Page 154 of A Little Crush
Nothing.
I collapse on the couch in the family room and pull outmy phone so I can call Rory to find out where she is when the time on my cell distracts me.
Shit.
The elevator opens. Squatting next to Hades, Rory removes his leash, and he bounds into the family room, jumping onto the cushion beside me.
Scratching behind his ear, I cautiously say, “Hey.”
“Hey,” Rory returns.
I zero in on her hand, curious to see if she’s tapping away on her thigh, but there’s no shaky movements.
“Where’d you go?” I prod.
“Figured Hades could use a quick walk and a bathroom break before I sit down and never get back up again,” she explains. Rummaging through the fridge, she adds, “Hey, are you hungry?”
“Nah, I’m good. Too exhausted to be hungry.”
She finds something to snack on, then grabs a spoon from the drawer and sways into the family room before curling up on the cushion beside me.“You’re missing out. It’s strawberry.” She pulls the lid off the yogurt, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
Is she really okay?
Digging her spoon into the cup, she pulls out a massive bite, but instead of putting it into her mouth, she brings it closer to me.
“Rore, I’m really not?—”
Yogurt smears against my nose, and I jerk back, wiping it away. “What was that for?”
“Told you I owed you.” She smirks and shoves the bite into her mouth.
With a low laugh, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and tug her into my side. “Smart-ass.”
“Mm-hmm,” she hums around another bite of yogurt asHades lifts his head. “Give me a minute,” she tells him. “I’ll let you lick the cup once I’m done.”
I’d tease her for assuming he understands what she’s saying even though he’s a dog, but he lowers his head back to the cushion, proving she might be onto something. “You spoil him,” I point out.
“I totally do, and I regret nothing.” She scoops up another bite, devouring half the serving in under a minute.
“You really were hungry,” I realize.
“You have no idea.” She licks the edge of her mouth, cleaning up a small splotch of yogurt. “I was too stressed about Poppy’s fever to eat any actual dinner, but now that we’re finally home, and I know she’s safe, I feel like I can kind of breathe.”
Home.
She called this place home.
Warmth spreads through my ribcage as I watch her finish the yogurt with one final scoop.
She sets the empty container on the ground. “Here you go, buddy.”
Hades jumps off the couch without having to be told twice and starts licking the container clean.
A soft smile plays at the edge of Rory’s lips as she watches him, and I can’t help but lean in to kiss her. I’ve always loved this about her. The way she’s always thinking of others. The way she finds joy in making others happy. The way she looks outside of herself. Fuck, I love this girl.
When I pull away, her smile widens. “What was that for?”
“Just love you.”
