Chapter 28
twenty-eight
. . .
Gracie
“I don’t know why you’re insisting on doing this when you only have two days left until you leave,” he groaned when we pulled up at the pound and got out of the truck.
“Because I don’t want you to be lonely.” It was the truth. He was so busy supporting me that he didn’t stop to think about himself and how he would feel after I left. He’d just acted all stoic and brave, after pouring his heart out to me and telling me to go chase my dreams.
This was the kind of love story that you read about in a book, or watched on the big screen.
Who’d have thought my epic love story would be with the boy I’d known my whole life?
The man I felt safest with.
The man I was walking away from in two days.
“Jeege, I’ve lived alone for a long time. And the guys will be so far up my ass after you leave that you won’t have to worry.”
“Listen,” I said as I came to a stop before opening the door.
The brick building had large windows with paw print decals on them with a worn sign hanging above.
“I came here earlier this morning while you were working, and I had no intention of finding a dog. I just felt this need to come look. And what happened, you ask?”
“I didn’t ask.”
“Well, I’m going to tell you anyway,” I chuckled. “I met the dog you’re supposed to have. He even kind of looks like you.”
“He’s undeniably handsome?”
“Well, he has your coloring. The hair. The eyes. The muscular stature.”
“You have the same coloring as I do,” he said. “Does he look like you?”
“Oh gosh, I hope not.” I laughed as I tugged the door open. “Hey, Jeanette. Tell me you didn’t let anyone take Meatball home.”
“Meatball?” he said, gaping at me, and I just laughed.
“Trust me. It suits him.”
Jeanette chuckled. “Oh, sweetie, no one has been in here today aside from you. He’s exactly where he was when you came by this morning.”
“See. It’s meant to be,” I told Cutler with a look.
“Interesting name,” he said as we followed Jeanette to the back.
“You’re going to love him. He’s gentle and sweet, like a meatball.”
“He really is the sweetest,” Jeanette said as she pulled out her keys. “He’s a chocolate English bulldog, and he’s four years old, so he’s fully potty trained, and he’s just a great dog.”
“If he’s so great, why is he here?” Cutler grumped, and I knew he wasn’t thrilled about this, but I had to do something. I hated the idea of him being lonely after I left.
“We don’t know,” the older woman said as she pulled open the door.
“He wasn’t chipped, and someone found him sitting outside the Cozy Griddle a few days ago.
I searched all the usual places, and no one reported him missing.
Sometimes tourists just decide to leave their pets after they visit.
I just can’t imagine leaving a family member behind like that. ”
I glanced over at Cutler and then back at Meatball, who moved at a snail’s pace and came up to me and then immediately walked over to Cutler, where he dropped to sit on his feet.
Cutler bent down and scratched the back of his head. “Hey, buddy. Did someone leave you behind?”
Meatball dropped all the way down before rolling on his back, and Cutler laughed. Jeanette said she’d give us some time alone with him and excused herself.
I dropped down to sit on the floor as well, and Meatball pawed at Cutler to keep rubbing his belly.
“He’s pretty fucking cute,” he said.
“I told you. Can you see the resemblance?” I asked, which made him laugh again.
“Yeah, Jeege. I can see it. He’s got a big head and a wide chest. I’ll take it as a compliment.” He dropped to sit beside me. “And what about you? Are you going to get a dog?”
“Well, I’ll be living in a small studio apartment in Manhattan, so that’s a hard no. And I’ll be working long hours in the beginning. You can take Meatball to work with you, and he can go to Four Clovers with you. It’ll be great.”
“You know I’ve lived alone for a long time, right?” he asked as Meatball fully climbed onto his lap.
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “I just don’t like the idea of you being alone.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Well then, do it for me.” I shrugged. “If you have this big guy in your bed, I don’t think there will be room for anyone else.”
I kept my voice light, but I think he saw through me. I wasn’t just nervous about leaving; I was heartsick over it.
Heartsick because I’d finally found what I’d been looking for my whole life, and now I was just going to walk away from it?
Why was life so damn complicated?
First, I left a great job and a great apartment, for the wrong man.
And now I was leaving the right man, for a job and an apartment that wouldn’t mean anything to me if I wasn’t with him.
“Hey. Look at me.” His voice was commanding and firm.
I looked up. “I’m looking at you, Bear.”
“Stop worrying. We’ll talk every day, and we’ll see how it goes, all right?” His gaze locked with mine.
I nodded. “Yeah. I guess it’s time for a new plan, since the original plan really went to shit.”
He laughed, and Meatball made a weird howling sound as if he were trying to mimic Cutler. “The plan is that we don’t have a plan. We just roll with it, Jeege. It’ll be okay.”
“Okay. Sometimes no plan is a plan.” I shrugged.
He kissed the top of my head. “So do we know what Meatball needs to have at the house?”
“Does this mean you’re taking him home?”
“I mean, he’s a slobbery fucker, and there’s a very foul smell coming from him, so I’m guessing he’s also gassy.”
“Like father, like son,” I said, and he cackled before pushing to his feet.
He offered me a hand and pulled me up. “I’m doing this for you.”
Jeanette came around the corner. “What do we think?”
