Page 61 of The Billionaire's Pawfect Match

Everything is going so well, and I should be happy, but Isaac lingers in my mind. He’s always there, like a ghost of a touch I can’t shake off.

A sign catches my eye. Bright and cheerful, it points the way to the shelter. “Dog Adoption Drive for Seniors” it reads. My brow furrows. I don’t remember hearing about this. Curiosity nudges at me, worming its way through thoughts of Isaac.

The parking lot is fuller than usual, with tents set up, dogs in the shade in pens and being walked on leashes, and people milling around. It feels like I’ve walked into the twilight zone. Catching sight of Ricki, I jog up to her.

“What’s going on?” I ask. How could such a big event be planned without my knowing?

She grins big. “Like it? We’re matching dogs up with senior citizens. Not only are the adoption fees covered, so are food and basic care. Plus vet bill assistance and dog walkers if they need it.”

My jaw drops. “What… That’s… How— I mean, where…”

The shelter doesn’t have this kind of money. Who on earth is paying for all of this?

“I could explain,” Ricki says. “But I was asked to keep it a surprise for you.”

I feel my eyebrows pinch together in confusion. “By who?”

“And maybe I should let him explain.” She nods at someone behind me.

“Hello, Emily.” That familiar voice, deep and gentle, sends a thrill through me.

Spinning around, I come face to face with none other than Isaac.

He’s here, really here, Baxter sitting loyally at his side. The dog’s tail wags, thumping against the asphalt.

“Isaac?” I can barely get his name out, the question in it bigger than any single word could hold.

He steps forward, eyes holding mine. “I thought this might help. Dogs finding homes, seniors finding friends.” His smile is hesitant, hopeful. “Loneliness doesn’t have to be an epidemic. Not if we do something about it.”

“And you… you’re doing this?” My voice trembles as much as my hands. “You’re the one who’s footing the bills?”

“I am.” Pride lights up his face, but there’s something else there too — vulnerability, perhaps. “It’s important. You taught me that.”

Tears blur my vision. His understanding of loss, his embrace of change — it moves me more than I can say.

“Isaac, I…” Words fail me, so I let the tears fall instead. “I’m sorry. I overreacted that day. I was so just scared. I was…” I shake my head.

He steps closer, his presence enveloping me in warmth. “I’m sorry, Emily. For before. For letting my job become everything, for letting Baxter get out.”

I wipe away my tears. “I guess neither one of us is perfect.”

He grins. “No one ever said we have to be.”

That makes me chuckle, though there’s also a relieved sob in there. I’ve been wishing for some sort of miracle to bring us back together, but while I’ve been sitting on my hands, Isaac has been making plans. I could kiss him for it.

“Thank you,” I say. “For this event… for… coming back.”

“No, thank you.” His gaze holds a weight, a promise. “I don’t want to be the guy that you first met. I’ve learned a lot since you came into my life, and I want to do things differently — and I won’t just say that.”

“I know.” I nod, happy tears streaming down my face. “You’re showing me that.”

“Emily… I love you. I want to be with you.”

My heart beats louder than the barks and chatter around us. He’s here, really here. Offering a future.

“Thank you,” I manage to whisper through the tightness in my throat. “I want to be with you, too.”

The words hang heavy in the air between us, a pact solidifying, an invisible bond strengthening. For a moment, we are silent, absorbing the magnitude of our confessions, basking in the warmth of this acceptance and understanding.

---