Page 99 of Lorcan
“You take commitment seriously.”
“Yes, I really do.”
“Moving in together is a commitment.”
“Yes.”
“Getting a dog together is a responsibility I suspect you didn’t take lightly.”
“Oh no. Mei means everything to me. To us.”
“Well, you’re going to be perfect puppy daddies. I just love the idea of Cody no longer being alone. He’s got good friends, but he needs someone warming his bed.”
And the heat flooded back to my cheeks.
She grinned. “I like that you have scruples. That you’re such a, what was the word I chose?”
“Traditionalist?”
“Yep. That’s the one.”
Cody stuck his head through the open sliding glass door. “Ham—and everything else—is on the table.”
Mei made a beeline for said table.
Genessa put a hand on my arm. “You’re going to have to help this old woman into that high seat.”
Cody winced. “I was thinking we’d eat on the couch.”
“Pshaw. You have a perfectly lovely table. A little high, but that’s all the rage these days.” Genessa headed into the main room.
I followed, closing the door behind me. Light still flooded the room. We were having a break in the snow, but more was promised soon.
Helping Genessa wasn’t too difficult—she was spryer than she claimed to be. Then I helped Cody bring the plates to the table. He’d served everyone and, to my infinite relief, hadn’t added pineapple to my plate.
“I gave yours to Genessa,” he teased.
“I heard that.” Genessa clucked her tongue. “I’ll make a pineapple lover out of you yet.”
“Uh.” I winced. “I really doubt that.”
“Grilled with barbecue sauce? Thank you, dear.” She put her cloth napkin on her lap as Cody set her plate before her. I put his at his seat and added mine. He returned with three glasses of water.
Genessa sighed. “I miss my wine. Alas, Dr. Raymond said I couldn’t have it anymore.”
“He’s watching out for your health.” Cody slid onto his barstool.
I did the same. “Oh, wait.” I slid off.
“Forget something?” Cody met my gaze.
“I promised Mei a little piece of ham if she was well-behaved.” I cut a small slice of ham into tiny pieces and put them in her food bowl. I put in on the mat and my hand was barely out of the way before she pounced.
“You’re supposed to get her to sit first.” Cody grinned. “And then tell her to wait.”
Genessa laughed. “Wait for your ham? No woman can resist it.”
Mei licked her bowl and then gazed up at me.
