Zane froze and stared at him with a confused expression.
“You been drinkin’ today, buddy?” Zane asked.
Sean laughed and shook his head.
“I’m considering getting Gabby an emotional support dog.”
Again, Zane looked at him as though he had lost his mind.
“How many drinks have you had today? Should you be driving?”
Rolling his eyes, Sean sat back in his chair.
“I haven’t had anything to drink, dumbass. I took Gabby to Savannah, and Savannah said that she thinks an emotional support dog would benefit Gabby greatly.”
“And if Savannah told you to buy Gabby a car, would you be considering that too?”
Sean shrugged, “Probably.”
Zane let out a bark of laughter, and Sean joined in with him.
“Oh, man, you have got it bad. I told you that you would like her. I take thank you’s in the form of top-shelf whiskey and cash.”
Good Lord, his friend was seriously the one who was crazy.
“I’ll keep that in mind. So, dog, in the club, yes?”
Waving his hand, Zane nodded his head.
“For Gabby, sure. But not when the club is open, and if it pees on anything, you’re paying to replace it.”
He grinned over at Zane. The man had a soft spot for Gabby as well.
“Thanks. I’ll send over a fancy-ass bottle of whiskey.”
“Sean, on a serious note, whatever you’re doing with Gabby, keep it up. She seems to be coming out of her shell little by little. She seems a lot happier.”
He thought about Zane’s words as he stood and left the office. He had noticed how much she had been opening up as well. She was talking more and she was no longer trembling with fear when he was around her. He hoped it meant that she was realizing that she could trust him and felt safe around him.
“Gabby girl, I want to talk to you about something. Can I come in?” he asked as he stood outside of the nursery.
Sean always made sure to ask to come into the nursery. He wanted her to know that it was her space and that he respected it. She looked up at him from where she was lying on a pile of pillows on the floor, reading a picture book, and nodded.
He walked in and sat near her but made sure to give her enough space so she didn’t feel cornered when he talked to her about what was on his mind.
“How are you doing here, Gabby? Do you have everything you need? Are you happy here?”
Her eyes widened immediately at his questions.
Whoa, slow down. Idiot.
“Sorry, let me back up. I’m a little bit nervous, Gabby.”
His admission seemed to intrigue her, and she smiled.
“Why would you be nervous?” she asked quietly.
“Because I want to ask you if you would like to be my little girl and let me be your Daddy.”