Page 52 of Breakaway

It’s just a dog.Why am I reacting like this? Would it have been better to walk in on her spending time with her ex in my apartment? Of course not. I should be grateful it’s just the dog. But it’s her ex’s dog, dammit!

Taking a deep breath, I take off my sneakers and pad into the living room, pulling my suitcase after me. Nevaeh sits on the couch, petting the dog, who lies beside her. Not paying me any attention, she continues to watchPeaky Blinderswith an unreadable expression on her face. Except maybe anger. That is clear, given how quickly her chest rises and falls. I pissed her off. Again.

Voz’mi s polki pirozhok, Roma?1. You deserve it.

After puttingmy things into the washing machine and taking a quick shower, I get dressed and walk out of my room, holding my hands behind my back. My hair is still wet, sticking out in all different directions no matter how many times I try to tame it. I need a haircut.

Nevaeh is on the couch, watching TV and holding a mug with something steaming between her palms. The dog lifts its head, its beady eyes following my every step.

Coming closer, I stop in front of the couch and extend a box of Sour Patch Kids to her. “This is for you.”

She looks up, her lips twisting in a scowl. “It’s kinda small for a peace offering.”

“Then how about this?” I show her the plush toy I bought for her. A Sulley.

Nevaeh’s eyes grow wide, her pupils dilating. Slowly, she puts the mug on the coffee table and takes the toy in her hands. A smile quirks up my lips as I watch her in silence. Looks like I was able to surprise her…in a good way.

“Roman…” She peers at me. “Thank you.”

“I hoped you’d like it.”

“Like it? I love it. It looks exactly like my Sulley.” Nevaeh grins at me, the toy pressed tightly to her chest.

“Am I forgiven?”

Her melodic laughter fills the room. “For now.”

Chuckling, I glance at the dog, who’s standing on the couch, his two front paws on her knee. “Think you can introduce us?”

Nevaeh meets my gaze, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. It’s simple eye contact, but everything in me comes to life. I’m so attracted to her, it’s like an obsession. No one else matters. Nothing else matters. Only her and what she wants. And damn if I don’t want her to want me.

“Happy, this is Roman,” she tells the dog with an adorable little beam on her lips. I extend my hand to the dog and let him smell me. He studies me with a very serious expression. “This is his apartment, Happy. He’s a good guy.”

The dog tilts his head to the side, as if trying to figure out what she just said. The quickest glance in my direction follows, and he starts wagging his tail.

“Good boy,” Nevaeh says, petting the dog. Looking up at me, she smiles, fire dancing behind her irises. “I think he likes you.”

“I think he does.” I put my hand on the dog’s fur; its softness forces a smile onto my face. “My mom has a Pomeranian. I gave it to her for her birthday two years ago because she wanted one so badly. Not sure our cat was happy about it though.”

“You never said you had a dog and a cat back home.” Nevaeh shifts a little to let me sit down beside her on the couch.

“Didn’t think it was important.” I shrug as Happy starts licking my fingers, making me ticklish. “The dog’s name is Adele, because my mom loves Adele’s music.”

“And what’s the cat’s name?”

“Mickey. My niece suggested it, and my mom agreed.” I lean back against the couch, and the dog climbs onto my lap and puts his paws on my chest. “You’re quite a resourceful little fella, aren’t you?”

“Oh, he is. He knows all the ways to make you do whatever he wants.”

“Talking from experience?” I arch an eyebrow, and she gives me the cutest smile. She’s still clutching Sulley to her chest.

“Maybe.”

“How did he end up here?”

“After I met with Travis in the park, he promised to keep his distance,” she says, holding my gaze. My fingers absentmindedly move along the dog’s fur. “And he has. But it just happened that I ran into him in the elevator after work on Friday. I was lonely, and I told him I missed this little furball. So Travis let me take him home.”

“When do we need to bring him back?”

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