Page 109 of Crash & Burn

“Yeah, some guy dropped them off here yesterday after getting both from a breeder. Said they were too much work, and the rescue’s manager freaked out on him, saying you can’t get a dog and expect it to be no work, let alonetwo.”

“What a fucking idiot,” I say, instantly feeling sorry for these two pups.

“You didn’t deserve that, Ro-Ro. No. No, you did not. Do you want to come home with me?” Luke’s dog voice is in full force, and it is a laughable sight, seeing the two together.

The human and dog versions of golden retrievers.

“But, I can’t take one and not the other,” Luke says. “They’re sisters. They deserve to stay together.”

Annie looks at me, and smiles. “What do you say, Ed? Daisy seems to like you. This is the first time her tail has wagged all day.”

I look back at Daisy and her puppy-dog eyes are a close second to Mia’s.

“I really would, but I can’t with the tour coming up.”

“Luke can watch her during the tour. It will give the sisters time together,” Annie argues.

“I don’t know, Ann,” I let out a sigh, feeling myself folding the more Daisy stares up at me. “I have to make sure it is okay with Mateo. He said he didn’t care if I got a dog when I first moved in, but I really should make sure it is still okay.”

“He won’t care,” Annie says. “Come on, just look at her. You want Eddie to take you home, don’t you Daisy?” Annie’s dog voice is as bad as Luke’s.

Daisy lets out a small bark, turning to lick my hand patting her head.

I guess it’s decided.

Daisy is coming home with me.

Chapter 36

Mia

Last night has been playing over and over in my head sinceEddie left, and I missed him the second my door closed behind him.

I woke up with a smile on my face, walking from my bedroom into my living room to see the mess of the blankets and pillows I set up for our movie night, a flip in my stomach at the thought of how it got that way.

Head over heels doesn’t even begin to explain how quickly and how hard I have fallen for Eddie. I think I’ve been falling since the second I saw him leaning against the door to my apartment with Mateo.

The night we decided to see where things could go between us, I had full intention of not diving in head first. But now?

I find myself repeating what Eddie told me.

I’m all in.

But is this going to work?

We have to tell Mateo.

I already spilled to Drew and Annie, and I’m sure that means Luke and Emmett know. The girls agreed to keep things between the six of us, but it isn’t fair to make them keep the secret from Mateo, who is their friend too.

I go about my day, with the memories of last night in the back of my mind, often pushing their way to the front, making me blush, as I work on a few social media posts for bands I’m working with at the moment.

I try to remind myself that keeping things a secret is only temporary.

I’ll tell Mateo.

Soon.

Being self-employed, working as a freelance photographer, was the best decision I ever made. I was so lucky to find my niche working for indie bands, and I hope to branch out with other opportunities starting with Drew and Emmett’s wedding in October.

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