Chapter 6
Dylan
“He does look happier with you than with the crowd,” Mel said. “I should get back to them.”
“Are they here to adopt dogs?”
“No, it’s a visit from a nearby kindergarten.
The kids learn not to abandon animals, and the dogs are happy they have company.
” She came closer, petting the puppy I was holding.
"You made someone happy. The kids are leaving in a few minutes, but I still have to feed the dogs and close this place up for the evening. Are you okay with that?”
“Sure. I’ll look around.”
“You didn't have to come at all, and it's not even raining anymore.”
“I told you I was curious about this place. And about you.”
She smiled playfully, holding her hands at her sides. “I don’t have any secrets. Despite what I said in my drunk, flirty text. I’m an open book.”
“We’ll see about that,” I teased.
She cleared her throat, glancing at the pen. “Okay, well, I’m going to wrap up everything with the kids, and then I’ll show you around. And I’ll take him.”
She pointed to the puppy, who didn’t protest at all when she scooped him under her arm.
“I’ll wait here.”
“Okay. I’ll be quick.”
She went back to the pen and brought all the dogs inside the house along with the kids. A few minutes later, the kids and the kindergarten teacher were all in the minivan. It was just Mel and me now.
“All yours now,” she declared. “Come on. I’ll give you a tour.”
I walked right next to her as she led me inside the house. I couldn’t stop looking at her. Her hair covered the curve of her neck, but it tempted the hell out of me.
The second we walked inside, the dog that attacked my suit earlier appeared in the hall. Mel laughed.
“It’s like he has radar for you,” she said as he ran toward me again.
This time I scooped him up before he could do any more damage to my pants. He seemed like a mix of black Labrador and cocker spaniel.
“I think so too. Little guy, don’t get used to this.”
"You don't like animals?" Mel asked.
“I do like them. I grew up in Montana in a small town. We were around the animals a lot. We had a dog and two cats growing up. Isabelle loves them too, and I know she wants a dog once they get settled. She and Brayden are moving into a huge house with a yard.”
Mel’s eyes softened. “Well, if you want to get her a dog, you’re in the right place. Come on, let’s show you around. It won’t take long. It’s tiny.”
On the inside, it seemed even smaller than from the outside. There were just a few rooms, with bowls of water and food, and many toys on the floor. "There are no cages?" I asked, watching the dogs move around freely.
“No, that's a bit of an antiquated concept as well as a bit cruel, to be honest. It's worked out so far. There are no fights.”
She bent down to pick up the bowls on the floor and filled them with water and food.
Where did she find the motivation to do all this in her spare time? She fascinated me. I liked that she didn't mind getting her hands dirty. Her dress was smeared with mud from outside. She even had a bit of dirt on her face, but she still looked fucking gorgeous.
"I'm surprised you're so comfortable getting your hands dirty," I teased her.
She looked over her shoulder as she bent down to tend to the rest of the bowls.
“I can say the same thing about you, Mr. Suit. I won't lie, I thought you would rant when this little guy got his dirty paws all over you.”
I chuckled. “As I said, I grew up in a small town. We had a yard with animals. I'm used to it. Honestly, I'm more comfortable out of a suit than wearing one.”
“So, then, why do you wear it?”
“It's good for business. As a software programmer, I'm used to casual clothing, but there's a shift in a room's dynamics when I enter it wearing a suit. I can't explain it, but it seems to make an impression.”
“Oh, please. You're impressive anyway.”
“Am I? Good to know.”
She sighed, shaking her head. “What is it about you that makes me say things like this? I can’t even blame it on the wine this time.”
I threw my head back, laughing so damn hard that I startled the dog. “You’re something else, Mel.”
“It’s all because of you. And somehow, seeing you holding this little guy isn’t helping.”
We went from the first room to the second, where she again filled containers with water and food.
The third room was bigger than the first two.
It also had a small desk in one corner with two chairs next to a shelf full of documents.
