It’s doubly important I’m on my best behavior.
And he knows it, too, judging by the way he asked and the stark reassurance in every kiss.
Seeing Brady nervous leaves my heart in shambles.
So, I take his face in my hands, looking him deep in the eyes so he knows how serious I am.
“I won’t let you down, Brady.”
“I know. Never an option with you.” His smile is all butter, and his hand slides through my hair.
This time, when he kisses me and his hands roam wild, we don’t stop until I’m a screaming mess.
XVIII
Ankle Biter
(Brady)
I insist on being the one to drop off Queenie at Pawsome Hearts for day care with the other dogs before driving us to the gala.
Honestly, I don’t know why it matters so much.
Luis could’ve done it in a heartbeat.
But with Lena by my side, there’s this weird family feeling in the air. Queenie whines with excitement when she senses where we’re going.
“Hope all this bouncing around isn’t stressing her out.”
“No way. She’s a runner. She’ll have a blast tiring herself out with the other pups,” Lena says, toying with the edge of her dress.
We picked it out this morning before getting ready.
She wanted to pay her own way, and I wouldn’t hear it.
This damn gala’s for my father’s sake—and mine. I won’t have her shouldering the cost for a dress this fancy.
In the end, she went for a navy silk piece from this boutique shop that does its own alterations. The dress fits her like a glove.
Simple and elegant. Timeless. Blue as the summer ocean.
I try to ignore her dabbing on lipstick in the mirror, along with the raging hard-on from hell.
“You look great. Stop worrying,” I tell her.
“I’mnot.”
“Bull. I know that look, and I’m telling you to lose it. You look like a smoke show.” I pull up in the clinic’s lot and park. “Stay there. I don’t want your shoes getting dirty.”
“Dude, we’re not at the farm. The lot isn’t that filthy,” she grumbles, but her eyes flick to the building where I’m dropping Queenie off.
It must be weird, having your status change so drastically in front of your longtime coworkers.
Whenever this insanity ends, it’s going to upend her life just as much as mine.
I let Queenie jump out the back, and she immediately tries to go flying to the door before the leash catches in my hand.
The guy manning the kennels runs up to us—a friendly man with red hair and thick glasses. I hand off everything our girl needs for the day, plus bagged meals and a couple new toys, then climb back in the car.
