She studied him for a moment. “Is everything all right?”
“Of course it is. I just want you to know that you’re all I’ve ever wanted. And I’m so lucky to have you.”
Sunny smiled as warmth filled her. Actually, she thought she was the lucky one.
6
SPIKE AND MILLY
“Come on, Mr. Fluffy.” Millie tugged at Mr. Fluffy’s leash as she attempted to get him out the door. “We’re gonna be late if you don’t move.”
“Millie, leave him. I’ll get him,” Spike ordered as he walked out of the kitchen.
“I don’t know what his problem is. He loves barbecues. And picnics. I think it’s because he saw me pack his earmuffs. He hates the earmuffs.”
“Pretty sure he doesn’t need the earmuffs,” Spike said as he walked over.
“No, he never seems that bothered by loud noises,” she admitted. “But what if today is the one day he hates the sound of the fireworks? I’ll bring them just in case. That’s if he actually gets in the truck. I don’t want to leave him alone in case he freaks out.”
Spike stared down at Mr. Fluffy skeptically. “What would he do when he freaks out?”
“I don’t know. Maybe he’d run around? Pant? Cry?”
“All of those require energy. Think we’re safe.”
But Spike crouched down and picked Mr. Fluffy up in his arms and carried him to the backseat of the truck. Millie had a blanket and some pillows set up for him, as well as his favorite toy.
“See, Mr. Fluffy? I’ve got Ducky for you. You love Ducky!” She held the toy in front of his face, but he simply let out a huff and lay down.
“Why do you think that Ducky is his favorite?” Spike asked as he closed the back door, then helped Millie into the front seat.
She was wearing the Fourth of July dress that she’d made especially for this barbecue. It had a sweetheart neckline that was tight around the bust, then cinched in at the waist with a belt, before falling into a series of pleats.
The material was red, white, and blue striped. She thought it was pretty adorable, and she had a huge straw hat to protect her skin from the sun.
She’d found a red ribbon to wrap around the top of it.
Unfortunately, Spike hadn’t been keen on wearing the shorts that she’d made for him. Maybe they had been a bit tight across the bottom, and she could possibly see his concern about bending over and having them split at the seams. Although he’d suggested that she make a pair of them for herself. But only to be worn at home, where just he could see her.
And Millie thought that idea had some merit. She’d need to make a cute top to go with them.
Spike climbed into the driver’s side of his large truck and started down the driveway.
“Oh, it’s totally clear that Ducky is his favorite. You should just see the way he looks at him, with love in his eyes, and he cradles him close and carries him around.”
“Never seen Mr. Fluffy carry anything around that wasn’t food,” Spike said to her. “You’re the one that carries Ducky around.”
“Yes, but Mr. Fluffy wants me to carry Ducky around. I had really hoped he’d like the brontosaurus that I got him, but he doesn’t pay it any attention. He’s just a one-toy dog, you know? Like me. I’m a one-man girl.”
“Damn fucking straight you’re a one-man girl. You had any other man, he’d be dead right now.”
“You’re always so romantic, Spike,” she said, leaning over to rest her head on his shoulder.
Spike just grunted.
She didn’t know why people were so surprised when she said that Spike was romantic. It just wasn’t as obvious as things like flowers and chocolates. But she’d take him threatening to kill any man who acted inappropriately toward her over chocolates any day.
To Millie, that was true romance.
