Page 63 of Winning the Nightcap

“So, this is Bec?” The guy to his left asks. “I’m Roman, and this grump is Pete, don’t mind him. Great to meet you. I was promised there would be puppies here.”

“Uh, yeah,” I respond, still unsure what’s going on. “The youngest dogs are in the back section, over that way. We keep them in that area to make sure that our older animals have a chance to be seen as well.”

“I plan to post pictures with a few of the seniors, too, but I gotta get my puppy fix first. See ya later, Price,” Roman says with a clap on Aiden’s shoulder before striding away eagerly, the guy named Pete following him, shaking his head.

“Uh, what’s going on, Aiden?” I ask.

He tugs his hand over the back of his neck a few times before saying, “Please don’t be mad. I know you don’t want money from me, but there are other ways I can help. I asked a few of the guys on the team to stop by today and post some pictures from the event to help draw acrowd, maybe a few potential fans who may be looking to adopt a pet. They all agreed to link New Hope’s website, too, so that people who can’t come can still donate.” He drops his head back before looking at me and wrapping his strong hands around my shoulders. “Shit, you look mad…I can ask the guys not to post anything if it makes you uncomfortable. I thought…I just thought maybe it could help give you guys the boost you need—”

“Aiden, no,” I say to stop him. I place my hand on his chest, looking up into his worried gaze. “It’s just—I’m speechless. I don’t think anyone’s ever done anything like this for me before. Do you realize how helpful that kind of media attention would be for an organization as small as ours? Thank you for thinking of me. I mean…for thinking of New Hope. That was really thoughtful.”

His shoulders drop on a deep exhale, like all the weight just fell off him, and he hits me with one of his incredible smiles. I give him one of my own right back. I can’t believe he did this. Is this what it feels like to have a partner who supports you?

“I’m happy to help. Now, who should I post on my page.”

“I’ve got just the friend in mind. Follow me,” I say as I turn and lead Aiden to one of my favorite dogs. “Meet Charlie, she’s a twelve-year-old chihuahua with one eye, no teeth, no attitude, and no worries. She’s the biggest sweetheart in the place. All she needs is soft food, a warm bed, and a good snuggle.”

Aiden follows me into the kennel we have set up for Charlie, all of which are large enough for two people to visit each animal with a volunteer present. Aiden immediately drops to the floor, sitting next to Charlie. He waits for her to approach him in her own time. Of course, she doesn’t wait long before hopping onto his lap and smiling up at him like he’s her entire world. Aiden’s broad shoulders melt just a little, and he strokes her underneath her chin, gently showing her the affection she so desperately needs. Theadorable moment nearly wrecks a piece of me, driving huge cracks through the walls I’ve built around my heart, the ones I’ve been clinging to in hopes of keeping some distance between Aiden and me, just in case.

“This girl. Yeah, this girl needs to find a great home today.” He smiles up at me, handing me his phone. “Can you take one of us for me to post so people can find her on my page and fall in love like I just did?”

I’m helpless against a man with a dog. Guys tend to think they need a big dog with a tough personality to prove they’re tough, too, but they’re wrong. Show me a man tenderly holding a tiny, fragile senior dog and my heart is a puddle on the goddamn floor.

I snap a picture and Aiden takes a few minutes to post it on his page with a link to our website for donations and Charlie’s adoption information. One of the newer volunteers calls me over to help her with a family who wants to finalize an adoption, and Aiden kisses me on the forehead before returning to his teammates. The flurry of activity that began when they first arrived increases the longer they’re at the event. As time goes on, I can’t help but notice an influx of people, many of whom are wearing Columbus Aviators gear.

Abby and I meet up to bring out another dog we’ve been working with due to some hyperactivity. We do our best during the event to make sure the dogs that have needed more intensive training are seen by families as well, walking them around the area and talking through their more specific needs with potential adopters. While it might take us more time to find the right fit for the dogs Abby and I tend to work with, I can’t explain how rewarding it is to see it all work out when we get a good match. I’m convinced there’s a family out there for every dog, and you can’t convince me otherwise. When we get to witness them finding each other, it’s simply magical. A moment that I know changes all of their lives forever in the most special way.

I glance up and spot a group of women looking to be in their twenties,walking over to Aiden and his teammates. A flare of jealousy ricochets through my chest, sending sharp pains through my insides. I pause, reminding myself that Aiden has fans approach him all the time. This is nothing new to him, even though it’s weird for me to witness. It’s clearly something I’ll need to get used to if I plan to keep seeing Aiden. Besides, this is what we wanted. The guys’ media posts are working, and there are more people at this event than in any year I’ve seen.

The women wrap up their goodbyes with Aiden and the guys, and then go to the information table. Abby offers to continue walking the dog around, seeing that I can’t keep my eyes off Aiden.

As I approach him, I can hear the man Roman introduced as Pete politely declining to sign an autograph for a fan, but offering to do so outside after the event is over. I inwardly thank him for not creating what I’m sure would be a frenzy, and a distraction to the goal of the event. Aiden catches my eye over the head of a fan and shows me a huge smile before he returns his attention to the young boy, telling him about how he had the same jersey number as Aiden last summer while playing in his T-ball league.

“I hope you come back to the adoption fair next year and I get to hear all about your next killer season, little man. Remember to keep your glove down and eye on the ball.” The little boy’s parents thank Aiden, and head in the direction of our kid’s area where we have a few games and activities set up to help the kids learn about taking care of pets.

“Next year, huh? You making plans or something, Price?” I shove his shoulder playfully, ignoring the flutter in my stomach and the way my nerves are buzzing at the implication behind his words.

“Or something.” His expression changes, from sarcastic to something a little more thoughtful and serious. “There’s no way I’d miss this. It’s inspiring what you’re doing here. I’ve seen three families adopt animals today, and it reminds me of when I found Hopper.Watching someone meet the newest member of their family…that’s something special.”

“It is, isn’t it?” My heart swells knowing he understands just how important all of this is to the animals who are so deserving and ready to find their safe place in this world, and the lucky people whose hearts will grow with every goofy thing their new pet does as they get more comfortable with time. “I look forward to this moment every year.” I take a look around the event center, really taking it all in. It’s astonishing how full the place is, baseball players mingling with staff, volunteers, and families. The dogs getting more one-on-one attention than we’re able to provide at any given point during the year. The hopeful looks on children’s faces as they pass each kennel, tugging on their parent’s clothes and pointing excitedly.

“What you did today, Aiden…it was unbelievably thoughtful. Tonya, New Hope’s director, just pulled me aside to say they’ve received an overwhelming number of online donations in the last two hours. The relief on her face…I can tell she is going to sleep better knowing she can keep New Hope afloat during this transition period. You made that possible. I don’t know how to thank you.”

He steps toward me, only a few inches separating us. His voice lowers as he says, “What the guys and I did today wouldn’t mean anything without the work you do and the passion you have to help these animals. You’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met.” He brings a hand to my jaw, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “I didn’t do this so you would thank me. I did it so that you could feel how much I care about you, how much I want to see you succeed, and so that you know you can count on me. I want you to know that beyond any doubt.”

“I…I think I’m starting to see that.”

“Believe what you see. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

“That’s because with you, it is.”

He brushes my hair back, and then I feel his hand stroke down my arm until his fingers intertwine with mine. The closer I get to Aiden, the more having him at my side feels less like a risk and more like a comfort. Can I trust my heart that wants to fall for everything that he is and everything he says, or should I listen to my head warning me to wait for everything to fall apart? For now, I ignore the negative intrusive thoughts and let my heart race at the feel of his warm hand engulfing mine, and I squeeze his hand back loving the way it feels.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Bec

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