Page 101 of Loving You

“If you say Shadow, I’m stealing it.”

“No! What if I get a dog someday? Then what? Our dogs will have the same name.”

“Yep. Shadow!” I yell, not giving her any time to argue with me.

The boy pup in her lap yelps and licks her right across the mouth.

Quinn falls back with a laugh.

I think we have a winner.

We pull backinto Lovers by mid-afternoon, and instead of driving straight for the shop, I drive down Main Street and park in front of the bakery.

“What are we doing here?”

“I’m grabbing some snacks for later.”

“Do they make dog treats?”

“Not for the dog,” I laugh. “For me.”

I get out before she asks more about it. Today has been oddly relaxing, and the company has far exceeded my expectations.

Brooke is behind the cash register today. Her hands go to her hips instantly. “Miles, hey, where have you been all day?”

“Why? Did I miss something good?”

Shakes her head. “Unless you’re referring to Luca blowing a gasket that your shop was closed today, then no.”

I chuckle.

“So, where were you?”

“Yeah, where were you?” a voice from behind me asks, and I spin to find Luca himself standing in the doorway.

“If the two of you must know, I went to Wind Valley to get a dog.”

“For who?” my brother asks, and I glare at him.

“For myself.”

“A dog, really?”

“Yes, really. Why is that so hard to believe?”

“Dogs are a big responsibility.”

“Your point?”

“My point is, you work a lot. What’s it going to do, sit in your shop with you all day?”

I nod. “Yes.”

Luca crosses his arms, but instead of waiting to see what he’s going to say next, I give Brooke my order. She rings me up, cashes me out, then hands me my goodies.

Luca is still standing in the same spot.

“Anything else?” I ask.

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