Page 60 of Chasing Shelter

“Total little gremlin,” I said with a laugh.

“He doesn’t even look like a dog,” Linc muttered.

“Watch your mouth,” I snapped. “You’re going to hurt his feelings.”

“Brutus will love him,” Arden said. “We’ll have to have a playdate.”

“Yeah, why don’t you come over today?” Linc suggested. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“I’m actually going to the farmer’s market with Thea and Fallon this afternoon, but what about tomorrow?” I asked.

“Okay,” Linc agreed, but his tone was a little sullen.

“Let her live her life, Cowboy. You’re going to smother her.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. “She’s good for you, ConCon.”

“I don’t think I like you two ganging up on me,” he muttered.

I headed back inside, Gremlin tucked under my arm. “That’s good for you, too.”

“Damn straight,” Arden agreed.

“I’m ending this call before this gets any worse,” Linc said with a groan.

“Love you both,” I called.

“Love you, too, El Bell,” Linc said as he ended the call.

I set Gremlin down and grinned. My brother was happy. And with a woman who was incredibly good for him. He deserved that more than anyone I knew.

I headed for the kitchen and coffee. I might not be a cook, but I had coffee down—well, as much as youcouldhave down putting one of those little pods in the machine and waiting for the caffeinated goodness.

After getting that going, I prepped Gremlin’s food. The second I went for the bag, he started dancing around in little twirls across the kitchen. “Good to know you like this ridiculously expensive food.”

I put a scoop into one of the bright bowls covered in an adorable pattern of flowers and bones and set it on the floor next to his water. Gremlin dove in like, well, a gremlin. The sounds he made while eating were slightly terrifying but also adorable.

As my coffee started to pour from the machine, I grabbed my cellto check my email and stilled. The little red notification bubbles on my texts read one hundred and thirteen, and the phone app had sixty-seven. My stomach hollowed out as I tapped on theMessagesicon.

There were only a couple of threads with new stuff: one from Thea, confirming our outing today, one from Linc asking if I was awake yet, and one from Bradley.

I rocked from my heels to my tiptoes as I stared at the thread. I could only read the preview, but that was in all caps.ANSWER ME! WHERE ARE YOU?!

I worried the inside of my cheek. I could just delete it and never know what Bradley had to say. But that felt scarier somehow. I held my breath and tapped his name.

Bradley

I think it’s time we talk, don’t you?

Bradley

We’re both adults. And I think we need some closure.

Bradley

Stop playing games, Eleanor.

He always used my formal name when he was pissed. Like he was my parent and not my fiancé.

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