Page 36 of Love Puck

“I’m adopting Wyatt,” I clarified for her. He took that opportunity to lick her face again.

“What? You can’t,” she said with a serious look on her face. Jillian gazed up at me with confusion written all over her face.

“Why not? Are you going to take him?” I asked, wondering if maybe she’d changed her mind.

Her eyes fell to Wyatt. “No, I told you I can’t.”

I nodded. “I understand, Jillian. But I can. So, I’m going to.”

She stared at me and a look I’d never seen before crossed her face. “I just worry about what kind of life he’ll have, you know?”

I shrugged and crouched down in front of them. Wyatt let me pet him, and I smiled. “The life he lives, is the life he lives. That’s his right. And I’ll be here to help him out—however he needs it. Who are we to judge the quality of his life? He’s got just as much right to happiness as any other dog.”

She pursed her lips together, and I could tell she was really thinking about this. “But he’s got issues.”

I let out a sarcastic laugh. “Don’t we all?”

Jillian gazed down at Wyatt and nodded. “Good point.”

She had a defeated look on her face, and even though I was still angry at her—I didn’t want her to feel bad.

I sighed and said, “From the looks of it, he doesn’t need much except a roof over his head and a full belly.”

Jillian’s eyes grew watery. “And an owner with a big heart.”

Wyatt decided to lick my face and I laughed. “I’ve got a heart. Don’t know how big it is.”

Jillian didn’t miss a beat. “I do.”

A few hours later, and Wyatt and I pulled into the parking lot at home.

Wyatt’s new home.

Barnes had asked me to stay later and help get the other adoptions finalized and out the door. My co-workers seemed to have disappeared, so I couldn’t exactly say no.

Not that I would have.

But I was eager to get Wyatt back to my place so I could get him used to where he’d be living. We jumped out of my truck and headed toward the iron gate. I opened it to a courtyard full of people.

A huge sign read, “Welcome to your new home, Wyatt!!”

There was a long table set up with food. It looked—and smelled amazing.

Jillian came running up to us. The smile on her face was contagious, so I smiled back.

“Was this—” I looked around and jerked my head at the party happening behind her, “you?”

Her smile grew. “I had a ton of help.” Jillian bent down and said, “Hello, Wyatt. Welcome to your first night at your new forever home.” He gave her cheek a big lick and panted. “Aww, are you thirsty? Come with me. I’ll get you some water.” She straightened up and asked, “If that’s okay with you, I mean?”

She’d showered and changed into a cute sundress.

Well, it might have started out cute. But the way it showed off Jilian’s cleavage—and fuck me—her long legs, it looked a lot less cute. And a lot more sexy.

“Of course, here,” I said, offering her the leash.

She reached for it, and as she did, our hands touched. I felt that familiar zinging sensation when I touched her skin.

“Thanks.” She grinned before turning around. “Let’s go meet your new friends, okay?” Jillian posed the question to the new-old dog. He followed her lead, and I watched them wander off into the crowd.

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