Chapter 1
EVIE
“Now, listen. Kai’s a total softie, but he doesn’t love animals the way I do, so you have to behave, alright? No barking, no chewing his shoes, or peeing on the carpet. We need him to like you so he lets you stay.”
Great. I’m trying to negotiate with a homeless puppy.
Which is kind of ironic, seeing as the whole reason I’m currently standing outside my older brother’s apartment building with a duffle bag over one shoulder is because I, too, am about to be homeless.
Thanks, campus housing staff, for giving me less than a week to get out of my university apartment after finishing my graduate degree in special education. Guess they don’t realize the housing situation in Vancouver is absolutely insane.
As much as I don’t want to admit to it, I’m grateful Kai basically insisted I crash on his couch until I can find a job with a local school district.
His generosity makes it possible for me to focus on my job search without any distractions, like finding a place or coming up with rent money working a summer job.
Of course, that was before this morning, when I came across this dirty, sad bundle of fur on the side of the road.
Just when I thought I had a solid plan in place for finding my footing post grad school, an adorable set of puppy dog eyes goes and throws it off track.
I can’t explain it, the instant connection I felt.
But something in me insisted I save her, and even more, keep her.
I know I was meant to be the one to find her.
The puppy tilts her head to the side and gives a little yip, and I shake my own head to clear it.
“You’re lucky I found you, girl. This might be the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but we’re in it together now. You and me, against the world.” I look up at Kai’s building. “As long as big brother doesn’t slam the door in your cute face.”
I use the fob Kai gave me to buzz myself inside and move to the elevators. When the doors slide open, the puppy freezes with a little whine.
“Come on girl, it’s okay. You’re safe.” I keep my voice soft, but it’s clear she’s not moving.
“Fine, but don’t get used to this. You’re not going to be a small puppy for long.
” I heft her up in my arms, earning a very wet kiss to my cheek, and step into the elevator.
It takes some shifting to free one hand to push the button for Kai’s floor, because this puppy already isn’t small.
The shelter estimated she was only a few months old, but she has massive paws and a big block-shaped head that makes me think she’s going to be huge.
I try to set her down, and she just wriggles and whines some more.
“Oh my God, you big baby.” I huff, but I can’t hold back my smile.
I love dogs. Always wanted one growing up, but my asthma was a lot worse back then than it is now, so my parents refused, saying the doctors advised no pets with fur.
The elevator doors open on Kai’s floor and I step out.
Finally, the puppy allows me to put her down.
It takes some coaxing to get her to walk down the short hall to his apartment, but we make it, and I turn the handle to push the door open, still looking down at her as she snuffles the ground behind me.
“What the hell is that?”
My head shoots up at Kai’s shocked voice, and I stumble over the puppy who has somehow managed to move in front of me. I’m about to meet the ground with my face when strong arms are grabbing me, saving me from crashing.
“Easy there, darlin’.”
Oh crap.
That voice. That smooth, low southern voice.
I know if I look, I’ll see the short brown hair, warm eyes that I’ve gotten lost in more than once over the last six years, and deep dimples that voice belongs to.
It takes a lot of self-control not to let myself melt into his arms the way I’ve always wanted to, but my pride wins out, giving me the strength to extricate myself from Rhett Darlington’s hold.
But there are limits to my self-control.
Especially when it comes to the man I’ve had a crush on since my embarrassing teenage years.
And acknowledging his presence would push me past those limits right now, even if part of me hates being rude and not acknowledging his role in preventing me from hitting the ground.
Instead, I keep my gaze firmly on my brother who’s standing to the side, his arms crossed as he tries to ignore the puppy dancing at his feet.
“It’s a puppy, Kai, I know you’re just an athlete, but don’t play the dumb jock around me.”
His dark gaze, so similar to mine, narrows into a glare that is the perfect combination of sibling love and sibling annoyance, as I hear a muffled sound of amusement come from next to me.
But I continue to ignore Rhett. Had I known he would be here, I would’ve…
Well, I probably would have tried to find a reason not to come.
“Why is there a puppy in my apartment, Gigi?”
“Don’t call me that,” I say, my automatic response every time he uses that awful nickname. Even if it does exist solely because I couldn’t pronounce my own name as a toddler.
