"You better be careful with that tail, it might wag right off," Henry said, pointing at PJ's back end. I looked up and tilted my head at Henry. "How did this happen? Did you get in touch with Caleb?"
"Yes, I did. He told me you knew he might come by your apartment. He said you gave him a key."
"Yeah, sometimes he comes to the neighborhood to shop or go out or whatever. I told him he could stop by."
"Well, he had a friend babysitting PJ, and it was the friend who came by."
I squinted. "What? What friend?"
He shrugged innocently. "A guy named Matty. But I pretty much just told him I was keeping PJ right then when he cameinto the apartment. I talked to Caleb on the phone after that. I called and told him I was taking over. So here we are."
He put his hands in the air in a quick shrugging gesture like that was the end of the story. I had so many questions, though. I had heard Caleb mention someone named Matty, but I felt confused as to why he came by my house without Caleb.
"Was there more to it than that?" I asked.
Henry shook his head reluctantly. "Kind of," he said with a shrug. "But not really. Honestly, everything's fine, and I took care of it. Bailey and I had a blast with PJ. She's come to like throwing that frisbee to him. I bet she'll ask for a dog for Christmas. But, no, I didn't like the guys or think they were doing a good enough job with PJ, so I took him."
"I can't believe he didn't even tell me he had talked to you or that you had PJ. Did you and Bailey have him the whole time you were in San Francisco?"
"Yes, and it was great. Caleb didn't tell you because I told him I wanted to surprise you. I don't like that guy, though, for the record."
I smiled because I could tell he was saying that to be protective of me, and that made me feel all warm inside. I felt like crying again, and I blinked and smiled, looking at PJ to distract myself.
"What in the world are we gonna do with you?" I asked him. "You think you're going to be in a movie or something?"
"No, I've got him. He'll stay with me," Henry said. "I planned on that. I knew you wouldn't be able to watch him or have him in your trailer or anything."
"Where's he going to stay?"
"With me. He's fine. We like each other. He's been in here all afternoon. He knows the horses already. I'll take him to my house at night, and then he'll ride with me to work. I know you're busy with the series, so I was planning on watching him. But Ithought you'd feel better knowing he was close and you can see him anytime."
Then, as if PJ was hearing us and wanted to agree, he left my side and went closer to Henry, sniffing and exploring around his feet. He obviously felt satisfied with our greeting, so I stood and stared at Henry.
"I can't believe he's here."
But the words were absent-minded. I was remembering how he had kissed me only moments ago. The thought of it made my chest ache. I felt a hot, melty, urgent sensation somewhere in my core, and I wanted to be physically next to him so badly.
"I can't believeyou'rehere," I added.
"Who, me?" Henry asked.
I nodded, staring up at him, flirting.
"I thought you were talking about PJ since I live here."
I shook my head. "I know you live here, but you haven't been… around… in days. I was missing you so much."
"Ameliaaa." He groaned my name quietly through gritted teeth.
He was gorgeous.
I watched as he looked me over.
"I can barely…" He paused and cleared his throat. "It's hard for me to control my… I want you, and I'm trying to be a gentleman."
I thought of the passionate way he had kissed me when we first entered the barn.
I bit my lip and took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to respond to what he said about wanting me. "You are a gentleman," I said. "There's no trying. You're just a natural."
