Page 26 of The Billionaire's Pawfect Match

“Is this his spot now?” I ask, forcing my eyes back to Baxter.

“Sometimes. He just loves the warmth from the dryer.” Isaac shrugs, grinning when Baxter begins to lick his hand.

The moment seems so tender and raw; it knocks the breath from my lungs. The man of high towers and stronger walls is transformed into a soft-hearted man who kisses his dog’s head.

“What?” he asks, noticing my gaze.

I shake my head slowly. “It’s just… you seem to actuallylikehim now.”

Isaac looks sheepish. “He’s grown on me. You were right. He is a good dog.Iwas the one who was doing things wrong.”

“I don’t think I put it that way…”

“But I am.” He stands and leads us into the living room. “Can I get you anything?”

“I’m okay, thanks. You ready to get started?”

Am I imagining his disappointment? If it’s real, what is it over? I’m here to train the dog, not do anything else… right?

Turning away under the guise of digging out treats from my bag, I hide my pink face. I really need to get myself together.

We jump into the familiar routine, going through all the standard commands. They’re a team now, Isaac and Baxter. In sync. It’s beautiful to watch. Isaac gives a command, Baxter obeys. Seamless.

“Good boy!” Isaac praises, and Baxter beams up at him with all the love in the world.

“Looks like you won’t need me much longer,” I say, half-joking, but the words tumble into the room heavy with truth.

“Emily, don’t say that,” Isaac replies, but he knows it too.

There’s a tightness in my throat. This is why I do this — to see human and dog grow, bond. Yet, each success is a goodbye waiting to happen. Sooner or later, Isaac and Baxter won’t need me anymore, and there will be no reason for me to see them. Our time together will be over.

I look away, watching the city lights flicker alive outside the window, feeling the weight of every ending nestled in my chest. A lump forms in my throat, but I push it away. Later, alone in my bedroom, I’ll let the feelings rise up. But not here. Not now.

“Let’s try something new,” I suggest, clinging to the moment, desperate to stretch the seconds into hours.

I reach down, fingers grazing the soft fabric of the treat bag. Isaac’s hand is there too, skin against mine in an electric slide of contact. My breath hitches. I look up, meet his eyes. Blue swirled into green like deep ocean waters, they hold a question I’m not ready to answer.

“Sorry,” we both mutter.

“Hey…” He clears his throat.

“Yes?” My breathing hitches.

“I want to?—”

The room plunges into darkness, and I gasp in shock at just how dark it is. It’s not just Isaac’s apartment or building, though.Thanks to the huge living-room windows, we can clearly see that it’s the whole city.

“A blackout,” Isaac says.

“Yeah.” How isthatfor timing?

I bite my lip, wishing I could ask him what he’d been about to say, but knowing that I don’t have the courage. Baxter presses his side against me, and I reach down to burrow my fingers into his thick fur.

“Let me find some light,” Isaac says, voice close but moving away.

I nod before remembering he can’t see it. “Okay.”

We shuffle, fumble. A dance of two people and one dog lost in a space they thought they knew. My arm brushes Isaac’s chest, solid and warm. My heart races — too fast, too loud. Can he hear it? Feel it?

---