Page 35 of This Baby Business
“He doesn’t get it.” Stone came up to Emily and pulled her in with one arm. “Explain it to the newbie.”
“Well, Levi.” Emily stepped out of Stone’s arms and reached to pet Digger’s head. “You have just been adopted by Bentley.”
“No way. And his name is Digger now. A Bentley is a car, not a dog. Am I the only one who understands this?”
Emily turned to Stone. “I rest my case.”
“Yeah.” Stone nodded. “You already named him, dude. Rookie mistake.”
“No, no. Hold up.” He threw up his palms. “I can’t take him. I have a baby. Plus, this dog is nervous. And small. What if I accidentally step on him? Why do you think I put him in my jacket?”
“I think it’s because you’re a big guy with a protective streak and you sense that Digger needs you,” Emily said.
“Liar.” Levi ducked to find that Digger’s head had disappeared inside his jacket. “No. Can’t do it.”
“Please, please.” Emily put her hands together, prayer-like. “Please, Levi. Please!”
Levi glared at Stone, sending his brother in arms a telepathic message:save me before I kill you. Twice.
“Don’t look at me.” Stone shrugged. “We have Winston. He’s a hairy fart machine. The way I look at it, you got lucky, Airman.”
“Yeah, right.” Levi leveled Digger with an even, stern look. “This is just temporary.”
CHAPTER15
Carly
When Levi arrived to pickGrace up in the afternoon, I watched from the front window as he pulled something furry and small out of his truck. Something that looked a lot like a dog. I swung the door open to let him in. Upon closer inspection, definitely a dog. The teacup Chihuahua shook, and its eyeballs took up half the tiny face. I’d have to guess the pup was terrified by the looks of it, but to be honest, neither the dog or Levi looked happy.
“I’ll be right back. I need to get Digger situated before I come get Grace. Then we can talk.”
Grace was still napping, as often seemed to be the case at pickup time, so I used the time to pace the kitchen and figure out what I would say to Levi. I needed the right words again, and as usual they were in short supply. He needed to understand that I’d done this for Grace and not at all because I’d gotten carried away with all the kissing and the mind-blowing orgasm.
I went along with it because I thought an engagement sounded better than simply hooking up. I couldn’t let her know I’m the nanny.
I thought an engagement would signify commitment and a stable family life for Grace.
You were the one who was late!
Levi, I’ve been under a lot of stress. I might be having a nervous breakdown.
No. I wasn’t going for the pity factor. I’d done this with the best of intentions. He would just have to understand.
Levi returned within fifteen minutes and let himself in. Though I appreciated the white button-up Mcallister Charters shirt and black Dockers, I also enjoyed the way he filled out a plain cotton T-shirt. Hard not to notice the way his wide shoulders strained at the fabric. The well-worn jeans lying low on his hips were always a nice touch. And I didn’t hate the way he filled a room with his presence. With his alpha attitude and energy. He oozed male sexuality, and I wasn’t immune to that.
Reality check. It was possible that I had a little crush on my next-door neighbor.
“You owe me an explanation.”
“Do you have a dog now?” He couldn’t think I’d ignore the creature I’d noticed in his arms.
“It’s only temporary. The owners backed out of the adoption.” He dragged a hand through his hair.
Another pet adoption fail. Zoey had rescued three of those and found them new homes in record time. Except for Boo, whom she couldn’t seem to find a home for yet, being that he was a one-hundred-plus-pound Great Dane.
“I hope it works out,” I said.
“Nice try, by the way, but don’t change the subject. You owe me. Explain.”
