Page 31 of Playoffs & Promises

"Yeah," Lia chimes in, just as loud. "Open up."

Cinnamon's tail wags excitedly as she follows me to the door, her happiness and curiosity making it hard for her to stay still.

"Sit," I command, pointing to the spot beside me. She obeys, her eyes locked on the door, even as her body vibrates with eager energy.

I barely get the door cracked open when it's shoved wide, and Hannah barrels through. Cinnamon whines, torn between staying where she's told and greeting the intruder.

Hannah pauses, her mouth open no doubt to start ranting, and stares at the dog at my feet. "When did you get a dog?" she asks, surprise in her voice.

"She's not mine," I say, though it comes out lacking conviction. "It's just temporary."

Laughter echoes from the hallway, drawing my attention. Turns out it's not just Hannah and Lia. They brought reinforcements. Nate, Dan, Alexis, and a short woman with purple hair I don't recognize stand outside my door in the hallway.

Dan is the one who laughed. "That's how we ended up with Mittens."

"Mittens?" Lia asks, puzzled.

Alexis smiles, "Our cat."

The stranger chuckles, pulling out her phone and typing something quickly before the grumpy guy standing behind her plucks it from her hands. He's big enough he'd give me pause if we met on the ice, and I have no idea how I didn't see him before.

"Hey!" she protests, pouting, "I need that."

"What did I say about no phones?" He grumbles at her as he starts fiddling with her phone.

I'm just about to step forward and intervene to help get her phone back, when Hannah places a hand on my arm. "Lou meet my friend and client Susannah, and Rex, her bodyguard. She's currently supposed to be on an electronics ban."

"I can't help it when inspiration strikes," Susannah says, shrugging off her bodyguard's warning before turning to me. "Just ignore him, it's what I do."

Cinnamon whines softly, reminding me she's still waiting for the okay to move. I step back and open the door wider, inviting everyone inside. At least the cake is safely hidden away in the fridge, out of sight and out of reach.

"What brings all of you to my apartment?" I ask as they shuffle in, filling the already crowded living room.

Cinnamon takes this as her sign to move, bounding exuberantly from person to person seeking attention. Lia immediately drops to her knees, happily obliging her.

"If you need a dog walker," Nate says, "Penelope would be over the moon."

I appreciate his offer, but I already have Maria who's volunteered. "I'll keep that in mind."

Moving to the couch area, I shift Cinnamon's blanket to create more space. Then I sit down and wait for everyone else to follow. Lia settles next to Nate, which puts her right in Cinnamon's target zone. At the perfect height for dog kisses, Cinnamon proceeds to start licking at her face. Lia giggles, throwing up her hands in self-defense, but it's no use.

"Cinnamon down," I command.

Reluctantly, Cinnamon retreats, lying at Lia's feet, still watching for her next chance to pounce. I grab a rope toy from the basket tucked under the coffee table and toss it to Cinnamon to play with. Hoping it will distract her for a while.

"Really?" Hannah asks, her voice filled with disbelief, and I can see she's put the pieces together. "This is Cinnamon."

I shrug, trying to play it cool.

"Oh Mom is going to love this," Hannah says, shaking her head. "I'm going to be her favorite child."

Susannah leans over to Alexis. "I don't get it."

Alexis looks just as puzzled as the rest of my friends.

Hannah waits to see if I'm going to explain, and when I don't start talking she crosses her arms. "For the last year, Lou's told our Mom he's been 'seeing' Cinnamon. The request to bring her to Thanksgiving nearly sent my Mom into a fit, because she thought he's been seeing, and I quote, 'some gold-digging hussy'."

"Mom never said that," I protest.

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