Page 33 of A Not So Prince Charming

We’d practically always had one in my family, and it was one reason I loved this organization so much. They helped find homes for rescue dogs, all while giving back to the community.

“No. I always wanted one, though.” His brown eyes weresuddenly far away, and I hated it. Like I’d uncovered a sore spot for him.

“Maybe someday,” I offered, though that wasn’t much.

“Yeah.” His lips curled up into a warm smile as the puppy’s eyes closed, falling asleep on him. “I hope so.”

“I should probably get this little guy back,” he said with a sigh, rising from the grass. “Wouldn’t want him to miss out on finding a new home because I kept him all to myself.”

“Probably true.” I still hated disturbing the pup in my lap to do the same. “I wish I could take one home.”

“Sorority house mascot?” Cam asked, standing up with the dog still snoozing in his arms.

“As if.” I chuckled, imagining the can of worms that would open.

Shifting his sleeping puppy, he offered me a hand, helping me get up from the grass.

“Back to work, eh?”

“Yes, sir,” I said, giving him a salute.

“Ella,” he groaned.

With a wink, I skipped off towards the big playpen, knowing he was following behind me—with the knowledge ofexactlywhat I was doing to him.

Maybe I was having just a little too much fun torturing him, but it was his fault. He’d started it.

I was just going to be the one to finish it.

CHAPTER 12

Cam

I’d been in a good mood since I’d spent the entire afternoon the previous day holding a puppy and sitting with Ella, and I didn’t think anything could ruin that.

Except for one thing. My phone rang in my pocket, and I groaned at the caller ID.

“Dad?” I lifted the device to my ear. “It’s not really a good time. I have class in a few minutes.”

Forty-five, actually, but he didn’t need to know that.

“That’s okay, son. I just need a few minutes.” I rolled my eyes, picturing my father at the desk in his firm where he spends most of his time. Even when I was growing up, there was a better chance he was at work than at home. “The firm just wanted to verify you’re still interested in the internship this summer.”

“Your firm,” I say, as though that's not obvious. There might have been other partners, but his name was the one on the building. So—he wanted to check on me. To make sure I hadn’t made other plans. Rubbing at my temples, I did my best to hold in my sigh. “Yes. Dad. I have the LSATs this summer, but other than that, I’ll be there.”

He made a humming sound. “Your mother is excited to see you soon for winter break.”

“About that.” I winced. Despite anything else, I loved my mom, and I hated to disappoint her. “The guys and I are going up to Vermont for a few weeks.” Two, but I don’t tell him that.

“Is that a good idea? Don’t you have a lot of studying to do?”

“Dad…” I groaned. “I’ll take my books up with me. I’m not going to slack off, I promise.”

“I know you’re not,” he said with a grunt. “Because you’re my son, and you always make me proud.”

If that wasn’t a loaded statement.

“I know,” was the only thing that came out of my mouth. It’s all I’d been trying to do since I was a kid. To make him proud. To get his attention.

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