Page 91 of Hiding From Laughter

Giving everyone some warning seemed to bethe best plan, so I waited a few seconds before looking back up at Sawyer. “CanI pet the puppy?”

Nodding, Sawyer seemed to be fighting theurge to let out a deep breath. He definitely hadn’t been prepared for all theextra anxiety on what was probably their date night. “Yes, he’s an attention—ohwell, he likes attention.”

Probably shouldn’t say attention whorearound the little.

Giggling again, Ashton decided that washilarious and didn’t even remember he was supposed to be nervous until I ran myhand over the pup’s head. “Good pup.”

Going very still, Ashton watched the pup’smouth like he was going to attack at any second, but the cutie just wiggled andlet his tongue hang out. That got another happy sound from Ashton and he slowlyreached out to pat the pup’s belly.

It seemed like he wasn’t going anywherenear teeth, but the pup didn’t seem to mind. Sawyer’s attention whoredefinitely liked the pets and having everyone fawning over him. “See he’s anice pup.”

They should only come in nice, but Ashtongot strong reactions from everyone.

“Would you like to come throw the ball forhim?” Sawyer nodded toward the bottle that’d been left on the floor. “After youget a drink?”

More.

Okay…more drink? More pup?

Both.

Ashton tapped the puppy again and thenpointed toward his bottle before making the more sign again.

“I think that’s a great plan.” Wrappingmyself around him, I whispered in Ashton’s ear. “And maybe you can share yourcookies with the pup?”

Sharing seemed to be questionable but heliked being a good boy and he liked the idea of getting his cookies faster, soI got a quick nod to the idea. “Perfect.”

Taking his hand as I rose, I let him givethe pup one more careful tummy pat before helping Ashton stand up. “Let’s gofind some place to sit.”

Because after all that even my anxiety wasthrough the roof and I needed to relax for a minute. Ashton didn’t seem to noticeand just started making gimmie fingers at his diaper bag as I gatheredeverything up, but Sawyer flashed me an understanding smile. “There’s a couchby where we were sitting on the floor. That should work perfectly. And I’llintroduce you to our Master again. Jackson. You guys met at the barbecue butthere were a lot of people.”

“I remember that.” But again, names werehard. “He runs a dog training business, right?”

Wait.

Blinking, I glanced down at the wiggly pupwho was now doing tricks for a giggly Ashton. “Maybe I’m not remembering thatright. Sorry.”

Had I hallucinated that because one of themwas a pup?

For fuck’s sake what had—

Sawyer laughed and a voice behind thedoorway started coughing. “Oh, there’s a story there, but yes, he runs his owndog training business.”

Well, at least I hadn’t fucked anything up.

“Would it be rude to say I bet that comesin handy?” My dry response got another laugh from Sawyer and a giggle from Ashton.

And more coughs from Jackson who seemed tostill be waiting out of sight.

I admired the restraint when he’d probablybeen worried about Sawyer and the whole situation, but Ashton was so distractedwith the pup and his ability to sit, bark, and beg for his toy…and possibly thecookies…I didn’t think he’d notice another boring adult at all.

“Let’s get you a drink so you can shareyour snack.” More cookies would definitely need to go in the bag next time, butI felt better for having overpacked for our first club trip. “He seems hungry.”

Jackson stepped back from the doorway as wefollowed the pup into the room. “Don’t let that desperation fool you. He’salways ready for cookies and never as starving as he looks.”

Ashton registered he heard the words whenhe giggled but all his focus stayed on the pup as he rolled over and startedbegging for pets from his Master. Jackson shook his head, but leaned down andgave the pup enthusiastic tummy rubs. “Behave. Don’t shock your little friend.”

Oh.

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