“Is it a puppy? Because it’s already the size of some grown dogs,” Jake notes and the puppy flops down on his back offering us his belly for scratches. “What breed is he?”
“Newfoundland,” Logan says as he smoothes his sandy brown hair. “I wanted a big dog and these guys used to pull in the nets for fisherman in Newfoundland, Canada, which seemed fitting for a Hawkins family dog. And then Mason told me about his aunt in Grady who has a Newfie who accidentally got knocked up before she could get her fixed. Anyway, she was giving away the puppies to a good home.”
“Sounds like fate,” I say softly as the puppy jumps to his feet and starts showering me in kisses. I giggle like a maniac. “Oh my God, I’m already falling in love.”
“Me too,” Jake says.
I tumble backward, the dog climbs on top of me, but my eyes are on Jake who is staring at me, not the dog. I smile and fight a blush. Logan walks up after toeing off his shoes by the door and scoops up the dog. “So Jake you gonna order the grub or what?”
“I should go,” I say as panic sets in again. I’m worried if I stick around Logan will somehow figure out what we just did.
“Nope,” Logan says flatly and pushes the dog into my chest. I hold him and am shocked at how heavy he is. “You’re gonna stay, eat crispy beef and chicken fried rice, and help me name him.”
* * *
Two hourslater and two bottles of beer, which is a lot for me, I put down the container of crispy beef on the coffee table and grab my water glass. After a big sip, which I definitely need, I dip my fingers in the water and flick the droplets on top of the puppy’s head. “I officially christen you Chewbacca Hawkins. Welcome to the family, Chewie!”
“It’s perfect,” Logan says smiling and leaning back in the leather recliner across from me. Jake is on the old wooden rocker by the window, so Chewie and I have the couch to ourselves. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. River is obsessed with Star Wars. He’ll love it.”
“The dog does look like Chewbacca,” Jake says and sips his beer. “Good job, Terra.”
I smile at him, but make sure it’s brief because Logan has definitely been staring at us harder than normal. I’m sure he doesn’t believe my story about why I’m here. Jake starts to clean up the remnants of the Chinese food and refills my water glass. Logan stands as Chewie circles twice and curls up on my lap. He’s like a furry, weighted blanket. “I know the timing is a little crazy. The family is gonna have a lot to manage in the coming weeks as you and Jake recover, so I’m sure Declan will call my timing selfish.”
“He won’t,” I reply but I’m not exactly sure about that. Deck loves to judge Logan’s life choices. It’s like a full-time hobby. “And even if he does, he’s wrong. It’s the perfect time to add this guy to the clan. We need something happy and light … figuratively speaking.”
Logan laughs. “Yeah he’s going to weigh more than you by the time he’s full grown.”
“Great, we get a dog and I’m still the runt in the family,” I snark.
Logan looks at his watch and stands up. “Want a lift home tonight? You can’t drive after drinking.”
“I walked.”
“Still. It’s late. Let me drive you,” Logan insists so I nod, reluctantly.
Jake reappears from the kitchen. “You heading out?”
Logan and I nod simultaneously. Jake’s dark eyes linger on me longer than Logan. I know he wants to finish our conversation from earlier, but we can’t. If I don’t catch a ride with Logan, he’ll know something is up and I’m not ready for Logan’s two cents on my love life. Or anyone’s for that matter.
Logan scoops sleepy Chewie from my lap and holds him like he holds River. Chewie’s fluffy head on Logan’s shoulder. I pull my phone from my pocket and snap a picture. “This is going on your dating profile.”
“I don’t have a dating profile,” Logan replies with a frown.
“A girl can dream,” I mutter back. Jake chuckles.
“Okay… drive safe,” Jake says as he follows us to the front door. Logan shoves his feet in his shoes and I let Jake drape one of his hoodies over my shoulders because I came here without a coat and the temperature outside has dropped. “See you … later?”
I nod and smile. He winks.
Outside, Logan puts a leash on Chewie, hooking it to the red collar around his neck and lets him walk to the car, biting at the leash the whole way and stopping to pee on the back tire of Logan’s SUV before he gets loaded into a massive crate in the back. I give him one last kiss on the head before Logan closes the crate door.
I climb into the passenger seat and as soon as we’re buckled up, Logan pulls out of the parking stall. “Beth is bringing River by the restaurant on her way to work tomorrow morning. I’m introducing him and the rest of the family to Chewie. Can you be there?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“What were you and Jake talking about?” Logan asks.
“Pre-op stuff,” I mutter and look out the window. “Don’t want to bore you.”
