Page 25 of One Pucking Surprise
Chloe gasps, feigning outrage. “So I’m just left out? That’s how this works?”
“Babe, come on,” Wyatt says, moving closer. “It’s not like that.”
Chloe crosses her arms, her lip jutting out in a perfect pout. “I can’t believe you, Wyatt.”
He’s immediately backpedaling, his hands on her shoulders. “Okay, okay. You’re right. I should’ve told you. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
Chloe lets him squirm for another second before breaking into a laugh, pulling him into a hug. “You’re too easy.”
I glance at Lainey, her eyes flicking between Wyatt and Chloe with a flicker of guilt.
“See what you’ve done?” I say, stepping closer to her and dropping my voice low. “You’vestarted a feud between them. We’ll probably have to deal with this all day now.”
Her brows pull together. “I didn’t mean to. Guys don’t fight over this.”
I hold up a hand. “Relax, baby. I’m just playing.”
She lets out a soft laugh, shaking her head. “You’re the worst.”
“Accurate.” I smirk, watching as Chloe and Wyatt go full lovey-dovey in the middle of the field.
Chloe wraps her arms around Wyatt’s neck, murmuring something that makes him grin and pull her closer. I pretend to gag, earning a snort of laughter from Lainey.
“Knock it off,” she says, her tone teasing.
I nudge her shoulder lightly. “You’re just jealous of their romance. Admit it.”
“Hardly,” she says, rolling her eyes. Then, softer, “I’m waiting for my Mr. Perfect.”
I pause, the corner of my mouth lifting. “You’re looking at him.”
Her cheeks go pink, and she quickly turns away, muttering, “You’re impossible.”
“Impossible and perfect. What can I say?”
The event flows smoothly after that, with fans stopping by to snap pictures and kids lining up for autographs. Jasper drags us between pens,gushing over every dog he meets until, finally, one catches his eye.
“Dad! Mom! Come quick!”
They follow him to a pen where a tiny black-and-white puppy is bouncing on its paws, its tail wagging so fast it’s a blur. Jasper is already kneeling by the gate, his face lit up with joy.
“This is him!” Jasper announces, turning to Chloe and Wyatt. “This is Stanley.”
Chloe crouches beside him, brushing a hand over the puppy’s fur. “Stanley, huh?”
Wyatt looks at me, then at Jasper, his expression softening. “You sure about this one, buddy?”
“Yes!” Jasper says, nodding firmly. “He’s the best!”
The puppy yips as if agreeing, bounding over to Lainey and planting its paws on her knees. She laughs, scooping him up as the puppy licks her chin.
“Looks like he picked you, Aunt Lainey,” Jasper says, grinning.
Lainey turns to Wyatt and Chloe. “What do you think? Should Stanley go home with you guys?”
Wyatt sighs, glancing at Chloe, who’s already nodding. “Looks like we’ve got a new family member.”
“Yes!”Jasper cheers, throwing his arms around Lainey and the puppy.
