Page 56 of Stick With Me
“I try,” I say, brushing the invisible dust off my shoulder.
Hannah shakes her head, but her smile returns. She pulls out her phone and snaps a few pictures of the dog she’s playing with. When she sets it down and returns her attention to the dog, I can’t help but notice her phone chirping and buzzing.
“Someone’s popular.” I tip my chin toward her phone.
“Oh, yeah… I posted the picture you took of us last night on my feed. It’s really blowing up.” I can’t help but smirk, picturing Knolls seeing the photo of Hannah and me together. The idea of him losing it brings a sense of satisfaction that I probably shouldn’t enjoy as much as I do.
“What about your new rescue account? Is it gaining any traction? I know you’re not doing the influencing stuff anymore, but you should at least use the online presence to help get the word out about your launch,” Ada says.
“Not yet, but it’ll take time for it to grow. I’m posting all these good boys and girls today.” She scratches the chin of the mutt cuddled up against her side. “They may not spark as much gossip as a hockey star and his girlfriend, but they’re definitely more adorable.”
“I don’t know. Have you seen you? You’re pretty adorable,” I say.
She laughs, brushing off the compliment with a playful roll of her eyes, but a slight blush creeps up her still-sun-kissed cheeks.
“Wow, you guys are too cute together,” Ada chimes in. “Ryan, go pose with her. Here, let me take a picture. That’s sure to generate some buzz, right?”
I’m sure her idea has merit, but honestly, I’m more into it because it gives me an excuse to be close to Hannah. I crouch, wrapping my arms around her as she leans back into me, my chest pressed against her back while she cradles the dog in her lap. The pup wags its tail, loving the extra attention as its wet nose nudges against my fingers.
“Perfect!” Ada hands the phone back to Hannah, who gets to work posting it to her rescue page, while Ada turns her attention to me. “I hear you’ll be at the fundraiser tomorrow. You’re Hannah’s date?” She raises her brows.
I glance at Hannah, but she’s too focused on her phone to notice my questioning look. I decide to take the safe route. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”
Ada gives me a slow nod, looking pleased, before leading us back to the kennels. While we’ve met a lot of great pups, none felt likeours, so the search continues.
We stop at the cage of a shaggy dog. He’s the size and coloring of a German Shepherd, but with a much thicker, fluffier coat of fur. His mismatched eyes—one brown, one blue—make him the cutest mutt I’ve ever seen. He sits calmly, watching us with sad eyes that silently beg to be taken home.
Hannah and I share a look of silent agreement. He’s the one.
“Oh, that’s Fred. Isn’t he adorable? He’s been here longer than most. He has a shy disposition, so people overlook him,” Ada tells us.
“Can we see him?” Hannah asks.
We head back into the same small room, this time with Fred, and while I’ve loved watching Hannah’s excitement for all the dogs, this is the first time mine matches hers.
“I think he’s perfect. Do you see those sad eyes?” Hannah whispers, grabbing my forearm and pinning me with her hopeful gaze.
“Yeah, he got me with those eyes, too.”
Ada shuts the door behind us, and Fred immediately gravitates toward Hannah but is standoffish with me. I take a seat in one of the plastic chairs and hold out my hand, hoping to entice him to say hello.
“He’s not the biggest fan of men,” Ada explains, still standing by the door.
Despite his size, Fred tries to fit on Hannah’s lap as she sits cross-legged on the floor.
“I don’t blame you, buddy. But I promise he’s a good one,” Hannah tells the dog, but the offhand compliment goes straight to my chest.
Fred is relentless in his attempts to lick her face. She giggles, dodging slobbery dog kisses. He couldn’t care less about me, but he’s clearly taken with Hannah.I get it, bud.
“Go say hi to your dad.” She tries to nudge him toward me, but he protests, flopping over in her lap to show off his belly. “What do you think? Do you want to keep looking? I’m sure you want your own dog to like you.”
I place a hand over my heart. “I’m wounded that you think he won’t warm up to me. He likes you, so clearly, he’s an excellent judge of character. I’m sure he’ll come around.”
She bites her lip, trying to contain her excitement. “Does that mean we’re doing this?”
“I think we should.” My heart picks up speed, and I can’t help but smile as the decision settles between us.
As I stand, she leaps up from her spot on the floor and barrels toward me, jumping into my arms. Her legs wrap around me, and I secure her further with my hands under her thighs. She pulls back to meet my gaze, the biggest smile spreading across her face. We’re so close our breath mingles. And for a brief second, I think she might kiss me again, but then her attention shifts to Fred, who’s watching us curiously. “Welcome home, Fred.”
