Page 117 of The End of Me

“I can’t believe you got a fucking dog.” Finn stares at the kennel I’m carrying toward my SUV. “What the fuck are you going to do with it?”

“Cook her,” I joke.

Finn glares at me.

“As I told the vet, I know just the right person for her. Also, we can use her at the practice. She’s hypoallergenic, friendly with children, and… I can’t remember what else she said about the puppy.” I shrug one shoulder.

“She’s cute. I’ll give you that, but not enough to adopt her.”

“You should’ve adopted one of her brothers.”

He snorts. “Hard pass. What are you doing for the rest of the day?”

“Taking this girl to her forever home and making sure she has everything she needs.”

Finn shakes his head in disapproval. “Things won’t work out for you, but before you take her to the shelter, bring her to me. I might know someone who might take her.”

“She’s going to be okay,” I assure him.

“And here I thought you were the cautious one of the two of us.”

“I don’t recall teaching you how to be sarcastic.” I glare at him.

“There are a lot of things you didn’t want to teach me, but I know how to do them now.” He smirks. “Let me know when you want me to demonstrate.”

“Are you flirting with me, Gil?”

“Probably. I haven’t gotten that down yet. When I do it online, this woman can’t take a hint, and when I’m direct, she turns me down too fast.”

I can’t help but scoff. “You’re trying online dating?”

“Nope. She’s my… it’s complicated, but we have a working relationship.”

“That’s where you’re failing, my friend. You shouldn’t be mixing business with pleasure.”

“Does that mean we can’t be together?”

How did we get to this point? I find him attractive, and we have good chemistry, but being with him might jeopardize my chances with Piper. Then, there’s Piper, the woman who’s waiting for the dead man to come back into her life. Should I give it a try to be with Finn?

What if he remembers something and suddenly he’s married to some drug queen from the south?

“We’re a different story. You’re emotionally constipated and still trying to figure out who you are.”

“I’m talking about fucking, nothing else.”

“You sure know how to charm a man.”

“I have to ask before I continue pushing, are you straight or gay?”

“Pansexual, but that’s not the point. I find you attractive, and under different circumstances, I would be happy to take the offer.” I point at the kennel. “But I’m taking this lady home.”

Finn’s nostrils flare, obviously, I didn’t make him happy, but I don’t give a rat’s ass about it. The last time I tried to please everyone and stopped thinking about my heart, I ended up screwed seven ways to Sunday. I’m still broken and probably bitter about the whole ordeal.

“Take care of yourself, D.” Finn waves, walking toward his Bugatti.

Though I’m glad he’s in a better place, I’m concerned that the resentment and need to avenge the kid who lost his parents and memory are making him a bitter person. I have to help him and be there for him, but I have to keep my attraction contained and my heart under lock.

I parkthe car in the garage a block from the apartment building where I live and carry the pup all the way to my place. Once I place her in an empty box with a blanket, I text Piper to check where she’s at, but I don’t get a response.

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