Page 151 of On The Rocks

I didn’t want to put a label on us, but it was so obvious that it was right there.

We were building a life together.

Hell, we even had a dog now. I kissed Elmer’s head. He felt as much mine as Griffin’s at this point.

From the second I saw him, I’d fallen in love with him. Was it because Griffin had cracked me open?

Or did Florida cement exactly what I hadn’t wanted to face?

Griffin came in, and I rolled onto my knees.

“Think I’m in trouble.”

He pulled off his sweatshirt and tossed it on the bench. “What did you do?” He lifted one foot to peel off his sock.

Elmer popped up to stand beside me, his hot dog breath on my thigh making me laugh. “I love you.”

“What?” He tripped and went down.

“Griffin?” I crawled to the end of the bed and peered down. “Are you okay?”

Elmer hopped down and went right to licking his face.

“I’m fine. Let me up.”

Elmer, excited and thinking they were playing, planted his paws on Griffin’s shoulders, pinning him to the floor.

“Elmer!” He tried to push him back, but his tongue would not be denied.

I slipped off the bed and pushed Elmer off to straddle him.

Griffin pulled me down to him.

“No, not the slobber.” I held my head away.

Elmer barked and I got the same treatment.

“No! Help.”

Griffin rolled us over, so he was on top. “Say it again.”

Elmer’s hot breath wafted my way. Griffin shoved Elmer back. “One second, buddy.”

He plopped down with a harumph.

I laughed.

He grabbed my hands and pinned them down on the rug. “Say it again.”

The giggles bubbled up and so did a few tears. “I love you.”

He lowered his mouth to mine, lacing our fingers on the rug. “I love you too.”

“Say it again.”

“Pretty sure your ears work just fine.”

He buried his face in my neck, using his beard to tickle me. I arched my back, trying to get him off me. And that was far too much playing for Elmer to resist. He jumped on top of Griffin and they smothered me on the floor with laughter and kisses.

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