Page 83 of Learning to Run

Jude’s easy nod and utter lack of stress at the momentpushed me to keep going when I couldn’t think of a way to ask a rental officeabout it. “Thanks for the schedule idea. It should’ve occurred to one of us,but I don’t think it did.”

I looked over at Cash who was sitting on the floor by thedining room area and he shook his head as our pup skidded to a halt in front ofhim and gave him a quick nuzzle before running off again. Smiling, he inchedcloser to me and shrugged. “No, I hadn’t been thinking that far ahead, Iguess?”

None of us had.

The next few months seemed busy enough that I hadn’t beenthinking beyond that.

“Yeah, I’m not sure if we’re too focused on the next fewmonths or not, but we need to make sure we’re looking at everything thatwill make it easier for you next year.” I wasn’t the center of their world, butI knew it would be hard when we couldn’t live as close as we did now.

I just wasn’t sure what our stumbling blocks would be or howto predict them.

Jude laughed, shaking his head but focusing on Brady who wastrying to play keep-away with the ball. “You’re already planning on how livingtogether will work and I bet your lists have lists, and I know you’ve got onewith all the things you want in the apartment so it will fit all three of you.”

I wasn’t going to admit how right he was. “Maybe.”

My vague answer got another laugh from Jude. “You’re doingthe best you can.”

Yep, he was a pod person.

But Cashel seemed curious to get to know the new alien andkept quietly inching closer to me so he could actually see Jude. I didn’t wantto draw attention to it, though, so I rolled my eyes and focused on the smilingDaddy.

“You’re probably not any better, though.” My teasing got asheepish grin from the pod person imitating Jude. “His family has probablyalready started planning your wedding.”

His sigh said I was right, and he scrubbed his hands overhis face as he shook his head. “I’ve managed to keep them from pushing Brady intopicking out wedding colors and dates, but that’s mostly because he doesn’tcare.”

That family was insane.

But at least it showed they supported their relationship?

“I’m voting blues with favors being things like MatchboxCars because they’d pop against a light blue.” My slightly ridiculous responsehad Brady going topsy-turvy over Gareth as they raced down the hallway andsomehow ended up in Cashel’s lap. “Is he—”

Before I could ask Cashel if they were alright, Bradymanaged to untangle himself and popped up like he had a spring in him. “Toys?Weddings have toys, Uncle Bates?”

Oh, that was new.

And I might’ve gotten myself in trouble based on the glareJude was sending my way.

Maybe he wasn’t an alien?

How was I going to lie to a little?

“You can do anything you want at a wedding, cutie.”But…but…everyone would kill me if I sent Brady into a wedding-crazed frenzy.“But birthday parties are the best kind of parties because they’re not as muchwork and you still get cake and toys.”

Bingo.

“I like parties.” Brady laughed as Gareth rolled them offCashel’s lap and toward the kitchen. “Puppy likes parties too.”

The puppy liked everything at the current moment.

Gareth’s pup side was over the moon at having someoneridiculous to play with and an audience to watch him. Every time he paused tocatch his breath, he’d pose and wag his tail, showing off and loving all theattention.

Brady thought it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen andlaughed every time Gareth did it, which only encouraged the naughty pup more.Cashel was definitely glad Gareth wasn’t wearing his inside tail as he’dstarted calling it, but I wasn’t sure what Jude would’ve thought about thewhole thing.

I knew Cashel had told Gareth earlier that he thought Judewas shy, but I had a feeling it was more about not knowing the socialconventions around finding your partner's best friends hot—and sub or pup orjust human cutie—Gareth was smoking.

And having the time of his life trying to lick Brady’s faceas the little squealed and attempted to escape.

“He does and he likes playing with you.” With the weddingtalk behind us, I relaxed again when Brady sent the ball flying, obviouslydeciding that was the best way to distract the puppy since no one was going tohis rescue.

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