Page 51 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

Garrett came over with the chopping board in hand. The dog sniffed, no doubt smelling the scent of primo steak in the air. He grabbed a sliver and then held it out. Bronson’s nose worked, a thin string of drool forming, but he didn’t move, not until Garrett got closer. The slice of meat hovered in the air and then snap…! The dog’s jaws snatched it from the air and he gobbled it down with an almost abashed air.

“Good dog!”

My voice was creaky but high pitched. Somehow, I couldn’t have been prouder than if Bronson was my own child. He looked up, shooting me a doggy grin as if to reassure me this was all very easy and straightforward, dismissing the fact I’d been low key panicking about the dog all day. His tail wagged as he stared up at me, then was quickly distracted by Rhys getting in on the act. He tossed the dog a piece of meat and damn me if the pup didn’t rise up on his back legs and snatch it from the air. He ate the meat with gusto and then turned around, looking for more.

“You're hungry now, mate?” Garrett asked, grabbing one of the brand new dog bowls. He shoved the rest of the steak in there and set it down before the dog. A moment of hesitation as he looked back over his shoulder at Katie, only for her to nod.

“Go on.”

He wolfed the meat down in seconds, then went to work licking the bowl clean.

“Shit.” I sank down into a chair. “Katie, I’m sorry. I literally tried everything. I didn’t want to call you and tried the vet instead…”

My voice trailed away as her hand came to rest on my arm. The need to flex beat down hard, but I didn’t. I just stared at those delicate little fingers, the pale skin contrasting with my more tanned arm.

“You didn’t want him to get sick or hurt.” I felt her eyes on me and couldn’t help but meet her gaze. “You care.”

“Didn’t really want a dog,” I grumbled, shooting Garrett a dark look. “A cat would’ve been easier, but…” I stared at the dog, shaking my head as he pulled away from his food and went and lapped up more water. “He’s a part of the family now. That means we need to make sure he has everything he needs.”

“So… This isn’t exactly what you signed up for,” Garrett said with a sheepish smile, “but would you be willing to help us settle him into the house? There’s a tray of the best lasagna in the city in it for you. Maybe some chocolate chip cookies?”

She sucked in a breath to refuse, I was sure of it, so I cut her off.

“Need your oil changed or your shower regrouted?” I asked, then shook my head internally at my offer. “I’m pretty handy with the tools.”

“I—”

“I’ve been told I’ve got magic fingers.” Rhys wiggled them in the air. We all shot him a dark look which forced him to explain. “Massages, I meant I could massage away any muscle pain.”

“If you’d all stop talking for a second.” Katie looked at all three of us. “I’d be able to say that of course, I’d help out.” She bent down and pressed a kiss to the dog’s forehead, forcing his tail to wag even faster. “Anything for my boy.”

Goddammit, I would’ve given anything to hear her say something similar about me. Fuck my life, I was jealous of a damn dog.

Chapter27

Katie

“Gym!” Mandie announced the minute I emerged from my bedroom the following morning.

“Absolutely freaking not.” I shuffled forward. “I can barely move right now. Yesterday was bad, but this…” I shot her a dark look. “I thought getting fit was supposed to make you feel better?”

“It does!” She blinked. “Well, after the muscle soreness wears off.” She shrugged. “Then sometimes you get some persistent joint pain or injuries.” That was waved away. “But you get stronger, fitter, faster.”

“I’ll settle for weaker, slower, and pain free,” I replied. “I’ve gotta go to work so I can do dumb stuff like pay rent.”

“And then gym?” she asked hopefully.

“I take it all back. You shouldn’t be a fitness influencer.” I waved my hand at her face. “You’re turning it into your whole personality. What about the little things in life like good movies and a pizza with all the toppings?”

“We could do that then.” She shot me a bright grin. “I’ll grab a bottle of wine and we can watchThe Notebookand ugly cry.”

“Now you’re talking…” Mandie peered at me as my voice trailed away. “Well, not straight after work.”

“Why not straight after work?” My sister’s smile grew carnivorous. “What’s going down when your shift ends?”

“Bronson’s finding it difficult to adjust—” I started to say.

“Bronson.” When her hands went to her hips, I knew I was in trouble. “I thought you found that dog a home. Is Rhys not looking after him? That’s not your job to take on, you know.”

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