Page 50 of Switch
“If you don’t want him, I can take him for a while,” PJ murmurs.“I’m a little worried about him and Jolene getting along, and like I said, I think you two could be good for each other.I knew it was a gamble bringing him here, though.Simon warned me that animals given as gifts often wind up back at the shelter.So, if you don’t want him, you can say no.”
No.No, I really shouldn’t.But I can’t look at this little face snuggling against me and make my lips move.
“Just until he finds someone to adopt him,” I say.
“Awesome.”PJ claps his hands.“I’ll get the rest of his stuff from the car.”
I fall into a time warp as I stare down at this little warm bundle in my arms.The puppy yawns, snuggles into me, yawns some more, and then lets his tongue loll out of his mouth.Honestly, I should put him down, but watching him fall down over and over kind of hurts.
“I think that’s everything.”
I blink and come to, finding the room has changed around me while I was staring at… “You said his name’s Bruiser?”
“That’s the name the rescue gave him.You can change it if you want.Simon said whatever you call him is what he’ll get used to.”
“Bruiser.”The dog blinks his eyes open.He must know the name.“I think we’ll keep it.”
“What’s all this stuff?”I scan the room, which is suddenly cluttered with dog paraphernalia.A crate, a bed, some toys, and over in the kitchen, I can see PJ set up a food and water station.
“Just, you know, dog things.The crate and a couple of the toys came from Simon’s place, but I also stopped and got a few things at that Pet Boutique place.Probably more than he needed, but there’s this kind old lady who runs the place, and I think she knew a sucker when she saw one.”
“Let me pay you back.”I remember the bank receipt I found after our first date, when PJ got me breakfast.“If I’m taking care of him, then I should pay.”
PJ shakes his head.“Nah.Simon said to send the receipt to the rescue.They’ll cover fostering expenses, at least for the food and whatnot.”
The look on his face tells me he’s not interested in arguing, so I bite my tongue.I’m looking at way more than the basics.The fluffy bed and the gourmet-looking treats alone must have set him back.But I decide to let it go, at least for now.
Buying stuff for a dog that’s not yours and refusing reimbursement, those aren’t the actions of a gold-digger, right?Wes can stuff his opinions where the sun doesn’t shine.
It doesn’t stop me from wondering what else PJ wants.Or is it possible things are actually good for a change?
“Okay, just… I’ll take care of things from here on out,” I tell him.Between my books and the estate Marina left behind, I have enough money to keep me comfortable for a good long while.If I didn’t need something to do with my time, I could probably get away with not working at all.PJ doesn’t need to take care of everything.He shouldn’t when money’s more of an issue for him.
That doesn’t mean I’m not loving the way he takes care of me, though.A little too much.When Marina was alive, my job was taking care of her.Supporting her.Bringing coffee in the morning, buying her art supplies, and keeping the house clean.
I liked feeling useful.Wanted.Needed.Our lifestyle gave me a sense of belonging and purpose.
Still, it’s unexpectedly addictive the way PJ makes me feel so cared for.
I glance at the puppy that’s fallen asleep in my arms.For now, I guess I have a new purpose.The smug way PJ’s eyeing us both, I suspect he knows.
“Hey, I almost forgot,” he says, “that mulch and stuff is still in your driveway.You need some help getting rid of it?”
“Shit.”I set the sleeping dog gently on his new bed.“I need to call and cancel or they’ll keep dropping it all off twice a year.”
“What have you been doing with it?”
My face heats.“Putting it in the garden.”Even though I hate working in the garden.Especially in summer.
“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” PJ says in his take-charge tone.“Sit down over here.”
“What?Why?”
PJ’s only answer is pointing to a chair in the corner of the living room, and I do as I’m told.Then he walks over, holding out his phone.
“Here.”
“What?”When I look down, he’s got the number pulled up for the local garden center.Oh.
