Page 226 of Vegas Heat

Her big brown eyes lock on mine, and she licks my chin.

“I’ll take her,” I say, and Nicole sets me up with Darlene so we can get the paperwork rolling.

She sets me up with all the supplies I need, from toys and food to a bed and a crate to keep her safe in the car, and the house is empty when I get back home.

I set up her bed in a corner of the family room, and I find a spot for a food bowl and water dish in the kitchen. I take her out to the yard to do her business, and I reward her with a treat when she does her thing. She snuggles onto my lap, and when the door opens a short while later, she jumps down and starts barking.

“Is that…is that a dog I’m hearing?” my dad asks when he walks in.

I giggle as the puppy runs over to him and starts running circles around his legs. He reaches down to pick her up, and she licks his chin.

“Oh my God, Gabby, she is the most adorable pup I have ever seen!” Joanie squeals.

“She’s yours, Dad,” I say.

He looks from the puppy back to me. “She’s mine?”

“The doctor said having a pet is a great way to reduce stress, so Joanie and I thought it would be a good idea to get you a puppy,” I explain.

“I love her already,” he says.

“What are you going to name her?” I ask.

He glances at Joanie, and then he says, “Ruby Sue.”

She bursts out laughing. It must be some inside joke between the two of them.

“Does that have some significance?” I ask.

“It’s after the girl inNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” Joanie says. “It was on TV last night.”

I giggle. “Ruby Sue it is, then.” I watch my dad with her and Joanie, and I can’t help but think what an adorable little family they’re creating together—a family I’m a part of.

Now if I could just get the nerve up and find the right moment to tell my dad about the next generation of this family that I’d like to create someday with Cooper, we’ll be all set.

CHAPTER 13: GABBY

Joanie calls her realtor friend to get her house up on the market then heads home to pack a few boxes of essentials.

Cooper helps since my dad isn’t supposed to be lifting heavy things, and we order in dinner from Desmonds. It’s as we’re sitting around the dinner table that Cooper says, “My family is coming into town for the holiday. I’d love if you all joined us for Thanksgiving on Thursday.”

My heart pounds in my chest. I love the idea of spending the holiday with Cooper, but what I don’t love as much is the idea of doing it with my dad there. That would mean Cooper’s entire family would have to keep up the lie about our relationship in front of my father, and that’s just not fair to anyone.

Joanie glances at me first and then my dad. “I think it might be a little much for Troy, but you should go, Gabby.”

Relief rushes through me.

My dad nods. “I agree. It hasn’t even been two weeks since the draft, so I should probably stay home a bit longer. But bring me some turkey.”

“I bought a turkey,” Joanie protests. “I’m cooking for you!”

My dad winks at me. “Bring me some turkey,” he whispers.

We all get a laugh out of that, and I turn toward Cooper. “Count me in. I’d love to see your family again.”

He nods. “They adored you when your dad sent you to hang with us in Chicago.” He says the words carefully—as if he purposefully chose to remind us all that my father was the one who pushed me to go to Chicago.

“I adored them as well. I can’t wait to catch up with Marissa.” I was only there a few days, and most of it was spent at thehospital, but I felt a bond form between Marissa and me in that short time, like if we had the chance to get to know one another in a different environment, she could become like a sister to me.

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