Page 88 of Laugh

“Fine, but you have to love what I got you. Please. I think it’s perfect,” I tell him, scrubbing my body and quickly rinsing off.

“I can’t wait,” he says with a grin.

The moment we’re out of there, dried and dressed, he’s practically dragging me out of the bedroom.

“Jesus, what is it? Like a bomb or something that’s going to go off in three minutes unless we disarm it for me to get to my pre–”

The sound of a tiny yip cuts me off, and I freeze.

Beau flashes me a huge, toothy grin as he walks around the counter in the kitchen, leans down for a moment, then stands.

Captain Thor is holding a tiny, dark gray, curly haired puppy in his arms.

And it’s looking right at me. Tilting my head to the side, the little guy literally does the exact same thing and I absolutely lose it.

“Oh my fucking God!You got me apuppy?”

Chapter 34

Her Laugh

Beau

“Oh my fucking God!You got me apuppy?”

Haddie’s cry pierces my ears, and I wince, covering the puppy’s ears. “Careful, you’re going to scare him,” I warn, pulling my hand away quickly when he nips my fingers. “Fuck, ouch little buddy,” I scold, shaking out my hand.

My girl is at my side before I can blink, reaching out for him. I already know he’s going to be a little shit because instead of nipping, he licks her fingers like a madman.

Haddie’s giggle comes out uncontrolled and I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen herthishappy before. This time, she whispers when she asks, “Oh my God, Beau, you actually got me a puppy?”

There’s a small moment of pure fear that she actually wouldn’t want him, but the utter devotion on her face tells me I’m being ridiculous. She’s never mentioned that she wanted a dog. After grilling her brothers for hours, I learned she asked for one for years growing up, but Deborah always said no, claiming an allergy to them.

I know I knocked this gift out of the ballpark when she blinks away a few tears, completely overcome. The puppy fights against my hold. Haddie’s broken cry of happiness when she reaches out her arms for him absolutely melts me.

“I love him so much! You know who he looks like?” she asks, never taking her eyes off of him. Once she’s got him settled in his arms, his little tongue darts out, delivering kisses all over her face and she laughs with unadulterated glee.

Leaning against the counter, I cross my arms and watch the two of them get to know each other. “Who does he look like?”

Sniffing, she rubs her eyes across her shoulder and smiles back at him, pressing kisses to his head. “He sort of looks like Marcus. With all the curly hair hanging in his head. Skinny and a little unkempt. Plus, with those brown eyes, he looks just like him.”

Snickering, I study the dog and realize there is a bit of resemblance. “Maybe a bit. I can see it.”

“Have you named him?” This time, she looks up at me, eyes sparkling with happiness.

Shaking my head slowly, I move closer to put an arm around her. I want to hold her, but I know this is all I’ll get at the moment while the puppy attempts to taste every inch of her skin. I don’t blame him. This woman tastes divine.

“I haven’t. I wanted you to pick it out. He’s your dog.”

“Barkus.”

I blink at her. “Barkus? Seriously?”

“Mhmm,” she tells me, now nose to nose with her dog. “Rhymes with Marcus. It’s pretty perfect, right?” She looks up at me owlishly and I know to say the only answer I’ll be allowed to give her.

“It’s. Perfect,” I grit out with a forced smile. It’s a ridiculous name and I can’t believe she’s going to make me call him that.What man in his right mind would be comfortable calling out for ‘Barkus’ to come back inside? None. Not a single one.

There’s a spark of evil in her eyes, and I know she’s done it on purpose. “Perfect.” She lets the world roll off her tongue, purring it out with so much promise now that I’ve agreed.

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