Page 17 of Merry with a Single Dad

“Chris, that’s not funny,” I said, fighting my smile as I put the mayo, mustard, turkey, and cheese back in the fridge.

“It’s hilarious,” Cassie said, nudging me with her elbow.

“I thought Celine would get a kick out of it, but this one”—he jerked his thumb at me—“told me she’d kill me if I said anything of the sort.”

“Actually,” I said, “I told you I’d takeyouin with Luke to get neutered.”

“Ouch,” Cassie said, her loud laughter filling the room again as Chris cupped his manhood. “Why didn’t you take him in already, Chris?”

I rolled my eyes. “Typical guy.”

“You know, it calms most dogs down when you fix them, right?” Cassie asked.

“It’s not just that.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “I thought maybe I’d breed him if money got tight. I took a huge pay cut coming down here.”

“Aww,” she crooned, her eyes volleying back and forth between Chris and me.

“I didn’t know that,” I said, feeling the guilty bubbles gurgling in my tummy.

Chris diverted his gaze. “It’s not a huge deal. But, just in case, you know.”

“So, your dog’s your backup plan?” Cassie asked.

He laughed and said, “I guess I better come up with a different one. Luke won’t stop humping everyone.”

“Luke started in on Chris’s leg this morning,” I explained.

Cassie sputtered a laugh and patted Chris’s shoulder when he looked morosely at his dog, who was currently sniffing Moose. “Luke, no!” he said, clapping his hands in the hope that it would discourage him from mounting hisbrother.

Hearing his name, Luke’s ears perked up. He pranced over to his master, smiling the way dogs do when they’re happy.

“Please stop humping them,” Chris said.

Meeting my eyes, Cassie and I raised our hands and mimed snipping actions.

“Sorry, bud.” Chris looked at Luke and released a defeated sigh. We both knew the argument was moot at this point. “Although,” he started again, suddenly inspired.

“No,” I said, shaking my head, already knowing where he was headed. “Uh-uh.”

“Em, come on,” Chris’s warm brown eyes softened the way they did when he tried to appeal to me.

My body sagged with guilt. I didn’t want to be the kind of partner who dictated things. That wasn’t the kind of relationship I wanted. “Can we discuss it later?” I asked.

“Sure,” he answered, meeting my lips with a tender kiss before sending Luke the kind of look a parent sends their kid when they’re misbehaving. “I’m just glad Celine reacted the way she did.”

“I can’t believe it. I was so scared she’d fire me. But she’s over the moon about Gigi’s pregnancy. She thinks it’sthe most wonderful thing,” I said, attempting to replicate her beautiful accent.

Cassie shook her head, pressing her lips together. “Leave the French to Celine, honey.”

“And to me,” Chris added, waggling his eyes at me.

“Good one,” my best friend said on a laugh before high-fiving my boyfriend.

“Idiot,” I said with perfect French precision.

“Ooh là là,” Cassie said. “Très bien.”

“I resent that statement,” Chris said, grabbing my waist and tickling my sides. “I happen to think I’m pretty smart. After all, I fell in love with you.”

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