Then, taking a step farther into the apartment, I bend down to unclip the leash from the puppy’s collar. It’s just as frayed and old as the leash, but the best the shelter could offer. I was grateful they had even that since my alternative was carrying her everywhere.
She takes off toward Kai, and almost immediately trips over her own feet. Kai tries — and fails — to muffle a snort of laughter. “Pair of klutzes, both of you.” He softens the teasing by pulling me in for a hug. “But seriously. Why do you have a puppy?”
I pull back from his hug, watching the puppy attack a pair of shoes.
Until Rhett goes to gently remove them from her, and I swing my gaze elsewhere.
“I found her this morning when I was out for a walk. I tried taking her to the shelter, but they were going to put her down. I couldn’t let that happen.
She’s so sweet, and I’ll do everything. You won’t even know she’s here, I promise.
” Turning to look up at Kai, I make a pleading gesture with my hands.
I hate feeling like I’m begging him for this when he’s already done so much for me.
Things I can never repay him for, like helping with tuition, and now, pushing me to stop being stubborn and accept his offer of a place to stay.
I couldn’t argue that it made sense to crash on his couch instead of potentially having to move again when I find a job.
I watch his face soften as he crouches down to pet the dog. It’s a promising sign from the guy who doesn’t love dogs, made even more so when she immediately flops over onto her back. Then I hear him swear under his breath.
“Evie, I want to say yes, but she can’t stay here.”
I stoop down beside him, rubbing the puppy’s belly. “Why not? I promise she won’t get in the way.” I don’t ask my brother for much, hardly anything. But this…this I need from him.
“Because my building doesn’t allow dogs.” He looks over at me, regret on his face. “I’m sorry.”
That’s a complication I didn’t expect. I slump down to sit on the floor, trying not to let myself get emotional over a puppy I just met this morning. A puppy whose future is now very uncertain.
Kai pulls me in to his side, rubbing his hand up and down my arm. “Sorry, sis.”
Rhett, who’s been a silent observer up until now, crouches down beside us, his close proximity making my stomach twist. He stretches out his hand for the puppy to sniff with a gentle smile.
And my body rebels against my better sense as I look out of the corner of my eye at him.
Dang it, so much for hoping he had somehow become less attractive in the time since I last saw him.
Would it kill the guy to grow a pervy mustache or have a pimple?
But no, he’s just as good looking as ever. It’s a battle not to be too obvious as I drink in his tall, muscular body, the dusting of hair over his corded forearms, and the little dimple in his chin.
I suck in a sharp breath, my mouth goes dry, and my heart speeds up.
All because he smells so darn good. It’s unfair, really.
That a man should be that handsome, that charming, and smell so delicious.
Like a warm day at the lake in springtime.
All fresh, and woodsy, and just…God. No.
Snap out of this, Evangeline Yamaki. You’re smarter than this.
Rhett Darlington is not an option. Not now, not ever.
Besides, I promised myself I’d stick to my priorities — find a job, find a place to live. No distractions, especially not six-foot-something baseball players.
“Listen. Why don’t we call around to some other shelters? Someone’s gotta have room for her, or a foster or something.”
I’m already shaking my head before Kai finishes talking. “We did that when I took her to the first one. They called three others; every single one is full.”
“Damn.” Kai runs his hand through his hair, looking over at Rhett. “Got any ideas?”
Rhett makes a noise, like he’s thinking, as he continues to pet the dog. “Friends? Anyone from your classes that might want a dog?” He’s looking straight at me, but I can’t make myself meet his stare. Can he tell my heart is still racing?
“I guess I could ask Lina,” I say, mentioning one of my two closest friends. She’s already got two kids and a bird, but maybe she wouldn’t mind a temporary puppy? Until I remember something. “Wait, no, her son is terrified of dogs.”
“Carlee?” Kai names my other friend and roommate throughout university.
“Nope, she’s moving into a tiny studio apartment, and she’s gone all day.
” I think through my former classmates, but no one stands out as a good option.
Still, if it means this sweet girl has a home until I do, then I have to try.
“I guess if I can’t think of someone, I’ll have to take her back to the shelter. ”