Page 69 of Unexpectedly Falling
“Well, I’ll probably miss her so tell her I said hi and I’ll text her about book club.”
Book club?
“Sure thing,” I reply, but the way Ellison is looking at me says she knows it’s the first time I’ve heard of it. I’m not sure why it bothers me but it does. Nessa and I aren’t technically together because she’s adamant Blackstone Falls is only a temporary stop for her. But a book club feels like putting down roots.
Ellison studies me, and I have to school my expression before I give any more of my inner musings away. It’s a conversation I should have with Nessa instead of playing thewhat-ifgame in the middle of the adoptathon.
As if she approves the decision I’ve made, Ellison gives me a small nod then places a quick kiss on Montana’s cheek. The rest of us watch as Montana and Ellison, Queenie and Roo in tow, all head toward where Cullen Andrews is indeed dressed like Santa.
Looking down at Remi, I smile as she wraps her little hand around my finger. “Let’s go get you a puppy.”
32
NESSA
Practice ran late and a couple of the girls asked for some extra help with the drills we’d done. By the time we’d finished, Jensen had texted to say that he and Remi had returned home with a newfriend.
I told him I was on my way but guilt ate at me for having missed it. I knew the event was important to Jensen. The whole town had turned out to support Vetted Paws, and something about not showing up for it, for him, had me feeling a certain kind of way.
It was uncomfortable and I didn’t like it.
Grabbing my bag from the passenger seat, I take a steadying breath and push out of my car. The night air is crisp and cool, goose bumps erupting all over my skin as I cross the driveway and climb the porch steps. My hand stills on the doorknob, a momentary hesitation as disappointment floods me again. Tamping it down, I turn the knob and walk in to find Jensen on the living room floor.
His arm is propped up behind his head, a Christmas movie playing on the television and a tan-and-black puppy curled upagainst his side, fast asleep. It’s quite the sight and my heart squeezes for an entirely different reason.
“How was practice?” he asks quietly as I drop my bag and kick my shoes off before padding across the floor to sit next to him.
“I’m sorry I missed the event tonight,” I say without looking at him as I stroke the puppy’s soft fur.
When he doesn’t say anything, I look up to find him watching me, an unreadable expression on his face.
“How was practice?” he asks again, this time sitting up and bracing his palms on the carpet behind him.
“It was really good. The girls were really motivated, and I ended up staying after with a couple that wanted to work on the drills again. I lost track of time.”
“Are you upset because you’re devastated about not seein’ all the dogs, or is it because you think I’m upset with you?”
Biting my bottom lip, I look up at him through my eyelashes and brace myself for his reaction. But instead of disappointment, all I see is amusement and maybe a little adoration.
“I don’t know what we’re doing, Jensen, but I felt like I let you down, and it’s been a long time since I had to check in with someone else—to take their feelings into account—and I don’t know how I feel about it.”
“Hell of an emotional breakthrough, Miss Hart.” His lips twitch as his fingers caress the puppy’s fur.
“This is supposed to be temporary, Jensen. My life isn’t conducive to pets and promises and follow-through.”
“I know, but I like that smile on your face from bein’ with the team. And I like that you wished you could have made it tonight. But I’m not upset, Ness. None of this is easy and I don’t know what the right answer is, but I know that I love havin’ you in mybed and coming home to you.” He shrugs. “I think we’re doin’ all right.”
“Is that enough?”
“It is for now.”
“So, we just keep having sex and playing house?”
Jensen’s lips twitch. “I can think of worse ways to spend a couple of months with you.”
I laugh, startling the dog who blinks sleepily at me and stretches. “But what happens at the end of January? I don’t want to lose Remi and?—”
“Are you fallin’ for me, Trouble?”
