When I open them, I’ve half pulled myself together. “Doesn’t look like it. Have to drop him off at the dog shelter,” I say, turning.
Miss Heart stands in the doorway, cradling the unruly mutt in her arms like it’s a hairy baby. Its head is cocked at me, tongue lolling out of its mouth.
When I mention the dog shelter, she squeezes the dog tighter and looks down into its wide eyes. Some silent communication passes between them, and I brace myself for what I know is coming next.
“What if he comes to live with me?” Her eyes meet mine—wide,beautiful, and hopeful—and I know I’m going to crumble like a cookie.
Still, I have to try. “Miss Heart, someone could still come to claim the dog. He might have a home somewhere.”
“I know he could,” she claims, but I can see exactly how much she doesn’t believe those words, “but if he were my lost dog, I wouldn’t want him staying in a shelter.”
Her eyes—gods, those eyes. And her scent is so warm, sweet, and hopeful. I’d burn the world before souring it.
I sigh, and she beams. She knows she’s won.
Then her face turns down in a frown. “The only problem is I’m leaving for a bachelorette trip for one of my sisters tonight. I’m going to be gone for four days.”
My alpha snaps up below the surface. Not seeing her for that long isnot acceptableto him. Good thing I don’t let him run me.
“Four days for a bachelorette?” The words come out friendly—I hope—and not possessive.
She rolls her eyes. “My younger sister. She enjoys lots of fanfare with things. I’m going to get to visit my family too, though.”
I look down at the puppy in her arms and then up to Miss Heart’s lovely face before sighing. I rub the back of my neck as I say, “I could take him while you’re gone. Train him up a bit too.”
Her eyes go wide. “Really? Oh my gosh. I’d owe you. Are you sure?”
The puppy squirms, licking the bottom of her chin, and she giggles.
Fuck my life, that giggle.
“Yeah,” I say a little more gruffly than I mean to, “no problem.” I step up to her and try not to groan as our arms brush. I jerkily take the mutt from her arms. “Thing is, if I’m gonna try to train him, he needs a name.”
She places her manicured little finger on her chin and taps. I want to draw that finger into my mouth and suck.
“How about ‘Deputy’?” she asks. “Since the police found him, it seems fitting.”
Erin’s head pops up. “Hey now, that’s my job,” she teases.
“Well, he could be your assistant,” Winnie clarifies.
Erin sidles up to my side, taking the mutt’s big paw in her hand.
“He does seem like a pretty cute sidekick. I'll put up missing puppy posters, but no one's come in looking for him.” Another sign that he might be from one of the puppy mills. They don't want to draw attention to their operations.
“Deputy it is,” I gruff, and Miss Heart beams.
Like I said. Fuck. My. Life.
Winnie
The bass thumps through my entire body, and all I can think is—what am I doing?
At a nightclub in Traverse City, of all places? This isnotmy scene. I’d come for my sister’s bachelorette party. I’d seen my parents, and endured two days of bar-hopping, silly games, and penis-shaped everything. But now Flora’s in the middle of the dance floor with her friends, and I’m completely over it. I don’t love loud places or crowded bodies. It was fun enough for the first couple of days, but my batteries are drained now, and all I want is to go home to my little bedroom nest, make some cookies, crochet a beanie animal, and watch a movie.
Thank goodness I drove myself here. I can leave whenever I want. We’re supposed to be staying one more night at the hotel but I’ve been considering going home. I already tried to leave once, but my sister’s maid of honor, Kristen, insisted I was being selfish for wanting to leaveearly.How midnight counts as early is beyond me.
As I push my way through the crowd, a hand wraps around my forearm and tugs—hard. I wince as my body jerks around.
