Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37793 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 189(@200wpm)___ 151(@250wpm)___ 126(@300wpm)
“This was before the dogs?”
“I’m sorry?”
“You didn’t have the dogs when you were both in California?”
“No, I had them.”
I nodded. “That’s interesting.”
“How so?”
“The dogs are really smart, yeah? They remember your friends.”
“But it’s been years since I last saw him.”
I shrugged. “Plus, they warm up fast to others.”
“I—”
“Take me, for instance.”
“You’re very—”
“And Vince and Carson.”
Quick huff of air. “I get where you’re going with this.”
“Do you?”
“Listen––”
“So they never warmed to Baylor.” It was a statement. I wasn’t asking a question because I already knew the answer.
“They—no. No, they did not.”
“Which is why he didn’t want them outside with the two of you.”
“Probably.”
“Or maybe,” I said as he stepped in close to me, hands on my hips, “he didn’t want the dogs out there with you for some other reason.”
“There was no nefarious intent,” he said, really looking at my face. “You know, you have bags under your eyes that look like bruises, they’re so dark.”
“Maybe there was flirtatious intent.”
“Stop,” he ordered, far more interested in me than talking about Baylor Donovan.
“He hit on you, didn’t he?”
“Not really,” he stated, which was an absurd thing to say because he either had or hadn’t made a pass at my fiancé. Not really made no sense.
“Care to elaborate?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Love, it doesn’t even merit a discussion.”
Normally, I would have been incensed that a man had come to my own house to hit on my fiancé, but there was no doubt in my mind that Kurt was treating this like nothing because to him, that’s how insignificant it was. I had all his attention and concern.
“That’s really fuckin’ rude of him, wouldn’t you say?”
“God, why are you even up? You should be upstairs, comatose.” His face crumpled as he looked at me. “I knew I should have canceled this whole thing.”
“No,” I murmured, letting my crutch go and grabbing him tight with my right arm, crushing him against me, liking the sharp gasp I got as I showed him the strength in my body. “I want you to keep all your friends. I don’t want to isolate you in any way.”
“You don’t. You wouldn’t,” he said with a sigh, carefully wrapping his arms around me, both of us enjoying the closeness.
“I’m not going to break.”
“Yes, but when you were in the shower, I saw all the damage…”
“I was cleared to come home,” I reminded him. “Which means you can hold me as tight as you want.”
“I worry about hurting you.”
“Only way you hurt me is by not showing me that I was missed.”
His exhale was long. “You’re always missed.”
“I dunno, maybe you were thinking Baylor would be easier to have around.”
“Honestly, that’s beneath you,” he said flatly.
“Oh, is it?”
“Yes, and you’re insane, and you’re lucky I’m into that.”
I grunted.
“Don’t even kid. You know you’re perfect for me. That’s why I’m marrying you.”
“I need convincing.”
“Annoying man,” he griped before he lifted to kiss me.
I kissed him breathless, and when I finally eased back, he leaned with me, keeping the contact, until I smiled.
“You’re awful,” he pronounced.
“You are less than believable at this moment,” I ribbed him as he slipped his hand up my nape and into my hair.
He suddenly chuckled.
“What?”
Tipping his head, I turned mine so we were both looking at Freki, who was sitting and holding my crutch.
“I wondered why I didn’t hear that hit the ground,” he said smiling. “You’re lucky he caught that.”
“I knew he would,” I told him. “He’s a good boy.”
“Plus you’ve got him trained to catch all kinds of things these days.”
“Yep, Frisbees, tennis balls, cooked spaghetti, French fries––”
“You shouldn’t give him––”
“––an umbrella so he doesn’t get wet if it starts to rain on our walks, the broom when I forget to grab the dust pan, that drone that asshole from three doors down sent into the yard. Big mistake when he flew it too low.”
“Yes, you and your dog are quite ferocious.”
“Hey, don’t forget Geri,” I said, and when I did, I noted Freki’s brother wagging his tail. “He can catch things too. He caught my favorite beer when I accidentally knocked the bottle off the counter. Both of them have amazing reflexes.”
Kurt smiled at me.
“What? They do.”
He sighed deeply. “They do, yes.”
“Then what’s with the smile like I’m crazy?”
“You’re not crazy and I’m so happy you’re home.”
“Me too. Especially since I wasn’t aware that Baylor was on the prowl.”
Huff of breath then. “Listen to me, all kidding aside, Baylor has not made any other advances or––”
“I don’t want him at the wedding.”
“Okay,” he agreed without a moment’s hesitation.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.”
“And I don’t think he should be invited back to game night. Nobody seems to like him.”
Warm chuckle. “Yeah, I’m getting that.”
“I mean, you don’t want Carson to hurt himself throwing footballs at Baylor’s arms or maybe even his legs next time.”
“That’s true, but for the record, I had no idea he could even do that anymore. It was amazing—once I got past the shock.”