Clayton rolled the glass between his fingers, staring at the amber liquid. “That was the plan. Keep her here until she liked me.” He let out a dry laugh, shaking his head. “Almost worked too.”
“Almost,” Nolan echoed. “Real admirable effort.”
Clayton scowled. “Thought I had her.”
“Yeah well, it turns out that women don’t fall in love with men who annoy them.”
Clayton snorted. “Tell that to every damn country song ever written.”
Nolan smirked but didn’t argue. “You’ll still see her at the studio, won’t you?”
Clayton let out a sharp exhale. “Finished my record early just to mess with her. Thought I was being clever. Turns out I only screwed myself.” He took a sip of whiskey, shaking his head. “Guess I’ll see her at the ACMs in Vegas . . . assuming she doesn’t fake a family emergency to dodge me.”
Nolan snorted. “That’s in April.”
“Yup.”
“So your big swoon-worthy romantic gesture is waiting two months and hoping she shows up?”
Clayton groaned. “You’re the worst.”
“And yet here you are, drinking whiskey and taking my advice. I should start charging for this.”
CHAPTER 17
JAMIE
In the Uber, Jamie googled every combination of “dogs + pregnancies” she could find. It was news to her that dogs could have miscarriages, typically from an infection, but Poppy had never been sick a day in her life—at least not since she was adopted. Still, it worried her that Poppy might get ill, and she wished her dog understood what was happening. Imagine not knowing you’re about to give birth, like the women on the showI Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant.
The rideshare pulled up to Shorty’s building and the driver helped her with her bags. She could barely handle two roller suitcases, a carry-on, a guitar, and a dog—maybe even three or four dogs, now that she thought about it.
“Ruth!” Jamie called as she stepped into Shorty’s penthouse, shifting the small dog in her arms. “I’m home.”
Ruth appeared in the foyer, eyes widening as she gently took Poppy. “What happened?”
“Clayton Langley, that’s what.” Jamie shook her head, still in disbelief. “I swear, I cannot stand that man.”
Ruth frowned. “What did he do this time?”
“Not him—his dog,” Jamie huffed, shoving her suitcases inside and letting the door slam behind her. “You won’t believe what that dog did to Poppy.”
Ruth gasped, quickly inspecting the dog. “Oh no! Did he attack her?”
Jamie threw up her hands. “In a way.”
“In a way?” Ruth’s brow furrowed.
Jamie exhaled sharply, like she still couldn’t believe it. “His idiot dog knocked her up.”
Ruth blinked. “Wait . . . what?”
“Poppy’s pregnant. With that moron’s puppies.”
For a moment Ruth just stared. Then, to Jamie’s horror, her face lit up. “Oh my God. Labradoodles!”
Jamie groaned. “Are you serious right now?”
Ruth kissed Poppy’s head, glowing with excitement. “Can I have one?”
