Page 8 of Puppy Love

Jayden comes into the kitchen and looks at Ace. “Go lay down,” he says.

Immediately, Ace retreats and goes into the living room to lay down. Unfuckingbelievable.

“Rough day?” he asks, pulling the pizza out for me.

“You could say that,” I reply, leaning against the counter.

He hands me the pizza and I grab a slice, taking a big bite.

“Is it because you were late?” he asks.

I sigh and shrug. “I don’t know. That didn’t help, but every customer today was nasty. I got food spilled on me. I didn’t get a break, so my feet are killing me, and I’m starving. I made shit for tips, and I needed that money toward food this week.”

He wraps his arm around me, and I tense because I stink. He looks down at me, lifting an eyebrow.

“I smell,” I whisper.

He chuckles and tightens his hold on me. It feels better than it should. I shouldn’t want to move closer, but I do. I know he’s doing it as a friend but damn a girl can fantasize.

“I don’t care, but I do care that you had a shit day. I’m sorry that Ace added to that,” he says.

I shake my head, swallowing my pizza. “No, don’t be sorry. I’m sorry I went into your room. I should’ve closed the door behind me.”

“It’s not like I’m hiding something in there. You don’t need to apologize for going in. Ace took your sneaker, nothing else you could’ve done.”

I turn to face him and unfortunately he drops his arm. “Does he always do that? Steal shoes?”

“No, that’s the first time he’s ever done it,” he says, shrugging. “He must like them.”

I giggle and finish off my pizza. “Yeah, I guess he does.”

“It’s Friday, go get a shower and we’ll chill watching TV. I was gonna suggest going out, but I can see you’re too tired tonight.”

He wanted to go out? It almost makes me want to say fuck it. Almost. I’m just too drained tonight.

“Sounds good,” I say, grabbing another slice of pizza and heading for my room.

I wake up,stretching as I look around my room. My brows dip as I lift the covers, noticing that I’m still in my sweats from last night. I don’t remember coming to bed, which is strange because I didn’t even drink.

It’s early, so I decide to take Ace for a walk. I haven’t done that yet, but it’s good exercise for us both. Plus, maybe he’ll listen to me a little more if we bond like this.

I get dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt, smiling when both my sneakers are in my room. I make a quick pot of coffee and while it’s brewing I glance a Jayden’s door. It’s cracked open so I pad over and push it open a bit more. Ace notices me immediately and slowly stretches before he wags his tail, walking toward me. I pet his head, but my eyes drift to a sleeping Jayden. He only has on a pair of black boxers and the blanket is tangled around his one leg. I knew he was muscular, but holy hell. His tattoo covered, muscular arms are only the beginning. He’s got abs that make my fingers twitch at my side. He has tattoos on his chest and there is one peeking out on his side. I want to get closer to study them, to see if they are something meaningful or just artwork he loved.

Ace whines behind me and I snap out of my thoughts. I shake my head, lightly closing his door. How embarrassing that I was just staring at him while he was sleeping. I have no doubt he’d be pissed about that. It makes me feel like a creepy stalker.

I glance down at Ace and smile, going to make a cup of coffee to bring on our walk. “Give me a minute and we’ll go for a walk,” I say.

He gets excited and runs to the front door, waiting for me.

I giggle as I put the lid on my travel mug and grab his leash. He is so excited. As soon as I have his leash on and open the door, he pulls me out.

“Ace, stop,” I yell, tugging back on the leash.

He pees on the grass, and I take a sip of my coffee. I guess he just had to go really bad.

Once he’s done, we start walking down the street. He’s nosy, sniffing and peeing on everything.

As we continue to walk I smile. “See, this is what we need to do. Just the two of us. Maybe later you’ll want to cuddle with me on the couch.”

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