“Gus,” I plead. “Don’t be mad. It’ll be a few hours. Then we’ll be back. You can watch your puppy TV, play with your toys…”
“Are you bargaining with the dog again?” Nico asks as he walks into the room. He glances at Gus, who casts another sorrowful gaze at him. “Gus, buddy.” Nico comes over and scratches the top of Gus’s head. “Don’t make your mom feel bad for going out for a few hours. You’re going to be fine.”
Gus huffs at him, clearly unconvinced.
“Come on.” Nico extends his hand to me. “We have to go. He’ll be fine.”
I take Nico’s hand. “I know. But when he gives me those sad eyes… I mean, look at him. How can you resist?”
Nico eyeballs Gus. “Heisvery good at it, isn’t he?”
“Because he knows it works.” Giving Gus one final pat, I leave the kitchen with a slight pang of guilt. Even though I knowGus will be fine on his own, it’s still hard leaving him.
We’ve had Gus, a terrier retriever mix, for just over a month now, and since he was a rescue, we’ve really been trying to keep him company as much as possible. We take him out around the city to socialize him, over to Knight’s condo to play with his dog, Sampson, and he even comes into work with us at Fox & Falcon. But tonight is a special event, with well over a hundred people planned to be in attendance, plus lots of tempting food, which isn’t the best combo for a dog still in training.
Logically, it makes sense. But once Gus gets those sad puppy dog eyes going… it’s hard to say no to them.
When we reach the living room, Nico sets me a few feet away from him and looks me up and down. His gaze heats. “You look gorgeous, Soph. And this dress…” He reaches underneath my skirt and caresses my leg. “It makes me want to keep you home.”
My belly flutters. “That sounds really tempting.”
Nico’s hand moves higher. His fingers brush the line of my panties. My core squeezes.
Wouldwe have time? If we just lift my skirt, and we do it right here in the living room, maybe against the wall again…
No.
It’s a Fox & Falcon event. A special one. And Nico’s the owner and founder of the company. It’s probably notthe best look if he shows up late.
Removing his hand from my leg, I give Nico a mock scolding look. “Stop that. Or we won’t get there in time.”
“Well, it is my company,” he muses. “If I want to be late because I’m having sex with my beautiful girlfriend, I think I’m allowed.”
“Come on.” Laughing, I grab his hand and drag him to the front door. “We have people waiting for us.”
Since it’s the annual Fox & Falcon staff appreciation party, all the employees will be there, of course, plus their friends and family. My aunt will be attending with her best friend turned partner, Melissa. And Brian is coming, which I’m particularly excited about, since I haven’t seen him in person since he moved to Florida.
It’s not just the staff appreciation event, though. There’s going to be a special announcement, as well. I know what it is, and so do Knight, Wraith, Jester, and Houdini. And, obviously, Nico. But to everyone else, it’ll be a surprise.
My stomach jumps in anticipation. I’m excited, but nervous as well. It’s a big deal, what we’re planning to do. It’s something that could make a huge difference, if we do it right.
IfIdo it right.
While we’re in the car on the way over, I turn to Nico and ask, “Do you think I’ll be able to do this?”
He gives me a confused look. “Do what?”
“Our new idea. I don’t want to let everyone down. I don’t want to letyoudown.”
He’s quiet for a few seconds. Then he rubs my leg. “Soph. There is no way you could ever let me down. Ever. I believe in you. Completely.”
A few of the nervous butterflies settle. “Okay.”
As the car pulls to a stop outside the Fox & Falcon building, Nico turns to me. “There’s nothing wrong with being nervous about a new venture. It means you’re taking it seriously. But I promise, I would never have agreed if I didn’t think you were capable. You’re going to be amazing, Soph. I’m sure of it.”
A few more butterflies drift away. I take a deep breath and let it out in a rush. “Okay. I believe you.”
The car door opens to reveal Kurt outside, waiting. He winks at me. “I forgot to mention,” he says. “My son loved thoseconfetti cupcakes you made. I had to hide a few for myself before he ate all of them.”
