Page 32 of Y'allywood Billionaire

After I release a long exhale, I say, “I can’t, but it’s just for ten days.” I can’t believe what I just offered. I don’t want to get kicked out of my apartment. I love it and have no time in my schedule for an animal. However, I absolutely cannot allow Farmer to go to the shelter.

Maddox winces. “Okay, okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“I’ll take him. I have a house with a yard, so he can stay with me.Temporarily. My lifestyle isn’t built for a dog, Riley, so don’t look at me like that.”

I feel my pulse even out. “Thank you so much.”

“Sure,” Maddox says. “You can’t risk having a dog at your place, and it’s going to take both of us to do around-the-clock meds. I can see if I can get my assistant to help as well.”

My heart feels like it might burst in my chest, and a glowing smile takes over my face.

Dr. Cullin clasps her hands. “That is wonderful news. I’m so happy this sweet boy is going to be in such good hands.”

Good hands.I’m not so sure about that, but given the circumstances, whatever we can offer is certainly better than being on the street where the infection could grow and take his life. He’s already suffered enough.

So I guess Rilox now has a new thing we do together: care for an injured pet. At least for the next ten days.

10

The Sleepover

Ineed to pack an overnight bag to stay at Maddox’s place, so he swings me by my apartment. He heads to my bedroom with me, so, apparently, his no-bedroom rule only goes for his. He flops down on my bed like he owns the place.

“Make yourself at home,” I say.

“I will. Thank you.”

I take out a duffel bag and stuff clothing into it. I head into the bathroom to get my toiletries and hair crap, and when I come out, Maddox is off my bed and is now nosing through the case of jewelry I have on my dresser.

I fold my arms. “You know, for someone who wants bedroom privacy, you sure don’t extend that grace to others.” He’s right—it is intimate to have someone in your bedroom. And it’s making me uncomfortable because I like him being in here. Probably too much, and what am I supposed to do with that? Nothing is the answer because this isn’t real—even though him being in here makes it feel like it is.

“Sorry, Rook,” he says, not looking one bit sorry. “What’s this?” He lifts out a tiara and studies it.

“That’s the set of royal costume jewelry my grams left me in her will. We used to have tea parties with it, and she knows how much I cherish it.” I take the tiara away. “So be careful with those fat fingers of yours.”

“I have a gentle touch.” Unfazed, he rummages through the box as though he’s searching for his favorite candy bar in the plastic pumpkin. He pulls out a ring, holding it up close to his eyes to study it.

I furrow a brow. “I don’t remember that piece as part of the jewelry set, but our last tea party was a very long time ago.”

“This looks like a real ring.”

“That’s what I thought too, but I can’t imagine why Grams would throw something real into that box.”

He looks at me quizzically. “You said she knew you cherished it.”

“Yes.”

“Maybe she knew it was safe here.”

“True.” I’m now eyeing it too. It’s a huge princess-cut sapphire set in gold that’s intricately engraved but worn.

“This is definitely real. Dad has a jeweler friend who I’ve worked for.” Maddox shrugs. “Another summer job assignment.”

“What did you do that time?” I smile.

He sucks air through his teeth. “I borrowed some of Dad’s chain necklaces for a Halloween costume. I was in an Alice in Chains phase. Anyway, I lost one.”

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