Page 47 of Perfectly Grumpy

“Nobody important,” she says, taking another bite of her breadstick.

“Lucas Waldron was a forward for another team when Lauren first got hired as a PR assistant,” Dave explains. “After they broke up, she always said she’d never fall for an egotistical athlete again.”

“I didn’t say it like that,” she says, her cheeks flushing slightly.

“Oh, I think your exact words were ‘a cocky athlete with an ego so big it could be mistaken for a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.” He chuckles, then catches Lauren’s expression and adds more gently, “We all make those mistakes, honey.”

“You’d think I learned my lesson the first time,” she says.

“Well, I’m glad you have a partner for the Family Olympics,” Dave says.

Lauren frowns, then stammers, “I’m not sure Tate can stay for the games, Dad.”

“Oh, I’m staying if you’re staying,” I say. “After all, I’m very good at the water balloon toss.”

“Well, then it’s settled!” Dave says. “Everyone has a partner now. Perfect. I’m so glad you came, Tate,” he says, giving me a wave before he and Patty leave.

As soon as they’re out of earshot, Lauren leans forward. “How could you do that?”

“Do what?” I ask.

“Offer to be my partner. Get their hopes up.”

“I thought you wanted to do this for your mom,” I say, remembering how much she didn’t want to abandon her promise.

“But you rented a cabin to work on your secret project which means you should bethere. Not giving my family…expectations.”

“Expectations?” I frown. “It’s one week. Not a marriage proposal.”

“To my family, one week practicallyisa marriage proposal,”she says. “So go back to your cabin in the woods before people start feeling invested in us.”

“Here’s the thing,” I say. “I didn’t realize the cabin washere.”

“What?” she almost grinds out.

“I just booked it online after searching for a cabin nearby to rent. It wasn’t until I got to the place that I realized I was next door to you. Same owners, same property.”

She stares at me. “You mean the rustic cabin in the woods? I thought the owners never rented it out during the week we’re here.”

I shrug. “Apparently, they do.” It felt too coincidental to ignore. Like I was given an opportunity to return the favor after she helped me.

“I hope it’s okay that I brought Annie along,” I say, ruffling the dog’s head. “She seemed really lonely at the shelter, and James is desperate for more kennel space. He told me the sponsor’s check I got at the last hockey game will only last a month or two, if he’s lucky. He’s worried he’s going to have to close for good.”

“The shelter might shut down?” Lauren stares at me, genuinely concerned. “What happens to the dogs then?”

“They would transfer to a new shelter, if there’s room.”

“And if there’s not?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know.”

“Annie too?” Lauren asks, her voice softening as she watches the puppy sniff around under her chair. She reaches down to stroke Annie’s fur.

“Yes, her too,” I say. “Most of the area shelters are already overcrowded and under-resourced. Honestly, your family’s donation couldn’t have come at a better time.”

“She’d be all alone again,” Lauren says quietly, almost to herself. Something in her expression changes as she watches Annie. “Shuffled off to someplace new. No one who really knows her.”

“Yeah,” I say, watching Lauren’s face carefully. “Dogs need consistency. Somewhere they belong.”

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