Page 55 of Call it Fate

She took my jacket and hung it on the coat tree next to the door. “I should warn you, he’s in a mood, at least with me.”

That was unlike him. “Why?”

“Because the universe is conspiring against me.”

I chuckled at her dramatic expression. “How so?”

“Not only did Chase’s cat have kittens, but his best friend’s dog had puppies.”

“Ah. Let me guess. He wants one, and you said no.”

“Bingo.”

“Is there a reason? You know I’m going to say a pet is a good thing, right?”

“Et tu, Brute?” She gave me an exasperated look. “Do I look like I have the extra time to train a puppy? I can barely keep up as it is without adding to it.”

“Puppies are a lot of work,” I concurred. “A kitten would be easier. They’re more independent.”

But she shook her head. “I’ve already told him no. At least for now.”

“Well, I might have a solution.”

“If you say you’re going to get it for him, stop right there. I don’t need him learning that pouting gets him what he wants.”

“I agree. But I already have a dog.”

She frowned and cocked her head. “You do?”

“Milo. A friend has been watching him for me while I’ve been staying here, but now that I have a space of my own, I plan to bring him here.”

Her expression grew nostalgic. “Oh, the poor boy. He must miss you. You should definitely bring him here.”

“It can’t be for a few more weeks since I have to arrange for coverage, but I’m working on it.”

She nodded. “It will still give him something to look forward to while earning you cool points.”

We fell into a nervous silence once again. “Are you ready for this?” she asked.

“More than,” I answered. “Are you?”

Her head bobbed nervously, and instinctively, I placed my hand over hers, giving it a squeeze. She turned her hand and interlocked our fingers. She blew out a slow breath, then called, “Iain, Zach’s here.”

I heard a muffled “Oh, boy!” Then his bedroom door opened, and he ran into the room, sliding to a halt in front of us in his socked feet.

“Hi, Zach! Are you here to play with me?”

“Hey, kiddo. I’ll play a little later if you’d like.”

“But first, we need to talk to you,” his mom told him.

“Oh.” Iain’s face fell. “Did I do somethin’ wrong?”

“No.” I was quick to reassure him.

“No,” Em said more slowly. “This is more like good news.”

Iain’s eyes latched on to our entwined fingers. He cocked his head. “Is he, like, your boyfriend or somethin’?”

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