Page 59 of Hearts Held
It’s rather horrible how much I’m enjoying his possessive qualities.
Glancing over to the corner of the room, I find Piggy’s stout form. He is sitting upon his haunches and staring me down as if he has the ability to read my mind.
“Stop judging me!” I growl at him. He proceeds to stand on all fours and trot toward me, then sits beside me, his yellow eyes gleaming.
“What?” I ask, placing the rest of my counted money into the lockbox and securing it back in its hiding spot.
As I crouch down, Piggy inches closer, then takes the advantage of snorting into my ear.
Playfully I swat him away as he calmly pushes my small frame onto my side. He towers above me, limbs on either side of my body as he proceeds to lower his bulky, wrinkly head and sniff at my head.
“Whatareyou doing!?” I muster between giggles.
Then Piggy drops one shoulder and nuzzles into me like a large cat, then rolls onto his back beside me.
His limbs are splayed within the air as I turn my gaze toward him. His jowls drape onto the ground as his large teeth gleam from the morning window light, appearing as if he’s smiling. Funny how this canine can be so loving and silly with me, but those large teeth had been wrapped around Dr. Brendon’s leg, ready and willing to rip him limb from limb for threatening me.
I chuckle, turning onto my side toward him. “You’re a pretty good boy,” I state while rubbing my hand across his furry, barreled chest. He pants with glee.
Then, in one swift movement, Piggy sneezes violently. It sprays within a one-foot radius of his big bulky head.I can feel the droplets on my cheek, my laughter thundering through my chest.
“Well, that’s not the most abhorrent bodily fluid that has gotten on my skin.” Patting his stomach, I sit up, looking over at my full laundry basket.
“Oh dear.” I look back over at my wrinkly companion. “You think you can help me with that?”
He squirms his body to glance where I’m pointing, then looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Figured so,” I state. “You know, half of my clothing wouldn’t need a wash if you’d stop stealing it with that drooling muzzle of yours.” Pig snorts in my direction as he tries to get up from the floor.
I grab my clothing and get ready for a cold winter walk. As I leave, Piggy posts up at the front door awaiting my return, or Biscuit’s visitation.
Their growing relationship has provided pure entertainment. One day I walked in to find Piggy running around with Biscuit’s torn-up oxford. Biscuit was huffing and puffing, repeatedly stating, “You’re takin’ the piss, dog, you’re takin’ thepiss!”
The chime of the laundromat front door rings. As I walk up to the farther side of the room, I feel someone place their belongings beside me.
Seraphina.
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
“Hey ya, how ya doing?” she asks in a sing-song tone. I plaster a blank expression on my face then pick up my belongings and move to another section of washers.
She follows.
“Look, Brielle, I’m so sorry,” she states.
I continue tonotacknowledge her existence. Reaching out a bejeweled hand, she ceases my movements. I look up at her gorgeously painted face as she delivers a small, innocent smile.
She cocks her beautiful head to the side. “I want to make amends. I believe I made the wrong impression and would love to show you a good time!”
As she cocks her head, I cock an eyebrow in distrust.
“Please. I’d love to take you to the winter solstice party. You can come with me as my plus-one!” She gestures with her hands out toward me.
I wonder why Everett invitedherto the winter solstice party, but notme. Granted, he said it was for work, butdon’t I work for them, as well? What the hell is he hiding from me?
A small spark of jealousy and rage ignites within my stomach.
I smile curtly. “You know what? I think I’ll take you up on that offer.”
