Page 25 of The Damaged Billionaire

“How about it, Bob? You want to come home with me?” I ask, squatting down to look at my new family member, and he lets out a bark and runs in a circle, chasing his tail. He is light brown in color, his eyes blue, his tail wagging happily.

“That sounds like a yes to me.” Willow says from beside me with a bright smile. This day is already feeling much better than any other morning I have had in recent months, and it’s all from seeing that curve of her lips directed right at me.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - WILLOW

I push through my front door, the groceries hanging from my hands, leaving marks on my skin. Why I struggle to bring everything inside and not make two trips, I’ll never know.

“You’re home!” I hear Josh yell from next door. I look up and watch as he jumps the low hedge and runs up the front path to me, flashing me his big smile, yet eyeing the bags, knowing that they contain snacks for him. I hold the door open with my foot as he follows me inside.

“Yep. Are you hanging out with me today?” I ask. I can’t remember if I said I would watch him today, or if his mom is home and he is just after my candy jar.

“Nah, Mom’s home. But she is sleeping,” he says, flopping on my sofa and turning on the TV like he owns the place. Josh slept over here because she worked the night shift last night, so she must still be sleeping it off. “Did you get Cheerios?” he asks. They are his favorite, and he knows I am a sucker and buy them for him.

“Yes, in the bag. Help yourself.” He jumps up and joins me in the kitchen, the two of us moving around each other, him making a mess, and me cleaning it up. My cell rings and Tennyson’s name flashes on my screen.

“Tennyson?” I ask in question, tucking the phone between my shoulder and ear. I thought he would be too busy with his new sidekick to call me. I would like to say Bob has settled in well, but it’s been a week, and they are still having teething issues.

“He is eating my furniture, my new shoes are ruined, and he pissed on the kitchen floor!” he yells, his words coming so fast they run into each other.

“He is probably just excited to be in his new home. It is all still new.” I roll my lips to stifle my laugh.

“I need a new fucking sofa!” I can’t stop the giggle as it leaves my lips.

“Are you laughing? Go ahead and laugh. You are the one who now needs to come furniture shopping with me,” he says, still upset, although a little less stressed.

“Have you walked him?” I ask. “Maybe he just needs to stretch his legs?” I wonder if Tennyson has actually read the fact sheets on dog ownership I sent him.

“Yes.” Tennyson is short with his answer.

“When?” I don't believe him. I should get his assistant to put it in his diary and make it a priority. I write a note down for myself to do exactly that.

“Last week,” he offers.

“Last week? You need to walk him every day.” I shake my head, my eyes rolling. “And take a photo so we can put it up on Instagram this week.” I might as well get some good content to push out the old.

“I know, I know. I had plans to run with him every morning, but work is kicking my ass at the moment with early morning conference calls and late meetings.” He moans, but I can hear the clink of the lead so I know he is getting ready to do just that.

“Bob,” I say again, trying not to laugh.

“What?” he bites out.

“Bob, his name is Bob,” I repeat, knowing he hates the name.

“I am not calling him Bob.” I can’t wipe the smile from my face.

“Well, what are you calling him, then?” I ask, juggling the milk and juice as I put them in the refrigerator.

“You have a yard, don’t you?” he asks me, changing the subject so fast I get whiplash.

“What?” I ask mid milk placement, the fridge door banging against my arm.

“A house with a lawn? I'll bring him over. We can go through the week, and he can run at your place. Easy.” I can hear his elevator closing, knowing he is already on his way.

“Wait. What?” My bed socks and a movie with Josh isn’t how my afternoon is going to play out now, I guess.

“See you in thirty minutes.”

“Tennyson?” I say, but the phone is already dead. He’s gone, and now I need to change and clean the house before he gets here.

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