He held up a hand. “No, I can see it. I watched lots of videos about dogs this past week. I’ve started figuring out what they look like when they’re happy and when they’re about to bite. I just need to give my amygdala a second to catch up, you know?”
I nodded. “Actually, I do. I’m happy to hang here for a bit if you are.”
Despite my encouraging words, I knew that any moment now, he was going to look at me and decide I wassonot worth it.
Something sad crossed his face.
“What’s that?” I asked, pointing at his expression.
“I’m worried you’re going to think this isn’t worth it,” he admitted.
I cackled. Then remembered that I was prone to laughing at the wrong time and quickly explained, “I literally just had the same thought. That there’s no way you’ll want to be patient with this squirmy little hellion.”
He shook his head with absolute determination. “No fucking way. I’ve had plenty of one-night stands, and this was not that. I can promise you. Here, gimme the damn dog.”
I rocked back, holding Judi closer to me. “What are you going to do with her?”
“I’m going to introduce myself,” he grumped.
God, he looked so deliciously angry right now, even though I knew he wasn’t.
Grrr.
“What are you doing?” he asked, looking at me sideways.
There is a not-small chance that I just growled in public.
“I like it when you look all disgruntled and mean,” I explained. “Murderous is a good look for you.”
He rolled his eyes upward. “Just give me the damn dog.”
I nodded and slowly walked toward him. Judi truly felt like she was going out of her skin to get to him. Right as I reached him, she launched herself from my arms into his. The panic was visible on his face, but he reached out and grabbed her, ensuring she didn’t fall. Wiggling like all get out, she nuzzled him, licking his chin, yipping with excitement.
And then I heard the sound I’d been waiting for this whole time.
Gideon laughing. Loud, long, and just plain happy.
He knelt, then sat with his legs crossed. Judi, scamp that she was, jumped and squeaked, spinning around in his lap until her one good eye glazed over. She bumped him under the chin, nudged her head under his hand, and then rolled onto her back, exposing her belly.
“Did she fall asleep?” he asked, the laughter still in his voice.
I shook my head. “She’s in listening mode.”
“Is this what she looks like when she’s helping you with kids?”
I nodded.
Maintaining eye contact with me, Gideon leaned down, whispering, “Hey, Judi, I want to let you know that I think your dad is amazing. And I don’t want to terrify him, but I really want to make him my boyfriend.”
Judi licked his hand.
“That means she approves,” I said, dropping down on the grass beside him.
“Yeah? And what’s your take?” he asked.
“My take is the truly terrifying one, so I will hold on to that for a few more dates, but if you want to be exclusive and call me your boyfriend, there is literally not one complaint coming from me.”
He chuckled, then leaned over and kissed me.
