Page 42 of Finding Noah
He’s not wrong. So fight the instinct to argue—sometimes it’s okay to hear the truth—even if it makes you uncomfortable. “Thank you.”
“You think I’m bullshitting you. I’m not. All pale skin, tousled red hair, stunning green eyes. I’ve always taken you for granted. You’re Christian. My Christian. My best friend.”
Panic welled within me. “I still am, Noah. Nothing’s changed.”
With a chuckle, he ran his hands though the cum on his chest and licked his finger. “You tell yourself that.”
“I need to get cleaned up.” I tucked myself back into my pants and headed upstairs to the shower.
Nothing’s ever going to be the same again.
Chapter Twelve
Noah
Isat there, blissed out, for quite some time.
Finally, I grabbed a paper towel from the table and did a passable job of cleaning up. I’d take a shower later. For now, I needed to get out of the house. I whistled, and three pups appeared.
Well, Stormy came immediately, with Sable and River trailing behind.
I gave them my most winsome smile. “Who’s ready for training?”
Stormy dropped to her butt and waited for a treat.
“Good girl.” I let her lip one off my hand.
Then I gave the hand signal forsit.
Of course, I had to guide the younger two into the position. Soon, though, I rewarded them. “Why don’t we go out to the training pen?”
Stormy eyed me.
“You’ll manage without something every time.” I snagged three training leashes and headed out.
After a fashion, Stormy followed.
River and Sable followed as well. Wherever the older dog went, they were quick to follow. That might work for now, but there’d come a time when Christian would want just Stormy, and everyone shouldn’t get too attached…
My heart seized at even the idea that my best friend might leave.
What did you expect? That you’d grow old together here? Never meet someone else? That neither of you would, at some point, want space of your own? How ridiculous is that?
I put Stormy and Sable into thesitposition while I clipped the leash to River and gestured for us to walk.
He balked, instead trying to get back to his sister.
Who ran forward to meet him and to glare at me as if to sayhow dare you separate us?
And you thought getting two was a good idea.I’d never had two, and I figured training them couldn’t be that much more difficult than training one—which was, admittedly, the most I’d ever had.
About twenty minutes later, the younger dogs were tuckered out and their attention was completely used up. I placed them in a smaller pen—with a couple of food puzzles—while I worked with Stormy. Whip-smart and eager to please, she was a delight to deal with. That relieved me because I didn’t want Christian to grow tired of her. I could manage three dogs, of course, but having back-up felt like something smart to do.
Which circled me back to my best friend.
I put out bowls of water for the dogs.
Is he right? Have I only ever chosen men who look like me?The sentiment felt wrong, but evidence proved him right. I didn’t want todelve too deeply, except a pattern was emerging. No wonder Christian never thought he had a chance. He was a nice guy. I never managed to pick nice guys. Maybe I felt I didn’t deserve better? Because tons of super-nice guys were out there—I just happened to pick a lot of duds.
