Page 9 of The Undercover Billionaire's Baby

Alice was chasing him in dizzy circles, around and around the kids’ nook table. He was loving the game, barking up a storm.

“Don’t chase him!”

Alice stopped dead. Wiener turned and jumped on her, paws on her chest. He sniffed her pockets. Jammed his nose in her face.

“Ugh, get him off.”

“Wiener, come here.” I slapped on my knees to attract his attention. He ignored me, still snuffling at Alice.

“He smells my lunch. Get off! It’s all gone.”

Wiener cocked his head at her, not understanding. I slapped on my knees again.

“Hey! I’ve got treats.”

That got his attention. He dropped to all fours. I grabbed him a milk bone from behind the counter.

“Over here, boy. Yeah, yeah, come get it.” I backed out the door and Wiener came bounding, and I grabbed his collar and turfed him outside. He stood snapping his milk bone with a big doggy grin. Mrs. Schneiderman came running.

“Oh, bad dog. Bad dog. Did he get in again? Lana, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s all right,” I said. “No harm done.”

“Still, I keep telling him… Oh, bad dog. Bad.”

Wiener wagged his tail, cheerful. Alice shook her head.

“He regrets nothing.”

“No, I’d say not.”

We watched Mrs. Schneiderman herd him inside, Alice still panting from her merry chase. She pushed back her hair, then let it fall loose.

“I thought schnauzers were supposed to be small.”

“Miniature schnauzers. He’s, like… a whole schnauzer.”

“He’s like two schnauzers, the mess he makes.” Alice headed back in. I followed, smiling. Wiener had knocked down an endcap and scattered some books, but other than that, the damage seemed minor. Alice had caught him before he could start chewing.

“I’ll grab the books,” I said. I bent to start clearing. Alice turned and frowned at me, her eyes gone narrow.

“Wait. Why are you down here? Did Brad leave already?” Her face fell, the picture of cruel disappointment. “Oh, was he awful? But he was so cute!”

“Yeah, so you said.” I patted my phone. “You had to text and say so while he was still there? It popped up right in front of him, all those heart-eye emojis.”

“But he left already? Wait, you’re blushing!” Alice pointed at me. “You liked him. What happened?”

“I didn’t like him,” I said, my neck going hot. “And I’m not blushing. That’s from chasing the dog.”

“But you didn’t chase him. And you’re blushing even harder.”

I turned my back on her, but it was too late. I could feel my face blazing, my cheeks fiery hot. “I thought he seemed nice,” I said, to distract her. “I got a good feeling about him, you know, as a lodger.” It felt important to specify that, given the context. “He seems, I don’t know.”

“Cute? Smoking hot?”

I flapped my hand at her. “Who says ‘smoking hot?’”

“Admit it. He’s gorgeous.”

---