Page 45 of Shameless
“Well, since I’m going to scout locations for the club tomorrow, I hope that means I’ll be here more often and you won’t be alone.”
“Yeah, but won’t it take a while to start the construction process and get the place up and running?”
“We had a quick turnaround time with the Houston location. It all depends on the location and what work needs to be done. Plus, I’ll tell my brother I need to be here to oversee things. That’s what I did with Houston.”
“And where do you plan on staying?”
I glanced over at her and winked. “With you, of course.”
She grinned. “I’m just teasing, but we just made it official this morning and now you’re already moving in?”
She had a point, but I didn’t think of it as moving in. More just being with her. That was all I wanted and couldn’t stop thinking about it. “I work fast when I want something, sweet thing.”
“Okay, but what will happen after the club is open?”
I lifted a shoulder. “We’ll see. My brother has several clubs open, and he lives in San Francisco. I’m sure it won’t be a problem if I move here permanently if we decide to get more serious by then.”
“Then I guess maybe shopping for a dog isn’t the only thing we should do.”
“You mean to find you a new apartment?”
“Maybe?” She grimaced. “I just can’t imagine being alone now once you go back to Houston. Even if it’s only temporary.”
“Hey.” I reached over and grabbed her hand. “Like I said, you have this little lady now. Plus, call the cops if anything happens, but I will try not to be gone long. If I have to, I’ll make quick twenty-four-hour trips to Houston or something.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, or maybe you can come with me sometimes too. Check out the club and all that.”
“See Aunt Deb,” Sarah added.
“Yeah. We can take a road trip to Texas with Smokey here and stop at Deb’s place on the way to Houston.”
“Smokey?” She chuckled. “You think a girl dog should be named Smokey?”
“I don’t know. You want to name her Bella or Twilight?” I teased. Sarah’s dog was blue but could also pass as silvery-gray. She also had white on her chest and all four feet, as though she was wearing socks. “Or Socks.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow and pulled into the parking lot of a pet store. “I’m not naming her after a vampire movie, nor footwear.”
“Okay, just trying to help,” I sassed playfully.
“But I am leaning toward Skye.”
I smiled as she pulled into a parking spot. “You love your sunsets in the sky.”
“And since Sunset doesn’t really fit, I think Skye works.”
“I like it.”
“Then that’s what it will be.” She leaned over and kissed the top of Skye’s head. “Let’s go get you a name tag.”
* * *
After we boughteverything Skye needed and made her at home in Sarah’s apartment, we ordered Chinese. Once it was delivered and our plates were filled with yummy goodness, we settled on the couch in front of the TV. I hadn’t asked because I didn’t want to pry, but Sarah’s apartment was on the minimal side. She had a couch and coffee table, but no dining room table or a place to eat other than in front of the TV. She, of course, had her bed, but if I had to guess, her ex-husband had kept most of everything.
After being fed, walked, and played with, Skye lay in her doggie bed chewing on a puppy toy shaped like a bone. Sarah flipped on the TV and asked, “Want to watch a movie?”
“Sooo, football is out?” We’d been gone all day, and I hadn’t watched any football, but that was fine because the moment Sarah spotted Skye, I could see the instant love Sarah had for her, and that made me happy. Even though Skye was only nine weeks old, it put me somewhat at ease that Sarah wouldn’t be home alone when I went back to Houston.
