Page 20 of Love You Too

“You sure you don’t mind watching him?” I’m grateful because I don’t have to concoct another reason to see her again, and I definitely want to see her again.

“Yep, it’s fine.” She looks me over from head to toe, much like she did when she first recognized me in the parking lot, and nods. “Sex and a dog. Feels like a win-win for Trixie.”

I can’t help but laugh at the nickname that most certainly doesn’t fit her type A personality. But she’s right about the win-win part, only I feel like the one who’s winning.

CHAPTER 7

Beatrix

I don’t knowwhat I was thinking. The last thing I need in my already-packed schedule is a dog. Or rather, the last thing I need is to be entangled with Dominick Renaldi. Why couldn’t I let one and done bedone?

Sex with him did cure me of the testy attitude I’d been sporting for weeks. Julie was right, which is why she’s the best assistant I’ll ever have and also why I’ll pay her bonuses on top of bonuses to keep her. I’ve been much more focused in the week since our afternoon of orgasms—much more able to put in the hours needed to finalize construction on the lobby of the inn. If all goes perfectly, we’ll be open right on time before PJ’s wedding.

But now I have Ren’s dopey dog to deal with, and I just may be falling in love with the furry little beast. Each morning, he slathers my face with kisses to wake me up. He’s been sleeping on the floor right beside my bed, which is where I put the fluffy new dog bed I bought after he’d been with me for only a day. I didn’tlike the way he looked splayed flat on the hardwood floor. Yes, I know he has fur on his belly, but my house gets cold at night, and I thought he could do better.

Ren keeps texting, thanking me and asking how Tru’s doing. I keep my responses brief and all-business.

Me: He’s fine

Ren: Just fine?

Me: He’s great

Ren: Hope he’s not causing trouble

Me: No, you’re the one causing trouble by texting me eighty times a day

Ren: Just being a doting dog dad

Me: Well, dog dad, you may need to up your game because he loves it at Trixie’s dog spa

Truman seems to be enjoying his new dog bed, so I send Ren photo proof. I send him a picture of Truman sleeping soundly on his bed and a second one of him racing through the vineyards with my niece, Fiona, who’s already asked her dad if they could get a puppy. Jax, my middle brother, was none too happy about that, but Fiona has him wrapped around her little finger. I wouldn’t be surprised if a new dog shows up at their house before Truman goes home. Jax’s fiancée Ruby is a dog lover, so it’s practically a done deal.

I text Ren a video of Fiona chasing Truman in a circle on the grass in her yard until she falls to the ground, exhausted and laughing. Then another video of him loping with her through the vineyards at sunset. A third of him sleeping on the rug at my feet while I watch an episode ofTop Chef.

What am I doing?

I barely have time to meet with the contractors at the inn andapprove the fall menus and event calendar at Butter and Rosemary. I’m rescheduling meetings in order to hike with the dog of my former boyfriend who I don’t even like. I should have my head examined for even considering dog sitting. Especially for Ren.

And yet, here I sit in my office at the restaurant, flipping through a binder of paint samples and thinking about what I’d do with the main house on Ren’s property. I’m mad at myself for letting him disrupt my thoughts at work. I’m even more mad at myself for doing him a favor after our history.

But I’m not doing it for Ren, I rationalize. It’s for Truman, because I can’t stand the thought of him in a crate.

Ren: Nice. Pretty sweet setup

Me: Yup

Ren: I’m a little jealous he got to see your bedroom before me

Me: Get over it because you’re never seeing my bedroom

In case he somehow didn’t get the memo, we are not going to have a repeat of last week. After he comes to get Truman, I doubt I’ll see him again. No future awkwardness, no questions about what things mean, no repeat performances. Even if we’re sharing custody of his dog while he’s with his mom.

Ren: You say that now, but a man can dream, no?

Me: A man should know better

Ren: He doesn’t

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