The little guy was getting restless. I put him on the floor, and he went straight to one of the food containers, eating his fill.
Mel lowered herself on her knees and patted his head.
“Hey, little guy, that's all the food for you. You'll explode if you eat more.”
He ignored her and kept eating away before moving to the bowl with water.
Afterward, he made a beeline straight to me.
I lowered myself on my haunches, patting his head.
He picked up some weird squeaky toy and brought it to me.
I had no clue what he wanted me to do with it, but it was fun to discover.
I squeaked it twice, which seemed to scare him.
I tossed the toy away, patting his head again.
He lay down on one side, clearly wanting his belly patted.
“You know, you're much more relaxed with him around,” Mel said.
I glanced up and found her looking at me.
“How do you know it's not your influence?” I asked.
Her lips quirked up in a half smile. “I was with you at the gym too, and that didn't help you relax.”
“This is different.”
“How?”
I stepped closer, tilting toward her. “It’s just you and me.”
She blushed, looking between us. “And the little guy.”
“I want him for Isabelle.”
Her eyes lit up. “Seriously? This is great.”
“Yes. But she doesn’t move for a few weeks, so I’ll pick him up then.”
“Okay. I’ll mark it in our system that he’s already adopted so someone else doesn’t take him home by accident.”
The dog rolled over on his belly, putting his head on his paws and looking at me with wide eyes.
"I think the little guy doesn't want to say goodbye," Mel said.
“He'll have to.”
“Are you sure about that? You could take him tonight and keep him until Isabelle moves.”
“My lifestyle isn't compatible with animals. I spend almost no time at home.”
“That's what dog walkers are for, and dog sitters. A lot of pet owners work full-time, and they make it work.”
“I really can't have a puppy in the apartment.” As if guessing we were talking about him, he started wailing, making a loud, pathetic sound. "Oh, for Christ's sake, what's he doing?"
“I think he's hoping he'll go home with you. When he realizes he won't, he'll be a bit heartbroken.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you trying to emotionally blackmail me?”
She grinned. “Is it working? I've been told I have a special talent.”
“No kidding.” I wasn't heartless. I just really didn't have time in my life for a pet. So why was I already calculating how I could coordinate everything with a dog sitter? I looked from the dog back at Mel, who was still grinning.
“You want to take him with you, don't you? Oh my God, you’re full of surprises.”
“Yes, I’m taking him now,” I said, surprising the hell out of myself. "What's the protocol?"
“I have some papers for you to sign. It might be a good idea to enroll him in dog school. I’ll give you some food so he has everything he needs for a couple days, but you should go to a pet shop and buy supplies.”
"Like what?" I asked.
“I'll give you a list.” She pointed at a small table, and we walked over there. The puppy was trailing us. She picked up a file from the shelf and made crosses with a red pen where there was a blank space. “Fill in name, address, and sign here, and I'll see about that list.”
While I filled the blanks, she took another sheet of paper from the shelf, handing it to me.
“Okay, so here is the list,” she said.
I stood up, pocketing the sheet of paper. Mel took a small plastic crate from the shelf, putting the dog inside. She also put a bag of dog food on the table.
“You’re all set,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m so happy you’re taking him.”
“Isabelle will be happy too. I know she’s wanted a dog ever since she left home. Do you need to do anything else here?”
“No, I’m done. I’ll lock up, and we can go.”
“I’ll carry the dog and the supplies to the car and wait for you there.”
“Perfect.”
I carried the crate in one hand and the food in the other. On my way out of the house, I heard her voice echo.
“Hey, Charlotte, we have a new adoption! He’s going to have an amazing home.”
Damn, this woman was too sweet and too good for me. But that didn’t stop me from wanting her.
She came out of the house soon after I secured the carrier on the back seat.
She’d pulled her hair back up in a ponytail as she had it at the gym.
Fucking hell, her neck was going to be my downfall.
I wanted to taste her there—everywhere. The dress was tight enough to show off her curves, and even though she had more skin on display at the gym, she was far more tempting now.
