Page 46 of A Furry Thing Called Love
Cal mutters something under his breath in French.
“So how long are you in town for?”Axel asks.
“Just a few more days,” Jordan replies.
“And then you will be leaving me.”Val pouts.
“I have a job I need to get back to, and my menagerie.”
I snort.“Definitely need to get back to your menagerie.I’m sure Rodey is driving his babysitter crazy.”
Jordan laughs.“I left a list of tips and tricks, so hopefully not.”
“Is it really a menagerie?”Axel asks.“Who’s Rodey?”
“Rodey is my Amazon parrot.There’s also Porter, who’s a potbellied pig, and Jupiter is a Nigerian dwarf goat.I also have Indie, she’s a border collie, but I brought her with me; she’s hanging out at Luka’s right now.”
“Ooooh, I wanna meet her!You should have brought her with you, the staff here wouldn’t have cared.”
“Maybe if you behave, you’ll get invited,” Luka tells his friend.
Axel sticks his tongue out at him.“I’m always on my best behavior, thank you very much.”
“That’s probably the biggest lie you’ve told.”Lauri gives their partner a look.“Besides, we don’t need to crash anymore of their party.I’m sure Luka wants to spend time with his family without having to entertain you.”
Axel gasps.“I am adelight!And Luka’s best friend, so obviously he wants to hang out with me, and introduce me to everyone he knows, because that’s how friendships work.”
Lauri sighs and shakes their head.
Luka laughs.“You’re definitely something, Ax,” he tells them.
Axel smiles like it’s the best thing someone could have told them.“Why thank you.So, does this mean I can come see the puppy?”
Luka chuckles.“I don’t care, if it’s okay with Jordan?”
Jor shrugs.“Indie loves people, the more the merrier.”
Axel bounces in their seat.“Oh, yay!This is so exciting.I get to know where you live!I knew we were destined to be besties the moment I introduced myself at work.”
Lauri sighs and gives Luka a“see what you did”look, but Luka seems to find it entertaining as he just smiles at Axel.
Suddenly, Axel gasps.“Wait!Didn’t you say you just moved in with Graeme?That means I get to see where one of Lauri’s favorite authors lives!”They squeal.“Oooh, this is so exciting!Do you think I can post something online?”Axel leans over and looks at Graeme.“Nothing identifying, of course.But maybe something fun and teasing about how I got to hang out with you?I mean, I don’t read your books—no offense, reading and me just don’t mix—but I could have so much fun trolling your readers using Lauri’s account!”
“Oh, myGod,” Lauri moans.“Sometimes I want a divorce.”
Axel pats them on the shoulder.“Too bad we’re not married.”
“It’s been far too long since you’ve had a partner,” Lauri mutters.“Then at least I can pawn you off on them.”
Axel cackles.
“Can you two pretend to be normal, please?”Luka asks.
“Nope,” Axel replies.
“That’s boring,” Callum says.
Graeme and Luka both sigh.Rory seems to ignore the fact his kid is encouraging the madness, which is probably the smartest, safest course of action.
