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“Stay beside me and I’ll do the talking.” I’m chatting it up with a fucking frenchie, expecting her to speak back. It’s evident I’ve been living in a house alone with two women for far too long.
My man card is soon to be revoked, I’m sure of it. But I have a soft spot for this furry mama.
Zion walks ahead, leading me with the shake of her stubby tail. She’s independent like her mother, too.
I let her lead and follow her bouncy steps into Tenley’s room. I’m seconds away from knocking on the door, not realizing it’s already open when Zion barges in on a goddamn mission, leaving me to handle my own greeting.
“Zion!” I yell in a harsh whisper, hoping Tenley isn’t asleep. I took Zion on a joyride while Tenley ran some errands and figured we would surprise her when she got back. I wanted to make sure she wasn’t napping before bothering her.
She needs a lot of naps these days, especially after spending most of her day behind a computer screen at Makers. My girl is tired from work and growing our little guy.
She’s one hell of a woman.
It’s been two weeks since I put my fucking heart on the line and I’m getting antsy waiting on her to feed me a goddamn bone.Literally.
I want her heart. Wildly beating and jagged around the edges. I want to be the one she picks to keep it. To treasure it like the sacred vessel of beauty it is.
I may be patient, but I’m one bad decision away from deciding for her.
I just need to convince her I’m worth the shot.
“Hi, baby girl!” Tenley’s voice squeals as Zion pounces on her. She’s sprawled out on the bed in nothing but panties and an oversized T-shirt, her long blonde hair in a messy bun on top of her head.
Irresistible.
I want to kiss her, but we’re not quite at the stage where it’s acceptable without me expressing my intention ahead of time. At least Ithinkwe aren’t.
I’m so far in my head it’s ridiculous.
And as sexy as Tenley looks, I just want to hang out with her.
“Uh, hey.” I pop my head in the doorway, awkward as shit, hoping she gives me the go ahead before I walk in on my own.
“August, hey!” Tenley greets me. “Are you responsible for this cuteness?” She scrunches Zion’s face and kisses her little nose.
“I’m afraid I am,” I reply, hoping for the best as I enter her room and take a seat at the edge of her bed. “Although, who knew that salon would be so judgy? I guess they’ve never seen a tall man with a dalmatian frenchie before, huh?”
Dalmatian frenchie isn’t a thing, but Zion looks like one with her black and white speckles.
Tenley giggles and it’s so fucking full. “A tallmustachedman with a dalmatian frenchie,” she corrects me, smiling brightly. “This was so thoughtful, August. She looks adorable!”
“It was nothing.” I wave her off. “They asked if I wanted pink or purple bows and I had no idea what you would like so I chose pink. Hope that’s okay.”
“Pink is perfect.” Tenley reaches for my hand and runs her thumb across my palm. “Thank you for thinking of me and doing this for her.”
I nod and not a second later, Zion looks at me and barks, causing Tenley to fall over in laughter. “Oh, now you speak up?” I scold her. “I thought we were like this.” I twist my index and middle finger, signaling the bond Zion and Ioncehad.
Like she’ll actually understand me.
Tenley kisses Zion’s head. “I thought she loved you?” she asks in disbelief. I shrug. “You better be nice, little miss.He’s here to stay,” Tenley whispers loud enough for me to hear.
She may not have meant it how I received it, but knowing Tenley considers me as someone worth staying—someone permanent—makes my chest burst with pride.
Because she has no idea how permanent I intend to be.
“So, how was your day? Spoil yourself at all? Grab an overpriced coffee? Fall in love with me yet? Tell me all about it.”
Tenley shoves me playfully. “You weirdo. I had to go by the hospital to get my registration completed and out of the way. I didn’t want to have to worry about it months from now when I’m dead to the world. But yes. I did get a horribly overpriced latte at Java, then sat by the river for a while in silence. It was nice.”
