“ButQuin…”
Beckett pulled back to look her in the eyes. He gently brushed an errant strand of hair off her cheek. “He needs some time to lick his wounds and cooldown.”
“I want to fix this for them. They’d be good together. Vivian said one of the reasons she didn’t want to date him was because she and I arefriends.”
“You know what would blow her argument right out of thewater?”
“What?”
“If you and I made it all look easy.” He began rocking to that rhythm theyshared.
“That would actually be a good idea. Maybe, if we all hang out and she sees that it’s not weird between you, me, and Quinton, then she’ll comearound.”
“Sure. Invite the wholegang.”
“Even Trent?” sheteased.
“Even Trent. I’m not a sorewinner.”
Daisy rolled her eyes. “Pah-lease. You’re the world’s sorestwinner.”
“Sayswho?”
“Says me—the Monopolychampion.”
“You’re relentless.” He ticked her sides. “Come to think of it, I should have known you’d turn into a MyHeartChannelmogul.”
“Right?” She laughed until Beckett kissed her. She felt like laughing and singing and bouncing all over the house as pieces from her childhood, teenaged years, and adult life all meshed together. Somehow, laughing with Beckett and kissing him and sharing their lives made her feel like the best parts of herself shone through. She loved that about him. She might even lovehim.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Beckett enteredQuinton’s vet clinic through the front door. He’d spent a lot of time in the back lot putting together the barn kit, but he didn’t feel like he could walk in the employee entrance. Not without Quinton’s permission. After what happened in the kitchen … he wasn’t sure Quinton would let him in atall.
Sienna waved hello from behind the receptionist desk. Typing while talking on the phone, she flagged Beckett to go towards the back rooms. He headed for the recovery room, where the last of the puppies lay alone in the kennel. Beckett headed straight for him, squatting in front of the door. “Hey there, little guy. You want to comeout?”
The puppy sat up and halfheartedly wagged histail.
“He’s going through separationdepression.”
At Quinton’s words, Beckett lurched to hisfeet.
“Which is what Daisy will go through when you packup.”
Beckett turned back to the kennel, taking in the sadness in the puppy’s big brown eyes. His whole body seemed sad, from his droopy ears to his limp tail. “Is there anything we can do forhim?”
“We’re doing all we can.” Quinton washed his hands in the sink and dried them with a paper towel out of the dispenser. “Here’s the thing. If you leave, Daisy will hurt—and not just the first time, but every time. And I’m going to start to hate you for making her go throughthat.”
Beckett reached up to tug at his beard, only to grab air. Instead he unlocked the door and held the puppy close to his body. “What are best friendsfor?”
Quinton scowled. “Notthat.”
“Look.” Beckett stroked the dog’s soft fur. He wouldn’t mind having a pet. Maybe he could get a dog for Daisy. “I know it’s not ideal, but we’re figuring this out. We’re taking it one day at a time, goingslow.”
“It didn’t look like you were taking it slow thismorning.”
Beckett checked his grin. “You could learn a thing or two fromme.”
“Like what?” Quintonscoffed.
