Page 15 of A Furry Thing Called Love
I look at him in confusion.“What do you mean?And she’s okay.Not reactive, but she can be unsure around others, though she loves Eli.I haven’t taken her to a dog park yet because I was trying to get her used to being out on the leash more before I did that.”
“That’s a good idea.We can definitely add that to our plan of attack.”
I stare at him.“What are you talking about, Jor?We?”
“Of course.I’ll be helping you train her.”
Immediately, I shake my head.“I can’t ask you to do that.”
He smiles softly.“You’re not, I’m offering.It’s not a hardship, I promise.She’s adorable, and I want to do this for the both of you.”
“You aren’t too busy?”
“No.You can bring her to some of my classes, too, but I have room for some one-on-one training with her.Really, you should have called me and asked for help.You know I’d never turn you down.”
That’s the problem.You’re too generous with me, even after I broke your heart.
I want to turn him down.Want to insist that he doesn’t need to give me any special accommodations, but it’s not just about me.I can’t do Millie a disservice by not giving her the best, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Jordan is the best fucking trainer there is in the area.So…I give him a small smile, hoping my gratefulness shows in my expression.
“Okay, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, just promise you’ll continue being honest with me about needing help—no matter what it is.And…I’ll promise to not be so overbearing.”
I laugh a little, not sure if I quite believe him, but trusting he’ll respect any boundary I put down.“Okay, I promise.”
Jordan gives me a blinding smile and it takes my breath away.
“I really do need to get going, before there’s a mutiny,” he says gently.“I’ll text you tomorrow to set up a time to start working with Millie?”
“Yeah, that’ll be fine.Thanks for everything today.”
“No problem.I’ll see you soon.”
“Yeah.”
He stands and looks down at me, his chest rising and falling with each deep breath.“I’ll see myself out.Bye, Arlo.”
“Bye, Jordan.”
We stare at each other for a long, charged moment, before he leaves me to my swirling thoughts.
Fuck.The physical pain has nothing on the emotional pain as my heart gives a violent thump at the sound of my front door opening and closing.
If this is a fraction of what he felt when I left all those years ago, it’s a miracle he’s willing to even be around me.But…that’s Jordan, selfless to his very core.
I didn’t deserve him then, and I sure as hell don’t now.But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try to earn his care and affection this time.
I have three years of regrets under my belt, and that has to count for something.Maybe.
Chapter11
Jordan
Luka
Jordan
