Page 48 of Swept for Forever
Dom didn’t make a fuss. He just stayed close. His hand ghosted near my elbow the entire time, ready to catch me if I swayed even an inch.
“Rise and conquer,” he parroted to me.
“Shut up!”
“Hey, you’re doing great,” he said. “Just don’t hit anyone.”
I smirked, leaning into him just a touch more than necessary. My calf wound gave me a solid excuse. Not that I needed one. But whatever the situation, I soaked it up, knowing it wouldn’t last forever.
Dom opened the truck door.
“Lulu!” I yelped.
The furry wrecking ball of joy came hurtling toward me, nearly knocking me over before Dom caught my elbow. Lulu whined, tail wagging, her nose pressing against my stomach as if she was making sure I was still in one piece.
Dom eased me down so I could reach her, his one hand on my back, the other lowering the crutch.
“Here,” he said. “Let mecarefullyassist your dramatic reunion.”
I knelt just enough to smother Lulu with attention. She yipped, practically vibrating. Dom stayed right there behind me, not letting go until I was steady again.
“She’s been waiting all day,” Dom said, the tiniest smirk playing at his lips.
“Look at you!” I cooed. “You even got a collar. Pink, no less.”
I raised an eyebrow at Dom, demanding answers.
He lifted his hands in surrender. “Hey, don’t blame the messenger. Mr. Gunn gave it to me.”
“Who’s Mr. Gunn?”
“The shelter guy. Old, cranky. Has zero give, and looks like he’s been scowling since the Nixon era. But he’s a good guy. Really.”
“So naturally, he chose a pink collar.”
Dom shrugged. “I wasn’t about to argue.”
I glanced back at Lulu. “Wow. So Lulu got the last collar in the county, and it’s bubblegum pink.”
“Mr. Gunn said it brought out her sass. I kinda agree,” Dom said.
“He did not.Yousaid that.”
“Okay, fine,” he admitted. “But I wasn’t wrong.”
Lulu cocked her head, her tongue lolling.
Dom gestured for Lulu to hop back in the truck. She obeyed without fuss.
Then he turned to me. “Ready?”
“Not even close,” I said, but I took his hand.
He helped me up—firm enough to steady me, gentle enough to pretend I wasn’t one awkward lurch away from face-planting on the asphalt.
I eased in, minding my leg. He tucked the crutch in after me, then rounded the front and slid into the driver’s seat.
“All right, Sleeping Beauty.” He started the engine. “Let’s get you somewhere more comfortable.”
