Page 80 of Fit for Love

I was talking to Ashton, of course, but Sir Ems is the first to react: he trots regally inside, sniffing everything on his way.

“He won’t cause mischief,” Ashton says, noticing my worried expression.

A concerned bark rings out from the living room, contradicting Ashton’s words.

Frowning, Ashton goes in—and starts cracking up.

I follow them and see why.

Sir Ems is barking at the sousaphone on display.

“Buddy, that’s just a musical instrument,” Ashton says soothingly.

Sir Ems pauses the barking but looks at the sousaphone distrustfully and then growls at it.

“Did you just get upset at your own refection?”Ashton asks.

Sir Ems looks at the shiny sousaphone again, then at his human, then back at the sousaphone, then back at Ashton.

Finally, the hackles on the back of the dog’s neck relax, and the smile-like expression comes back, as does the tail wag.

Just then, someone rings the doorbell, and Sir Ems runs over to the door, barking up another storm.

I glance at Ashton.“No mischief?”

“Sorry,” he says sheepishly.

“It’s fine.I kind of like it.”Though I considered myself as more of a dog person, that was all theory.Now I know for a fact that I like dogs.Or at least corgis.

“We should go get that,” Ashton says.“It’s probably the groceries I ordered.”

Ah.By the time I open the door, the delivery person has left—which instantly calms Sir Ems.

Ashton picks up the shopping bags and brings them to the kitchen.

“How do you feel about tacos?”he asks when I join him.

Upon hearing the word “tacos,” Sir Ems almost jumps in joy.

“I was actually asking Kendall,” Ashton tells the dog.“But you’re going to get one, for sure.”

“What kind of tacos?”I ask.

Given what might happen after, I’m not sure I want to eat something heavy, like pork.

“Roasted cauliflower, scallops, and shiitake mushrooms,” Ashton says.“With my signature guacamole.”

My stupid stomach rumbles.

Ashton grins.

“I skipped lunch,” I explain defensively.

“Oh?”He takes out a pack of soft tortillas and crunchy taco shells.“Why?”

I explain how I got into a flow while working.

“That’s great,” he says.“Will you show me what you’ve got so far over dinner?”

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