Chapter 19 Lily
Lily
I thought a puppy would be a lot like when we had a baby pig, Miss Waddles.
I used to sneak her into my bed and she loved it.
My parents didn’t. Neither did Parker when he would sneak into my room and find her in my bed.
When we were teenagers that was a fairly common occurrence for us.
Sometimes I would ask him to come over. Other times he wanted to come over himself.
I always kept my window unlocked for him. Being in the basement was easier because it was ground level and he didn’t have to scale an entire building. I haven’t thought about the fact that I’ve also kept it unlocked since Aaron left.
But now I’m not bringing Miss Waddles into my bed. Now, I have Tulips. Not the tulips Parker got me.
My new puppy, a Bernese Mountain Dog mix, Tulips.
It took me all of two seconds to fall in love with her as soon as I got to the animal shelter with Bailey and Wes. The giant, scary looking man that’s Bailey’s boyfriend was holding this black, brown, and white puppy in his arms and I couldn’t help myself when I approached them.
“Remember what I said about a nun?” I say to Bailey and she just shakes her head at me.
Wes doesn’t say anything as he hands me the puppy that looks a lot bigger in my arms than she did in his.
The man is six-foot-six of pure muscle, anger and hotness.
Bailey looks like a supermodel fresh off the runway without even trying.
I would watch them twenty-four hours a day if it wasn’t weird.
Weird to them. I don’t think it would be weird to me.
“She’s about four months old,” Wes grunts, wrapping an arm around Bailey’s shoulder and she leans into him.
I look down at the puppy, so I don’t think about the pain in my chest at the sight. Especially because Parker would have come with me today if I asked. Maybe he should have.
No, I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone.
Except this adorable puppy who’s licking my face.
“If you don’t let me take her home, I’m stealing her,” I announce.
“No need to commit a crime. You can take her home,” Wes tells me.
“Just tell me what I need to do.” I hug her tightly to my chest because I refuse to let her go.
As soon as I get her in my car and see the flowers still resting on my passenger seat, I know exactly what I’m going to name her.
If anyone asks the reason behind her name I’ll say something else. She has two lips…tulips. Yeah, it has nothing to do with my favorite flower that my ex-boyfriend got me after I broke up with my shitty other ex-boyfriend.
Absolutely nothing.
Now, I’ve learned that having a puppy is a lot of work. She likes to chew on everything she can get her teeth on. Especially my socks. Also, potty training is hard, but we’re working on it.
When I curl up into bed and she snuggles up to me it’s all worth it.
Everyone in my family fell in love with her just as fast as I did. Except Jerry Lee.
“Jizz!” he squawks, flying down to the ground to walk up to Tulips.
“Jerry Lee, be nice,” I instruct, crouching down as he approaches.
Tulips just sits, her ears flopping as she turns her head to watch the bird. As he gets closer Tulips lets out a weak “woof” and slides onto her stomach to lay down. Jerry Lee answers with his own, much louder bark, and she freaks out, getting to her feet, but sliding on the wood floors.
I laugh. “Don’t be a dick, Jerry Lee.”
“Dick! Hunky Parker!”
“Oh good, another word.” I huff.
Tulips lets out another squeak bark.
“Who do you think will be annoyed first? Tulips or Jerry Lee?” my mom asks, coming into the room.
Tulips is currently trying to jump, run, and play with the bird, so I feel like the question is answered right away.
“Speaking of tulips,” my mom goads, gesturing toward the flowers in a vase I snuck onto the dining table. The one I hoped no one would ask about.
“Hm? What? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I stand up, and let Tulips run around trying to chase Jerry Lee who’s up on his cage again.
“No? Where did they come from?”
“The flower daddy,” I deadpan.
“Is that a new nickname for someone?”
“Yeah, the hot florist at the shop down the street.” I’m doing everything I can to divert the conversation from going to where I know it’s going to go anyway. Because she’s my mom and she knows me better than anyone.
“He gave you flowers, or you went and got them yourself? Or…option three?”
“What’s option three? Maybe they’re from dad. Happy birthday!”
“My birthday is in March, and I like Lilies.” She winks.
I slouch as Tulips takes a tumble after trying to jump onto Jerry Lee’s cage.
“Want to tell me where they really came from?” she asks gently.
“Technically I told you,” I murmur. She raises an eyebrow at me and I groan before mumbling. “Parker gave them to me.”
“Oh, did he?” She smiles, and I roll my eyes.
“It’s not a thing, don’t act like it is.” I wave her off.
“Right, okay. They’re pretty.”
“Yup, sure. Anyway, I’m going to try and get some sleep before my shift tonight.”
“Who will be on Tulips duty?”
“You all can fight over her.” I pick up my puppy and she immediately starts covering my face with her kisses.
When I climb into bed, I plug my phone in to charge and it lights up with a text.
Parker: Heard you got a dog. What’s its name?
Lily: Her name is none of your business.
Parker: Aw come on, Lil. Can’t we have a truce?
Lily: I’ll think about it.
Lily: …thank you for the flowers.
I put my phone face down on my nightstand and cover my face with my hands. He’s getting to me, just like I know he wants to. And it’s working.
Tulips snuggles up against my side, and I relax. Maybe Parker and I can be friends again. Our history doesn’t have to matter. I’ll carefully protect my heart, so it doesn’t get broken by him again. But friends is something I could do.
When I close my eyes with the familiar weight of a small animal in my bed I’m drifting off into a memory as I fall asleep.
There’s a hand on my shoulder, the warmth and weight I’m extremely familiar with. Even before I knew what it felt like on my skin, I’ve always sensed Parker. It’s like my body has always known when he’s around.
I try to turn over to see him, but Miss Waddles lets out a soft snort in her sleep, and I know I can’t disturb her. It doesn’t matter because the familiar person is climbing into my bed behind me. He wraps an arm around my middle to pull me back against his chest.
“You replacing me, Lil?” Parker asks softly against my hair.
I turn to look over my shoulder at him. “Never.”
He brings his lips down onto mine, and I melt completely. I try to roll over again so I can get closer to him, feel our chests press together. Especially when I feel how hard he is behind me, and I want to feel more.
But as I try to move again Miss Waddles lets out a louder squeal of protest that has us breaking apart with soft laughter.
“I don’t think she wants me here,” he teases, nudging his nose with mine.
“Too bad, because I do.” I lean up to kiss him again, and as soon as his tongue rubs against the seam of my lips, I open for him and lose all sense.
I never thought kissing someone would literally make my mind go blank, but with Parker that’s exactly what happens. It’s just him and me in our own bubble.
Until Miss Waddles makes herself known again, and then I’m forced to remember we have an intruder.
“What a cock block,” I huff.
“That’s okay, I just want to hold you.”
He means it because that’s exactly what we do for the rest of the night.