“We can’t let him go back to living on the streets.”
“No, we can’t,” she agreed.
“Once you get him cleaned up, there’s a vet on Pine Ridge Avenue who can make sure he’s up to date on vaccinations.” Dean’s nose wrinkled. “He might need a flea collar too.”
Even though my skin began to crawl, my dedication to collecting the debt Rory owed me was unmatched. If it took cohabitating—even part-time—with this flea-ridden beast to achieve my goal, then so be it.
“Thanks for the tip,” I tossed over my shoulder to Dean on our way out the door.
“Anytime.” The man sounded almost gleeful, as he should, considering he was ten grand richer.
“Um.” Rory peeked up at me almost shyly. “My place is around the corner. Would you mind at all helping me get him bathed?”
My first instinct was to get the hell away from the repulsive animal, but I couldn’t turn down this opportunity to literally get my foot inside the door.
“Yeah, of course. If you give me the address, I can meet you there after popping into the general store for some dog shampoo.”
Her eyes lifted skyward. “Jeez, I didn’t even think of that. Yes, that would be great. I’m at 523 Cedar Street. Apartment 2B.”
I tapped my temple. “Got it. See you there in a bit.”
As we walked in opposite directions, there was an extra pep in my step, knowing I’d taken a giant leap toward achieving my end goal. Forced to interact with me daily, practically sharing a “fur baby,” Rory didn’t stand a chance at resisting the charming John for much longer.
Soon, so fucking soon, I’d have her eating out of the palm of my hand. And hopefully, shortly after that, carrying my child.
“Were you a good boy for John? Of course you were, because you’re the best boy in the whole wide world!” Rory cooed to the dog she’d named Cosmo as she knelt before him to give him belly rubs.
She was head over heels for the hound, and while I cursed his presence in my life no less than a dozen times a day—especially when I was bagging up his massive shits—I could admit he was my most genius idea to date.
Cosmo provided the perfect excuse to infiltrate myself into Rory’s daily routine, and the serotonin boost she got when reuniting with him meant she was extra pliable, more receptive to my subtle advances. At least once a week, I convinced her tohave dinner with me after dropping off the dog, though—for now—it was under the guise of friendship.
Ruffling his beige fur one more time, Rory rose to her feet. “I can’t thank you enough for keeping an eye on him while I’m at work.”
I smiled. “He’s good company, and my coworkers love it when he makes a guest appearance during our video conferences.”
“Oh my God.” She covered her face with her hands. “Are you sure he isn’t too much trouble?”
Shaking my head, I moved toward the door. “Nah, he’s no trouble at all. I’ll see you tomorrow, Ro.”
“Unless . . .” Rory’s hesitant voice had my steps halting, and when I turned around, I found her chewing on a corner of her lower lip. “Unless you wanted to stay for dinner? We could order a pizza, maybe watch a movie?”
This was the first time she’d been the one to suggest I stay to share a meal instead of it being the other way around, and a thrill of victory shot through me.
Humming, I pretended to consider her offer. “Yeah, I could stick around for a bit.” Then I teased, “But no funny business. We’re just friends who kinda share a dog, remember?”
My wife’s cheeks pinkened adorably. “Right. Just friends.”
We got a pie delivered from the pizzeria around the corner and were enjoying the meal on her couch—she didn’t have a kitchen table; the apartment was barely more than an efficiency—when she turned to me and said, “I feel like I owe you an explanation.”
I eyed her quizzically. “About what?”
Rory sighed heavily, setting her plate down on the coffee table, which proved to be a mistake because Cosmo was quick to steal the slice of pepperoni pizza for himself. Instead of scolding her thieving pet, she turned to me.
“I’ve mentioned before that I have a past, and that’s the reason why I don’t date.”
Placing a hand atop hers, I stopped her before she could go any further. “Ro, you really don’t have to—”
“But I want to,” she cut me off, pulling away from my touch. “You’ve been so kind to me. I feel like it’s only fair that I disclose the reason as to why I’m hesitant to move forward with a romantic relationship, with any man and not just you in particular.”
