Page 55 of The Lucky One

My mind flashes back to Bailey as a pup, the way Iknewhe was mine from the moment he looked into my eyes.

I swallow the lump in my throat, the one that’s formed because we haven’t discussed what comes next. But we need to.

“Will you fly her back to Colorado?”

Bridget raises her head. “Why would I do that?”

“That’s where you live, isn’t it?”

“Doesn’t have to be,” she says, rubbing under the puppy’s chin. “We could try a rental here. Maybe just see where the road takes us.”

Finally, I can’t take it anymore, so I reach out and scrub the puppy’s head, relishing in the softness of her fur. It never lasts.

“What would you name her?”

“I’m not sure yet.” Her voice is low, soothing. “I always wanted a Lady.”

“She’s not a cocker spaniel, but her coloring works.”

She giggles. “Yes, it does. Maybe Willow?”

“I personally think that’s more fitting—but she’ll give you an idea pretty quickly of what fits.”

Bridget would do great with a dog or a cat. Goats even love her. But that golden retriever puppy curled up against her chest is exactly the dog I’d pick for her, if I could. I’m biased because of Bailey, but they’re great dogs. Loyal, protective. Giant teddy bears.

She’ll experience unconditional love. It’s healing.

“You’re not making a dig at the Taylor Swift reference or trying to talk me out of getting this dog.”

I chuckle. “I love that there’s a Taylor Swift era for every one of your moods, so why would I make a dig?”

The second her eyes lift to mine I realize what I said.

It wasn’t a formal ‘I love you’ but it was close enough. Not exactly how I planned on that going.

“Did you just casually drop the L-word at a St. Patrick’s Day adoption event?” she asks, her eyes glassy.

“It depends. Would that be a seriously uncool thing to do?” I grimace.

She inchworms over to me carefully, trying to not wake the puppy, then leans forward and kisses me. “No,” she whispers. “I appreciate the authenticity. And Imaybefeel the same way.”

“Maybe?” I raise an eyebrow.

She snorts, then ducks her head to cover the puppy’s ears. “Don’t make me laugh and wake her up.”

I went all in earlier in the week, so I might as well go all in now.

“I love you, Bridget Mitchell.”

She gasps and a lone tear travels down her cheek. Bailey whines so I jerk my head toward Bridget so he can comfort her and she laughs as he licks her.

I’m calling Cade when we get back to the house and groveling with a serious apology. The fact that I already love someone so much and that love will grow even more is mind boggling. I don’t know how I’ll have room for it.

“I love you too,” she breathes out.

“There’s probably things about me you’re not going to like?—”

“You forget that’s where I started. And I ended up here, anyway. We’ll figure it out as we go.”

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