Page 69 of One Last Encore

"Where did you come from?" Ingrid asked before she could stop herself.

He grinned around a bite. "The shadows. But technically? The pizzeria on Bedford."

"This is Reef," Beck said, resigned. "He just… appears. Especially when carbs are involved."

"I am summoned by yeast," Reef said solemnly, raising the garlic knot in the air. "Also, it is a pleasure to officially meet you. You’re even prettier up close."

"Thank you?" Ingrid raised an eyebrow, thrown. "Are you always like this?"

"Oh no," Reef said. "Sometimes I play guitar."

"Hey, I play bass!" Finn called from behind them. "You don’t hear me bragging. And I’m wicked good with my fingers too."

He wiggled said fingers suggestively. Reef high-fived him with his free hand, his other still gripping the garlic knot.

Beck let out a long breath, the kind that said this has happened before. His chest vibrated lightly against her arms. He shifted slightly, subtly placing himself between Ingrid and the two-person tornado.

"Don’t mind them," he murmured near her ear, his breath warm against her skin, sending a shiver straight down her spine. "Complete pigs."

"Well, these pigs brought pizza and garlic knots," Reef announced proudly, shaking a greasy white bag in the air. "So it’s join us, or no pizza for you."

Before Ingrid could respond, Finn began snorting dramatically, stomping around in a circle like an actual pig.

She pressed her lips together, fighting the very real urge to laugh.

Beck ignored them entirely, his focus solely on her. "Forget the pizza. I’ll get you hot chocolate and croissants," he said softly, holding out his hand.

Ingrid turned to Finn with a playful smirk. "Bye, Shaggy," she said, giving him a quick wave before glancing at Reef. "And I guess that makes you Scooby."

Reef froze mid-bite, the garlic knot hovering in front of his mouth like she’d just called him a crusty sock.

"I beg your entire pardon?" he said, genuinely appalled. "Scooby?This"–he gestured to himself like he was showcasing a luxury car–"is giving dog to you?"

Finn lost it, laughing so hard he nearly dropped the pizza box. "Oh my God, dude. She pegged you in five seconds flat. That’s brutal."

"I am deeply offended," Reef declared. "I’m at least a Velma. Mysterious. Brilliant. A little spicy."

"You’re a snack-hoarding menace with zero boundaries," Finn wheezed. "You’re like if Scooby and a raccoon had a baby and raised it in a Taco Bell dumpster."

Beck chuckled under his breath, clearly resigned to the madness. He slipped his hand into Ingrid’s and gave her fingers a soft squeeze as they turned to leave.

"Don’t encourage them," he murmured near her ear, amused. "Now he’s going to talk about this for a week."

Behind them, Reef called out. "VELMA, you hear me? I solve mysteries and I do it in style!"

"You drooled on your shirt ten minutes ago," Finn added helpfully.

Ingrid waved over her shoulder, a smirk tugging at her lips as their bickering faded behind them. Beck guided her down the street, his fingers warm and steady in hers.

The city noise dulled to a hum, their steps falling into an easy rhythm.

"Sorry about them," Beck said, glancing at her with a sheepish smile. "They’re not exactly used to... guests."

"They’re great," Ingrid said, laughing. "Totally chaotic, but somehow weirdly charming."

Beck chuckled. "Try living with them, it wears off fast. I figured something quieter might be more your vibe. Hot chocolate and a croissant felt like… peace."

"How’d you even know I’m obsessed with hot chocolate?" she asked, turning to him with a curious smile. "You figured that out, what, week three?"

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