Page 17 of Love in Training
Theo shrugs. “You could move.”
I close my eyes and exhale. “I’ve told you, I love this place. I’ve only been here a year.”
Also, I couldn’t afford to move.
“You might be safer,” he says.
I grit my teeth. “Look, I got a camera at your insistence. I take self-defense classes. I carry pepper spray. And now I havethis.” I gesture to the dog, who’s nosing the now-empty bowl across the floor. “Which I doubt will really help anything.”
Theo’s expression darkens. “When was the last time you charged your front door camera? Because my app says your battery’s dead.”
Crap.I go to the door and unfasten the battery pack, then plug it in on the counter. Normally, I never let it run down. But the one time I forget, of course Theo is here to check.
“Look, I know you’re as safe as you can be.” His voice gentles. “But when I’m in another hemisphere of the globe next week, I’ll feel better knowing your new roommate here is looking out for you.”
I study the dog with a frown. “What makes you think he’ll do that?”
“It’s what he’s trained to do.”
I wrinkle my nose. My “roommate” has given up on more food appearing in his dish and now paces the apartment, making a low whining noise.
I drop onto the couch. “Is he going to do that all the time?”
“He probably needs to go out,” Theo says, reaching for the leash I left on the counter. “I’ll take him. But where do you want me to put this?”
I look up at the huge, ugly dog crate blocking my door. The one doing zero for my cozy aesthetic. “Do I have to keep it? Can’t I just get a cute dog bed?” Even as I speak the words, I can’t believe they’re coming out of my mouth.
“You might want to decide about that later. He’s used to sleeping in it.”
“Whatever. Just put it over there.” I gesture to the farthest corner by my bed so I won’t have to look at it in the center of the room. “Are you sleeping on my couch tonight, or what?”
Theo glances at the clock on my microwave. “If that’s okay? I have to head out tomorrow, but I should probably run down to see Mom first or she’ll never forgive me.”
“Truth.” I sigh, knowing she’ll grill him, wanting to know the next time I’ll visit.
I watch Theo maneuver the crate where I directed, even pausing to arrange a few books on top of it in an attempt at decor, and something loosens in my chest. He might be a brawny, overprotective dude’s dude, but I know how lucky I am to have him.
I hop up, crossing the room to fold him into a hug. He stiffens and squirms, acting like my arms are covered in stingers before relenting and hugging me back.
“Thanks for looking out for me, little bro. I know you went to a lot of trouble to arrange all this, and I appreciate it.”
He snorts. “No, you don’t.”
I pull away, unable to look him in the eye. “Youreffortis appreciated.”
“What are you writing about this week?” he asks, changing the subject.
I bite my lip, thinking about the Unmatched lead in my inbox. How I might not be on the assignment deskoras short on cash if I write the article Randall’s pushing for.
“Pets,” I say firmly, gesturing to the dog.
“Good.” He grunts his approval, and that’s when I realize he thinks it’s that simple.
“You know I could write about the water table and some asshole would still send me nasty messages eventually, right? That’s the nature of modern journalism. People like to say mean shit from behind their computers.”
“Yeah, but you don’t have to go baiting them.” When I roll my eyes, he just sets his jaw, then reaches down to clip the leash to Rufus’s collar. “Anyway, that’s why you’re keeping this guy.”
“I don’t want a dog, Theo!” I grab a throw pillow off the couch and launch it at him.
