“Oh shit,” I cry, jumping in front of her when it doesn’t look like he’s going to stop.
He might not be the biggest dog in the place, but he has enough power and speed to knock her on her ass.
But just to prove me wrong, Buddy manages to put the brakes on just at the right time, and he comes to a grinding stop right in front of us.
“Good boy, Buddy,” Freya coos as she steps around me and greets him with a pet behind the ears.
I pass Freya a ball, and we stand before both of the dogs as they sit in front of us, impatiently waiting.
I fake a shot and laugh when Charlie falls for it and takes off running. Buddy, though, is smarter, more aware.
“Don’t be mean,” Freya says, watching as Charlie comes bounding back.
“Sit,” I command when he stands there, watching me suspiciously. “Ready?” I ask.
“You’re such a tease,” Freya laughs.
“Me?” I gawp. “Have you seen yourself walking around my apartment?”
Her chin drops. “I’m just doing my job.”
“Maybe so, but watching you chop up an onion…” I waggle my brows and look her up and down.
She giggles, but she doesn’t argue.
“Shall we do this? I think they’re getting impatient.”
I look down at the two doggos waiting on us, and without missing a beat, I shout, “Go,” and both Freya and I launch our balls.
Both dogs take off at the speed of light. Beside me, Freya erupts with happy laughter.
“Thank you for this,” she says, her eyes locked on Buddy as he chases his ball down.
“Anything to make you smile like that,” I say quietly.
We spend the whole day at the shelter. After we’ve worn Buddy and Charlie out, we head back into the kennels, where we help clean a few of them. I’m not going to lie, it’s not my favorite task of the day, but I embrace it all the same. We do some grooming before heading back outside with more dogs who need exercise. By the time we leave, we’re covered in dog hair and in need of a shower, but despite that, we’re both smiling.
“That was so much fun. We’re totally coming back,” Freya says as we climb into the car.
“You heard Lilah, we’re welcome whenever.”
“Would you mind if I started coming when you’re away?”
“What?” I ask, confused as to why she feels she needs my permission. “Of course you can. You can come whenever you like. You don’t need to ask me.”
She looks down at her lap. “I just…I wasn’t sure if it was something we do together.”
“Freya,” I say, reaching over the center console. “You don’t need my permission to do something you love. If you enjoy being here, come as often as you like.”
She’s smiling when she looks over, and the look in her eyes makes my heart skip a beat.
“I like you, Cole Hansley. I like you a lot.”
“Well, that’s a relief, because I think I might like you more.”
48
FREYA