I couldn’t stop imagining my hands roaming her body, peeling off her dress.
I snapped my gaze up to her. She cocked a brow. I opened the car door for her, but she didn’t move.
“Wait, you’re driving?” she asked.
“Yeah. Jeffrey only drives me during the day. Otherwise, I’d waste too much time in between meetings with parking.”
“I can take the subway,” she said, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.
“Why? Are you afraid of being alone with me?” I teased as she came over to the car.
“Nope, I’m afraid of myself,” she said with sass, climbing in the passenger seat. “But I didn’t have any wine, so I’m hoping for the best.”
“I’m hoping for the opposite,” I said before closing the door, enjoying the way her mouth formed a perfect, delicious O.
I went over to the driver side and, once I was inside, asked, “What’s your address?”
“Oh, drop me off at the train station. I’m going to see my dad.”
“I can drive you there.”
“No, it’s outside the city. Trust me, you don’t want to brace the traffic at this time of day. The train is faster.”
I nodded. “Okay, the train station it is.”
“Thank you.”
“You said your dad is housebound,” I said as I drove away. “Does he have a caregiver, or is it just him and your mom?”
She smiled sadly. “My mom left when I was a year old. It’s always been just my dad and me.”
Fucking hell! She seemed to shrink into herself as she spoke. I couldn’t even imagine it since I’d grown up with three siblings and parents who were devoted to each other. My protective instincts were on high alert again.
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged, playing with a strand of hair. “It is what it is. Dad is awesome. The best parent I could wish for. We lived in Harrisburg. I came here to study at NYU, and he moved to New York when I was in my second year.”
“What did you study?”
“I majored in sports management, but I didn’t find a job.
I worked as a receptionist in a dental office for a few years, but after Dad got sick, I needed something with a more flexible schedule.
I’ve always been a fitness enthusiast. One thing led to another, and honestly, I love this way more than dental stuff.
The pay is great, and I don’t work fixed hours.
I can check on my dad often. I’m happy he’s nearby, especially with his condition. ”
“Why is he housebound?”
“He had a stroke a few years ago. He recovered well, but he still can’t move his right leg. He does get out of the house, but not as much as before. His life’s changed a lot, but he’s handling it well. I’m trying to get him this new medicine, but it’s so hard to find.”
She mentioned the name, and I committed it to memory.
“Anyway, tonight I’m doing all his shopping and seeing if he needs anything else. I try to stop by a few times a week.”
“You’re amazing. You know that?”
She chuckled, but I realized it was humorless.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. Not everyone sees things as you do,” she muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“My ex dumped me because he figured I wasn’t giving him enough attention, that I was spending too much time with Dad, and too much of my paycheck went to his medical needs.”
I saw red. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I said, “Then it’s a good thing he’s an ex.”
She turned to look at me, a smile inching on her face. “That’s right. Oh, we’re here already.” The smile turned into a grin as I pulled the car right in front of the train station’s entrance.
“Hey, don’t get out on my behalf,” she said as I reached for the handle. “You can’t park here.”
“I know.”
“Thanks for dropping me off. And I didn’t say even one inappropriate thing. I’m so proud of myself.”
She turned to look in the back, and I did the same. The dog must have fallen asleep a while ago because he’d been silent.
Getting out of the car, I went over to open the door for her. I was close enough that when she got out, I could smell her perfume, a mix of flowers and spices. I couldn’t name a single one of them, but the result was delicious.
“Mel?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you going to have a glass of wine tonight?”
“Probably. Why?”
“Keep your phone nearby.”
“Why would I do that? It proved to be a dangerous combo last time. You have an interesting effect on me.”
“Do I? You convinced me to take home a dog. I haven’t talked you into anything outrageous. Yet.”
“I like that ‘yet.’ So confident.”
“Text me when you get home,” I said.
She threw her head back, laughing hard as she turned around, heading to the station. But I didn’t miss her blush.