Page 114 of Chasing Lyric
Maybe enough is enough.
My hands flex through my hair, restless with frustration. I clench my jaw to keep from letting the string of curses inside me loose. Because the truth is, I don’t have a Plan D.
I look over at Dax, his expression unreadable. “I don’t know what happened,” I mutter, staring through the windshield like it’ll give me answers. “I was sure she’d melt for the puppies… melt for me.”
But the only one melting right now is any chance I had.
Because watching her walk away from all that joy like it meant nothing?
That fucking hurt.
Dax nudges me hard in the ribs. “Wait… she’s coming back.”
I snap my gaze to the front of her house. The door swings open and out walks Lyric—barefoot, her handbag nowhere in sight. My pulse kicks as she ditches the armor. The heels. The pretense. And she’s walking straight toward the playpen. Lyric doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t second-guess. She steps over the edge of the enclosure with a kind of softness I haven’t seen from her in weeks. The moment she sinks into the sea of golden fur, the pups launch like heat-seeking missiles, yipping and pawing and crawling up her legs like she’s their long-lost pack leader.
And then, fuck me, she smiles.
Not that tight, forced thing she’s been wearing lately, but the real deal. Her whole face lifts. Eyes bright, cheeks flushed, the corners of her mouth tipping up as if sunshine finally found its way back into her life.
My heart cracks wide open at the sight of that smile. It guts me. Fills me up. Wrecks me in the best way. Because I did that, I gave her this moment, this bubble of happiness she didn’t expect and maybe didn’t think she deserved.
I can’t take my eyes off her. Her head tilts back, a roar of unbridled laughter erupting from her delectable lips as a puppy climbs into her lap, trying to eat her hair. Another crawls up her chest and starts licking her jaw, and she lets it happen, arms open, heart wide, taking in all the puppy love.
My hands clench into fists in my lap, not from frustration this time, but from trying to keep myself rooted. Every instinct in me wants to go to Lyric. To drop into that playpen, wrap my arms around her, and bury my face in her neck while those damn puppies use us both as a jungle gym.
Dax lets out a low whistle. “Well, shit, man. That’s a win if I’ve ever seen one.”
But I don’t answer.
I can’t.
Because right now, all I can think about is how brilliant it feels to witness her like this in her element.
Happy. Soft. Unburdened.
And knowing I had something to do with that?
That’severything.
The puppies crowd, making her fall onto her back. She giggles when they jump all over her, licking her face as she rolls around with them while the handler tries to pull some off her.
Dax lets out a low whistle, arms crossed as he watches Lyric. “You’re really in deep with her, huh?”
I drag my eyes off her, reluctantly. “No shit. You just figured that out now?”
He shrugs, that shit-eating grin creeping onto his face. “Wasn’t doubting it. But damn, man, the way you’re looking at her? If you stared any harder, you’d knock her up from across the street.”
I snort. “Keep talking, Romeo. Maybe I’ll get you a gift basket and some puppy therapy too.”
He laughs, bumping my arm. “Nah, I’m good. But for real, I’ve never seen you like this. You used to be Mr. Hit It and Vanish.”
“And now I’m Mr. Stay the Fuck Put,” I say, my voice low as I glance back at her. “Didn’t plan it. Didn’t see it coming. But Lyri’s it. She’s the only woman I willeverwant.”
Dax whistles again. “Damn. Look at you, all grown up. Next thing I know, you’ll be quoting those Hallmark movies she keeps comparing you to and crying into your protein shake.”
I roll my eyes, smirking. “Say that again and I’ll shove that shake up your ass.”
He chuckles. “There’s my guy, there’s still a shred of you left in there.”
