“Coming!” Grenadine hollered.
The dog raced after her, barking its head off.
Aaron made a disgusted noise when he walked into the grand salon, carrying yet another Dalmatian puppy.
“I was bringing the dog, Spencer,” he said. “What the hell?”
“Language,” my mom chided.
“Mom, Aaron’s a grown man,” I said in exasperation.
“He is also in the C suite of a conservative company, and there are standards to uphold,” she said primly.
“My apologies, ma’am.” Aaron nodded his head.
In his arms, the puppy yawned sleepily.
Dogs weresonot on the itinerary.
“Well, happy housewarming,” Aaron said, handing Grayson the smaller puppy.
“Is her name going to be Perdita?” Connor asked.
“You can’t name your dogs Pongo and Perdita,” Finn complained.
“That one,” Spencer said, pointing to the larger puppy that was wigging out on the floor, “can barely function. If you change his name now, you’re in a world of hurt.”
Grayson held up the smaller puppy.
“Is she hungry?” I asked as Pongo and I both jumped up, trying to see the small puppy in Grayson’s arms.
“Did you guys bring kibble?” I asked his brothers.
“They need special raw diets,” Grayson said as he and his brothers took the dogs outside.
The small puppy seemed to shake off the last of her nap, and she explored the terrace while Grayson kept a watchful eye. One of his brothers brought out the pet rock with a shit-eating grin on his face. Pongo promptly tried to eat it.
“Grayson is going to be such a good dad,” McKenna practically screamed in my ear.
“Oh my gosh.”
“You can’t say you weren’t thinking it.” She poked me in the side.
We watched as Grayson and Marius carefully introduced Moose the cat to the puppies. One swat from Moose, and Pongo was firmly informed of where he stood in the hierarchy.
I anxiously sent a text message to Nasr to see if my special guest had arrived.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” McKenna asked me in a low voice, reading over my shoulder.
“Nope. I think it might be a very bad one.”
Grayson and his brothers tumbled back inside, laughing, the dogs bounding around them. Grenadine played bartender and passed out drinks. I watched the scene, goofy smile on my face. Grayson looked so happy.
My dad slung an arm around my shoulders. “Even if they ruin the furniture,” he joked, “dogs and kids are completely worth it.”
“Hint, hint.” McKenna elbowed me.
The doorbell rang, and my stomach churned as I raced to the foyer.
