Page 15 of Wild Dreams

Joey stood up straighter. "Did he know I was coming?"

Marigold laughed, clearly used to kids. "I think he did. He wiggled his butt as soon as he saw you."

Joey immediately attempted to pet Oakley on the head, but I moved to stop him. "Let him smell your hand first."

"Oakley's super sweet. But if you were meeting a dog for the first time, you should let them sniff your hand like this first." Marigold held her hand out for Oakley, and Joey mimicked her movement. Except Oakley licked his hand, then nuzzled it with his head in a clear attempt to get Joey to pet him.

"I think he likes you," Marigold said to him.

Joey dropped to the ground, and I knelt next to them, adjusting my duty belt.

Oakley crawled all over Joey's lap while he giggled and tried to avoid his tongue. Then Oakley spotted me. He stood on my thighs, wiggling his butt, and sniffed my chin. "Aren't you handsome?"

Marigold's eyes were bright. "He is a handsome boy. I'm not sure how I'm going to let him go back to the shelter after today."

I scratched behind his ears. "I told you that you should adopt him."

Her nose scrunched. "It's probably not a good idea. I work long hours at the library and now the theater."

I didn't like her working so much, especially when the theater job was essentially volunteer. "I've heard dogs are good for your health."

"Hey, I'm the one who's supposed to convince someone to adopt." Our gazes met and held.

Marigold looked away first. "So what do you think, Joey? Does your dad want a puppy?"

Joey shook his head. "He'd probably say something about them costing too much money."

It wasn't that the Wildes were short on money, but Oliver was more conscious about that sort of thing.

Marigold scooped Oakley into her arms. He rolled on his back with his feet in the air like he was a baby. "Some things are priceless."

Marigold holding a dog was giving me ideas. Ones where she held our child. I hadn't even kissed the girl, and I could already imagine a life with her. I needed some space. "Are you hungry, buddy?"

Joey groaned. "I'm starving."

We all chuckled, and then I said, "Let's go eat."

A woman behind the table said, "Marigold, why don't you take your break too? You must be hungry."

Marigold handed the pup to another volunteer and told him, "Be good." Then she turned to find us waiting for her.

"You going to the food trucks?" I asked her as we walked in that direction.

"I keep smelling those Old Bay fries."

"I'll get you some. You want a burger too?" I asked, pulling out my wallet as we got into line.

"Oh, you don't have to get it. I have money."

"I'm paying." I didn't allow women to pay while they were with me, whether I was dating them or not. "You're volunteering your time today for the community. It's the least I can do."

"You're sweet. Thank you, Chance."

My name on her tongue sounded nice. I wanted her to scream it while I was licking her pussy. I shook my head mentally to clear the image of her legs spread while I drove my tongue inside her sweet heat. Since when did I think dirty thoughts about my sister's best friend?

"What do you want, buddy?" I leaned down to ask Joey, even though I knew his order by heart.

"Chicken fingers. Duh." Joey rolled his eyes.

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