He shakes his head. “I was hoping you’d keep him. He’s a great dog. Smart as a whip.”
“He is. And yes, I plan to keep him.” I lift my chin to accentuate my point.
I wonder if that will work on Nick if we wind up in a custody battle. In the past, I’ve heard clients speak about the special bond that happens between the owner and a rescue. Now I totally get it.
Then, a crazy thought hits me at this most inconvenient time. Nick has two high-power lawyers for parents. Guess I better play nice in that scenario, or I may need a top-notch screwdriver, if you catch my drift.
He nods. “He deserves a good home. I’m going to the sheriff’s office to confess what I did. I don’t know what that will mean for me, but I know it’s the right thing to do. Again, I’m really sorry for what I did, Ms. McCarthy.”
My anger trickles out of me like the water in the treadmill when I drain it. I let out a breathy sigh. “Thank you, Marcus. Be sure to tell them you came here first and that I said I’m not pressing charges.”
His eyes fill with tears. “Thank you. I know I don’t deserve that, but thank you.”
My heart does a twist to his reaction and to understand his pain. I’m still not a fan of how he handled Bandit’s injuries orwhat he did to my office, but I’m a firm believer in forgiveness and giving people second chances. “I’m so sorry for your loss. That must be so hard.”
He nods and opens his mouth to say something but stops when the door opens. Nick walks in with Bandit, but before I can explain, he drops Bandit’s leash and grabs Marcus in a chokehold. Bandit’s barking nonstop, and I’m scrambling to separate them.
“Nick, it’s fine! Marcus came to apologize.” I grasp Nick’s arm in a very lame attempt to move his rock-hard bicep.
Nick freezes, staring at me as if he’s trying to make sense of what I just said, then releases Marcus. He shakes his arms out. “Sorry about that.”
Marcus adjusts his shirt. “I kind of deserved it.”
Nick swings his gaze my way, and our eyes lock. That fear I sometimes see peek out seems different this time. And the question I saw before is practically yelling at me for an answer.
Marcus bends over to pet Bandit, reminding me we’re not alone. “You be a good boy for them, JoJo. You’re with good people now.” His goodbye is watery as he leaves.
Nick shuts the door but holds onto the doorknob as if he’s collecting his thoughts.
I’m tempted to blurt out the truth I’ve been running from out of my own fear, that I’m in love with him, but I still want to lambast him for being an idiot.
Before I can say anything, Bandit steals the show when he walks over to me.
I gasp and drop to my knees in front of him. “Look at you!” My gaze connects with Nick’s again. “When did this happen?”
His grin is slow to return. “This morning when your brother tried to break down my door.”
I roll my eyes. “What now?”
“He got wind that something’s going on between us.” He says this with a confidence I’m having a hard time resisting. Especially since he’s moving toward me like a cat about to pounce on its prey. And I’m kind of liking it.
Maybe a lot…
But I’m still mad at him. “Then he’s mistaken.”
Nick falters on his next step, but one side of his mouth ticks up a notch. “Is he?”
I keep my attention on Bandit and his silky soft ears so I don’t relent and give in too fast. The man is going to have to work for it.
My heart’s racing like a dog with the rips, but I lift one shoulder in a casual shrug. “What did you tell him?”
“That I want to date his sister.”
A tiny gasp slips out, and my resolve to stay chill dissolves. I have to see his eyes and make sure it’s real because I kind of imagined this moment a long time ago. Only that scenario didn’t include a dog.
And there it is, that heated look of his. Oh, be still my frantically beating heart. I’m going to clock Graham for meddling, but I have to say, I’m a bit swoony over the thought that he asked my brother if he could date me. It’s kind of romantic.
“Don’t you think that’s a question you should ask me? I mean, seriously? What day and age are we living in?” I may find what he did romantic, but this girl stands against the patriarchy. Just sayin’.
