“Thank god,” I muttered.After Kylie’s social media post and that stupidBabblerarticle, we’d all held our collective breath that an angry mob would come after Alice and the Monarchs.
And then Chase and Shay had come to our rescue by posting pics and doing interviews about their baby shower.It had appeared to calm our rabid fan base.
For now.
But all that was forgotten as I pulled into the shelter’s parking lot and a sense of excitement thrummed in my veins.I couldn’t wait to see DJ again.
When we got inside the building, an older woman behind the reception desk greeted us.Kinda.“Hey Alice.You didn’t mention you were volunteering today.And bringing your…boyfriend?”
Her eyes shined behind her glasses as her gaze bounced between me and Alice.
I stepped toward her and put my arm around Alice’s shoulder.“I wanted to adopt a dog.DJ, if he’s still here.”
A huge grin swept across the woman’s face.“Do you want to see him again?We can let you guys have the side yard and play while I gather your paperwork.”
“Yes.Please.”I grinned.
“Alice can show you the way.”She waggled her eyebrows and Alice gave a muffled groan beside me.
“Right this way,boyfriend.”Judging by her scowl, Alice didn’t find this nearly as entertaining as I did.
I grinned at the receptionist one more time then bounced after my retreating ‘girlfriend.’The mix of excitement over adopting DJ and needling Alice had me giddy like I hadn’t been…since I was using.
The thought should’ve been sobering, a reminder of what was at stake, but it just felt good to feel good for a chance.Like my old self.
Alice grabbed a leash and in seconds was leading DJ out of his pen and down the alley of enclosures.This time it took me a second to even register the cacophony of barks, yelps, and howls.I was too focused on the sway of Alice’s hips as she telegraphed her anger with her every stomp.
It was the sexiest—and funniest—fucking sight.
I was hypnotized.
“What the hell?”Alice shrieked after the door closed behind me.
Then I had to dance away as she whaled on my shoulder.
“What the hell?”I repeated as I jumped and feigned injury, clutching my shoulder.
“Girlfriend?Why’d you let her think—”
“Wha-ho, that’s not on me.”I raised my palms.“I never confirmed or denied what she said.You’rethe one who called me boyfriend.”
“I… shit.You’re right.”
“What do you think, DJ?”I bent down in front of the dog she still held on to by the leash.“Does she owe me an apology?”
DJ’s tail thumped against the ground.
“See?”I gestured at the eager dog.“DJ agrees with me.Say you’re sorry.”
She rolled her eyes.“He’d agree with anything if he thought it meant he was getting off the leash.”She bent down in front of DJ.“Isn’t Noah the biggest tool bag you’ve ever met?”
Her all bent over like that in front of me talking about my bag had me shifting to hide my boner.
Fuck, I was sick.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at me and grinned when DJ’s tail wagged.
Fuck.Me.
