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“Or?”
“Or Hope just bought a bed and breakfast near the Cape. We can go on a color tour of the leaves changing, maybe walk on the beach and have dinner on the boardwalk. We could probably even bring Barney.”
Her eyes got wide. “I like that idea. But I think Barney would be happier if he stayed home with Asher.”
“The Dragonfly Inn it is. Although, we might have to wait until morning.”
Hopefully, Steven’s little sister would be willing to pull some strings for him and get him a room on such short notice and wouldn’t hold it against him that he’d bailed on her brother’s engagement party. Otherwise, he was going to go from hero to zero in three seconds flat.
The corner of her mouth tipped up. “Whatever shall we do tonight then?”
“The same thing we’re going to do tomorrow at the B and B. I told you, Sunshine, we have some catching up to do.”
They pulled into her drive, and she started to giggle.
“What’s so funny?”
“Chloe said if there was a strange car in my driveway in the morning that she wouldn’t show up unannounced.”
He felt a grumble in his chest at the idea of another man’s car in her driveway in the morning.
“Let her know she should probably get used to seeing my car in your driveway. And I have no problem if she shows up unannounced. I’d love to get to know your family better.”
“Oh… I, uh. No. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
He furrowed his brow as he opened up the driver’s door and asked, “Why not?” before he slipped out and went around to open her door.
He helped her out of the car as she replied, “It’s too soon to be meeting each other’s families, Aiden.”
“Well, I’ve actually already met ChloeandAsher, and you’ve met my daughters, so… that ship has already sailed.”
“You know what I mean. It’s too early to be getting to know them.”
“Again, why?” He tried to keep the snarl out of his voice as she unlocked her front door.
“It just is…”
That answer was bullshit. He knew she was hedging her bet, still not convinced they were supposed to be together.
They walked in the door and were greeted by Barney and his wiggling butt. The pit bull obviously remembered Aiden because he nudged his hand with his nose so he would pet him.
Aiden knelt and scratched his chest and ears with both hands. “Hey, buddy. Good to see you.” Looking up at Dakota, he asked, “Does he need to go out?”
“He has a doggie door.”
“Oh, that’s right. I need to install one of those at my house for him.”
“Why?”
Did she just ask him why?
He stood up and wrapped a hand around her waist to pull her against him.
“So, when you stay at my place, he’ll have a doggie door there, too. I expect you to bring him, Sunshine. I understand you’re part of a package deal that includes your dog and your family, just like my girls come with me.”
Dakota brushed the short hair above his ears with her fingertips.
“For someone who’s supposed to be old and salty, you sure can be accommodating.”
