“Fair enough,” he replied as he opened the refrigerator and started pulling food out.“Does scrambled eggs and sausage sound okay?”
“It sounds delicious, but really, you don’t have to cook for me.I’m not that hungry in the morning.”
He looked around me to see the clock on the stove as he set a carton of eggs on the counter.
“It’s after eleven, which means it’s almost lunch time.So, like it or not—I’m feeding you.”
I exhaled heavily, making sure to roll my eyes so he knew how dramatic I was being.
“Fine.If you insist.”
Just when I thought I finally had the upper hand, he walked in front of me, placing the pack of sausage down beside the eggs.He gently pinched my chin between his fingers as his heated gaze penetrated mine.
“Good girl,” he murmured, making sure my body felt the weight of his words.
My thighs clenched in response, attempting to dull the ache that was sure to start building.
“What do you need help with?”I asked once he stepped away, and I was able to clear the fog from my head.
“Nothing.I’ve got it, but thank you.You’re welcome to find something for us to watch on TV if you want to.”
I nodded and made my way into the living room, smiling at the cutest little puppy until I stopped in my tracks.The Bassett hound looked up at me from its spot on the couch, the remote for the TV tucked firmly between its paws.
“Umm....”I said, unsure of how to tell him his dog had eaten a good chunk of the remote.
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems your dog got to the remote before I could.”
I scrunched my face as he set the spatula down on the counter and tipped his head back in frustration.
“Fucking, Travis,” he muttered as he walked around the island that separated the living room from the kitchen and stood beside me.“Are you kidding me?”
Travis whined as he looked up at us with the saddest eyes I had ever seen.
“Aww,” I whispered, trying my best not to laugh.
“Nope.Don’t you dare sympathize with thismonster.”He reached down and grabbed the remote from Travis, holding it away from him as slobber dripped from the end of it.“You’rethisclose to being a stray.I swear to God, if you eat one more thing...”
“I take it he does this often?”
Patrick looked at me while the remote still dangled between his fingers.
“Heis the reason I haven’t bought new furniture.I have yet to find something he doesn’t chew on and destroy.”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing as he shook his head and grabbed a few tissues to wipe off the remote.
“Puppies do that,” I offered softly, fighting the urge to scratch Travis’s tummy as he rolled onto his back and looked at us.
“So I’m finding out.”
“You didn’t know this in advance?”
“In all fairness, I’m not a dog person.”
“Why did you get a puppy then?”
“My niece Daisy wanted one, and I couldn’t say no.Her mom wouldn’t let her have one, so I was the stupid one who volunteered to get one instead.She’s supposed to come by and help with him, but they’ve been busy.Given how much work he is, I kinda understand now why my sister was against it.”
