, pretending it didn’t hurt my feelings. That’s what sexcapade people did, right? It was all loose, flirty, and fun. I could be all those things if my stupid stomach would stop trying to revolt.

“Hey, so—”

He shut his car door. “It’ll just take a few minutes,” his terse voice bit out.

“No problem. If you’d rather I didn’t join you two, I could—” Beckett reached out and grabbed my hand.

His tight grip confused me, as did the riot of emotions clouding his beautiful green eyes.

“Everything okay?” I lightly ran my thumb over the back of his hand as a quiet sign of comfort.

He leaned against his car, facing away from the inside, and lowered his voice. “Zoey’s talking to her grandparents.”

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