Page 89 of The Casanova Complex

Once Elliott brought up hockey and the conversation turned, I felt Bennett begin to loosen, slowly becoming less tense over the last few minutes.

Thank God. I was starting to worry that he was going to regret accepting my invitation to spend Thanksgiving with us and wish that he’d spent it home, alone.

I have to give credit where it’s due though. My dad did catch us making out on the porch like horny teenagers, and I prepared for him to at least grill Bennett, but honestly, his inquisition wasn’t that bad. I’m pretty sure my dad understands that I’ve been an adult far too long to give my boyfriend the third degree.

Fake boyfriend.

“I know your work schedule is pretty insane, but I’d love for you and Elliott to come to a game with Merritt. Whenever you’re free. I can always get you tickets and leave them at will call,” Bennett tells Dad as he picks up his drink and takes a sip.

“Sweet!” Elliott chimes in, and Dad chuckles, reaching out and rustling his hair.

Elliott grumbles, swatting his hand away, and I grin, watching the exchange.

He’s way too cool for that now.

Being a “preteen” and all.

Dad nods, tossing Bennett an easy smile. “That sounds great. I’d love to see you play. Hell, I haven’t been to a hockey game in probably ten years. Maybe even longer.”

“Oh man,” Bennett responds, shaking his head in disbelief. “No better time, then. These seats are great too. My parents don’t use the tickets, so they’re wide open. You just let me know when, and I’ll make sure they’re there for you.”

Every time he brings up his parents, it leaves me with a flurry of questions bouncing around in my head that I want to ask about. But it doesn’t feel like my place.

I don’t want to overstep.

“Tell you what. How about you shoot me a text with your schedule, and I’ll see if I can move a shift or two around and make it happen,” Dad says with a grin before rattling his cell number off to Bennett.

Okay, maybe I slightly underestimated this situation.

What’s going to happen once this… arrangement between us is done if he’s friends with Dad and Elliott?

My gaze slides to my little brother, who’s staring at Bennett with actual stars in his eyes.

Honestly, I’m not even sure I can blame him at this point.

I’m learning that Bennet is so much more than he appears on the surface. His charm isn’t just an act; it’s truly just a part of who he is.

And that confuses me.

I thought I had him all figured out. This womanizing playboy who doesn’t care about anything other than hockey and having women at his disposal.

Now, I’m learning that maybe that’s who he once was, but he doesn’t want to be that person anymore.

“Baby?” The low, gruff word is whispered close to my ear, and I startle, blinking as I turn to find Bennett staring at me, his brow slightly furrowed. I was lost in my head.

“Good?”

I nod, pasting on a smile. “Just thinking.”

Baby? Not Mer Bear, but baby? I have no control over the sudden flood of heat that trickles through me.

It’s for show, for my dad and Elliott, of course. They think we’re dating, but it’s still the first time he’s ever said that to me.

And now, suddenly, I want to hear it again. And again. And again.

Once we’re done with dinner, I start clearing the table with Bennett and Elliott’s help. We carry it all into the kitchen, and I turn to look at them both. “You guys can go play video games if you want. I can handle it.”

Bennett scoffs, glancing at my brother, then back at me. “Nah. Elliott and I’ve got this. You cooked all day, baby. Go take a bath or something, and we’ll do it.”