“We think whoever left him behind was an asshole,” Cutler said. “We’ll take him.”
“Meatball is a lucky boy, I can tell.” She walked us to the front and set us up with all sorts of stuff: a crate, dog treats, a week’s worth of dog food, and a booklet about being a new pet owner.
We piled into Cutler’s truck, and Meatball sat between us, as if he’d done it a hundred times before. Cutler turned on the radio, and we sang along with Benson Boone all the way home.
And I’d never been happier than right here in this moment. Completely content.
When we got home, we set up the crate and took Meatball out in his new yard.
“Do you think I can take him out on the boat?” Cutler asked.
“I don’t know, do all dogs know how to swim?”
“These are probably things we should have found out before adopting a dog.” He looked at me as my phone vibrated in my back pocket again.
I pulled it out and glanced down to see four missed calls from Johnny. “Johnny’s called a bunch of times. Let me try him back real quick.”
He nodded as he sat in an Adirondack chair, watching Meatball wander around the yard. I stepped inside and dialed Johnny’s number.
“Finally,” he said, his voice sounding even more enthusiastic than usual. “I’ve called you multiple times.”
“I’m so sorry. Cutler just got a dog, so we were distracted.”
“Damn. A sexy man with a dog is even more attractive,” he said, his voice laced with humor. “I digress. I have news.”
“Okay. What is it?”
“Well, you know our firm is very well known, and has been written up in many design magazines over the years.”
“Yes. It’s the best. That’s why I want to work there,” I said, chuckling.
“Let’s just say our website gets a lot of exposure.” He paused, and I could tell he was drinking something. “I just received a call from Design & Décor magazine. You know, only the top design magazine out there.”
“Yes. I’m a subscriber. It’s my favorite.”
“Well, buckle up, darling. They want to feature you because they fell in love with the photos of the Chadwick home. They’ll fly out to New York and interview you, and if the Chadwicks are okay with it, they’d like to schedule a shoot at their home.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” I gasped. “Design & Décor wants to interview me?”
He was laughing hysterically now, and Johnny had one of those laughs that made you laugh when he laughed.
“Darling. You’re a star. I just emailed you the information to send to the Chadwicks to ask if they’d be okay with having their home featured in the most popular interior design magazine on the planet.
” He chuckled. “I’m sure it’s a yes, especially since Emilia Chadwick has been featured in this magazine before.
The fact that she gave you creative control over their family home also speaks volumes.
And we’ll go shopping for you when you get here, and pick out something fabulous for you to wear to your interview. ”
“Okay. Yes. Oh my gosh. I need to go tell Cutler. Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”
“You will. I’ll be waiting for you with bells on when you get to the airport.”
We ended the call and I ran out the door into the backyard, surprised when I didn’t see him there or Meatball in the grass where I’d left them.
“Bear?” I shouted as the sun was just starting to go down.
“I’m in the lake. And no, Meatball does not know how to swim. He thought he did, when he jumped in with no warning, and he just sank.” Laughter came from the edge of the yard down by the water. Meatball was lying on the wood dock soaking wet, not a care in the world.
I ran to the end of the dock and gaped down at Cutler. “Design & Décor magazine wants to feature me for the photos they saw of your family home.”
“You’re a fucking rock star, baby,” he howled, and once again, Meatball let out a howl of his own. “That’s my girl.”
I was laughing as I moved closer and realized he was in his clothes. “Why are you in the water fully clothed?”
“Because that dog you convinced me to get decided to jump in, and he literally made no effort to fight for his own survival. He actually glanced over at me as I ran toward the water, and he just surrendered and started to sink. So I had to fucking jump in and save his lazy ass.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and shook my head. “Look at you, Bear. Jumping in the water and saving Meatball.”
“Well, come on, girl. Get your ass in here. We’ve got to celebrate. You’re going to be in a magazine.”
I dropped my phone and kicked my boots off on the dock next to Meatball, and I didn’t even think twice before jumping in the water with my clothes on. I didn’t care that it was cold enough to be wearing two layers. I wanted to be in the water with him.
The immediate shock of the cold water had my body tensing and my skin prickling when I broke through the surface.
Cutler was right there to catch me as I grabbed onto his shoulders, gasping a few times.
“I’m proud of you,” he said.
“Do you think your family will be okay with having their home featured?” I asked.
“Are you kidding? They’ll be fucking thrilled.” He pulled me closer, and my legs came around his waist. “They’re all going to be so proud of you.”
“They’re sending someone to New York to interview me next week.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“I never had a doubt. Keep chasing those dreams, baby, and I’ll be cheering you on the whole way.” He tugged me down and kissed me.
And we sat in the water as the sky darkened and the stars sparkled overhead, with Meatball lying there watching us make out like teenagers. We laughed and talked and kissed some more.
It was interesting to me that I’d known Cutler most of my life, yet we never ran out of things to talk about. There was just a comfort and closeness that made it so easy to talk with him about anything.
And that’s exactly what we did.
I wished I could freeze time right here.
Because I never wanted this moment to end.
Blue Sky Bay felt like home, because the truth was…
Cutler Heart was my home.