Page 69 of If Love Had A Manual

“Go to work, boss man.”

I remain still as his hand reaches out again, but this time, he’s about to pet the dog, and not me.

Disappointing.

But aww, the big burly manwants to say goodbye.

See, it’s instinct.

Sensing I’m about to get cocky, he halts his movement.

“Oh, go on,” I tell him. “Give him a scratch.”

“Lena?”

I look up at him. “Uh-huh?”

“You’re fired.”

That makes me smile. Those threats lost their bite a long time ago. “Sure, Wes. That’ll be the fifth time this week. Should I start packing or wait until you cry when I leave?”

He shakes his head, muttering something about “This damn woman” under his breath as he heads for the door.

Honestly, I live to torment that man.

Twenty-Four

Wes

It’s been a long day. All I want is a hot shower, a beer, and maybe five minutes to sit in peace.

Instead, I pull up to Lena, Rosie, and the damn dog.

Lena is standing in the front yard, arms crossed, and waiting for me. Rosie is on the grass, giggling hysterically as the stray runs circles around her.

I don’t even make it out of the truck before Lena starts talking.

“So here’s the thing—”

I lean my head back against the seat for a second before stepping out. “Jesus. Not even a hello first?”

“Hello,” she says, then barrels on. “So, he’s not microchipped. And if he doesn’t have a home, then the vet says he’ll have to go to a shelter.”

Shutting the truck door, I rub a hand over my face. “Good. So a loving family can take him.”

“Right,” she agrees a little too fast.

I fix her with a flat stare that says I’ve officially lost the will to live. “But?”

She winces, and I know exactly where this is going. “But…I’m attached,” she finally admits. “And Rosie loves him.”

“Don’t”—I point at her—“use Rosie to get your way.”

“I’m not!”

I glance over at Rosie, who is currently rolling around on the grass, shrieking in delight as the stray, who she clearly already considers her best friend, bounds around her. His tail is wagging so hard his entire back half moves with it. She hasn’t even noticed that I’ve arrived home.

Do I have to compete with a dog now?

---