The music picked up again, and a second later, the playful growls resumed. Alex didn’t stop this time, changing the tempo to something faster and more energetic.
As soon as I rounded the corner of the hall, Roxy stopped what she was doing to look at me, not quite letting go of Alex’s pant leg from her mouth. I wanted to laugh at the pitiful expression she was giving me, as if trying to say “help!”
Alex was on the couch, one leg tucked under himself while the other was out in the middle of the floor, which he was using to tease Roxy with. She took a step toward me, careful of her cast, then dropped his pant leg to bark at me.
I glanced up at Alex, surprised he still hadn’t stopped playing. His blue eyes were fixed on me, and I could’ve sworn he was smiling, even as he played. I went to sit by him, earning a sniff and rustle from Roxy, followed by an awkward pawing as she tried to beg for a lift-up. It wouldn’t be long before she could jump up on her own again. I ignored her and kept my attention on Alex.
When Alex finished playing, I gave him an encouraging smile, not sure what to say. I’d heard him play the instrument several times now, but always from the privacy of the loft. This… this was different. Alex would’ve known I’d walk in on him playing, yet he still did it.
“That was beautiful,” I said.
Alex reached for my hand, linking our fingers. “I don’t think Roxy likes it.”
“You mean she doesn’t always growl like that?”
“No,” he said with a grin in Roxy’s direction. “She’s never heard me play until just a few days ago.”
I couldn’t hide my surprise. “Are you serious? You sound like you’ve been playing forever!”
He shrugged. “I played as a kid, but no, I haven’t used this thing since my dad died.” He turned the brass instrument over in his hands. After a quick glance at me, he added, “It’s the only thing I have left of him.”
I had no idea what to say to that, so I just reached for his hand and threaded our fingers together. “Please don’t stop,” I said softly.
He gave a sad smile. “I don’t think I can now that I’ve started again. It feels too good.” Roxy tugged at his pants. “Andyouare just going to have to get used to it, Roxygirl!”
She huffed.
I wanted to ask more about his dad, but I also really wanted to hear him play some more. Pulling my feet up, I reached for the blanket and settled in. “I’d love to hear more if you’re up for it.”
19
“Hey, you ready?” I called down the hall toward the bedroom.
“Just about.”
I clipped Noel’s leash onto her collar and stood near the front door, waiting for Alex. It was a gorgeous Saturday afternoon, so we decided to head out for a walk to get some fresh air. Alex had taken Noel on a few walks around the neighborhood in the last week, opting to leave Roxy at home, since she was becoming too squirmy to carry in his arms. The poor dog had been growing restless with her cast, making it harder and harder to keep her off it.
One more week… that’s all she had. Allwehad maybe. Just one more week.
When he finally emerged from the bedroom, I burst out laughing. “What the hell?” I asked, staring at the piece of bright pink material strapped around Alex’s shoulders.
“Don’t laugh,” he chided.
“Too late for that. You look ridiculous. What the hell is that?”
“It’s a sling,” he said with much more confidence than I ever could have managed. “Melanie gave it to me. She was given three of them at her baby shower and didn’t need all of them, so she thought I could use this one for Roxy until she can walk again.”
All humor died as he lifted Roxy from the floor and carefully tucked her into the sash-like sling around his shoulders. It was the cutest damn thing I’d ever seen, and it made me realize I was well and truly lost to this man. I couldn’t believe he was carrying his restless, little pug in a baby sling just to give her some fresh air.Who does that?
“Look, it even has a place for her leg to poke through so it doesn’t get all bent wrong,” he said, obviously pleased with himself. “There you go. Comfy, Roxygirl?” The pug twisted her small black head back, trying to give Alex kisses on the chin.
When he saw me staring, he gave me a look. “What?”
I reached for the belt loop of his pants and yanked him to me, ignoring Roxy’s squirms as I planted a kiss on his lips. “Never thought I’d have a thing for a guy with a baby sling, but turns out, I do.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“Oh yeah. Come on, we better go. Or we’re going to end up back in bed again, trust me.”
