Mrs Calloway crouched slightly, though she kept Beau firmly against her. ‘Thank you, Atlas. From both of us.’
Atlas blinked at her, then turned his head towards Marcus as if waiting to see whether praise required further action.
Marcus smiled. ‘Don’t look at me, boy. You earned that one all by yourself.’
Rowan’s shoulder brushed his.
Not by accident this time.
Veronica’s voice rang out again. ‘Marcus! Are you taking over, or have I accidentally become master of ceremonies for life?’
A ripple of laughter moved through the crowd.
Marcus glanced at Rowan.
Rowan gave a small nod. ‘Go on.’
Marcus stepped towards the ring, then paused. ‘You’ll stay?’
Rowan’s eyes held his. ‘I said I would show up.’
Marcus felt his smile bloom before he could stop it.
‘Good,’ he said softly.
Then he turned back to the crowd, lifted his clipboard, and walked into the centre of the ring.
For the first time all week, the smile on his face did not feel fixed, polished or performed.
It felt like his.
‘Right then,’ he called, as the crowd quietened. ‘Who’s ready for Most Pampered Pooch?’
Mrs Calloway immediately lifted Beau into the air.
The crowd cheered.
Marcus laughed, and this time, when he looked towards the quiet zone, Rowan was still there.
Still watching.
Still staying.
And Atlas stood beside him, steady as a promise.
Chapter eighteen
‘Wow. It looks so fresh, Marcus. The new coat of paint on the rendering really pops the cornflower blue.’
Marcus looked up at Rowan’s profile. His long lashes were tipped with gold from the morning sun. Marcus loved the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled.
‘I wanted to surprise you.’ He dug his hands into Atlas’s fluffy coat as he stroked him, then brought his nose close and inhaled it. ‘Mmmm, you make me want to drink a piña colada, Atlas.’
Rowan chuckled. ‘It’s a little early for that. Maybe at lunchtime. Do they make cocktails in the pub?’
Atlas turned around and licked Marcus’s face. ‘I love you too, handsome boy.’ Marcus got to his feet. ‘Why, are you planning on buying me lunch at The Cheese Wedge and Pickles?’
‘I am. I’m celebrating.’
