Page 46 of Hogging the Hunk

“I like to read, Dad. Plus, I think it was on a vocabulary quiz in like, third grade.”

“Ah.” Adjusting my grip on the steering wheel, I let out a slow breath as I considered the implications of my offer. As much as I wanted to spend hours with Beckett, Ellie had to come first. If she needed reassurance that we’d leave for whatever reason to calm her anxiety, I’d give it to her. “Say the word and we’ll go when you’re ready.”

“Alright. No arguments?”

“Not a peep.”

“Good.”

With Ellie’s worries settled, she sang along to classic Christmas songs on the radio. My thoughts drifted elsewhere. To Beckett, where they always went when something else wasn’t more pressing. Things had been different with us since I had stopped by to get milk for Truffle. How could things not have shifted when I had been so bold to ask the question that had been on my mind for ages? Did Beckett find me attractive? I felt bad about springing it on her, though I was glad about her answer.

Yes. Yes, she did.

“You’ll have to show Beckett the new tricks you’ve taught Truffle.” I leaned across the center console and scratched Truffle on the top of her plump head. She responded by rooting into my palm, seeing if I was hiding a treat for her.

Ellie rolled her eyes. “Why Beckett?”

“You know she loves Princess Cutie Pie Snorty McTruffle.”

“So? That doesn’t mean we have to make an effort to show her our pig. Beckett lives on a farm and I’m sure gets her fill of animals every day.”

The bitterness in Ellie’s voice warned me not to pursue my suggestion any further. Often, I wondered if Ellie resented me for not doing more to stay with Lexi. That was a question I hadn’t yet found the bravery to delve into. On my end, I had always been up front with Ellie about my relationship with her mother. Once I was back in the picture, there were moments when we almost felt like a complete family when we would all spend time together. It wouldn’t happen, though. Lexi and I had both agreed that together, we were like poison for each other. There were days when Lexi needed her space from me. I got it. I could be a jerk. For Ellie, though, we could make it work. And we did for what little time Lexi had left.

Lexi’s passing was hard on Ellie, and deep down, I knew she was afraid I was trying to replace her mother by pursuing another woman. She’d never said as much, though it wouldn’t have taken a mind reader to figure it out. Beckett helped me conclude over a lunch we’d shared at the Mexican restaurant a couple blocks away from where our businesses converged every Tuesday and Thursday. Over chips and salsa, and a plate of sizzling carne asada that we could never finish in one sitting, she gave me a crash course tour of a pre-teen girl’s psyche.

Usually, I refrained from mentioning any outside-of-work visits with Beckett from Ellie. Until Ellie was ready, I pretended there would be no harm in getting to know her better.

As a friend.

Yeah, right.

Somebody needed to tell my heart that things were platonic because it listened to reason less and less the more time I spent with Beckett.

It was going to take time to convince Ellie that dating Beckett wouldn’t erase her mother. I noted varying degrees of success with Ellie and felt keenly the disappointment when things slid backward.

“Here we are.” I killed the engine and tucked the keys into my pocket. “Maybe carry Truffle inside so she doesn’t get their floor dirty.”

“Isn’t this party in a barn?” Ellie sassed.

“A renovated one, yes. That still doesn’t mean they want little muddy pig footprints on the floor.”

By the time we arrived, the party was already going full swing. Upbeat Christmas tunes blared through the speakers, and the entire space smelled like cinnamon, pine, and cloves. As I took Ellie’s coat for her, and hung it on the rack by the door, my eyes were already working independently of the rest of me, scanning the place for Beckett.

“Cool!” Asher, Wil and Remi’s son, popped out of the crowd and kneeled down by Truffle. “Is this a Kunekune pig?”

Ellie twisted Truffle’s bedazzled leash around her wrist. “Yeah. Have you ever seen one before?”

“No, but I saw a documentary once about New Zealand, which is where they’re from.” Asher’s eyes were bright, even when half-hidden by his shaggy haircut.

I ruffled Asher’s hair. “This kid has all sorts of trivia stuffed into this head of his. Wouldn’t be one bit surprised if he’s on Jeopardy! someday.”

Asher’s face brightened from my compliment. “Did you know they’re the only pig that thrives solely on grass? Most other pigs need other stuff in their diets to survive.”

“Yeah,” Ellie said, her confidence bolstered by Asher’s interest. “My dad and I did some research about them when we got her. So you like animals?”

“Remi and I do.” Asher slapped his hand over his forehead. “Er, I mean, my mom and I. We love animals. My dad tolerates them because he knows they make us happy.”

“Do you have any animals?” Ellie asked.

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