Page 140 of Knight
“Attached? Nah. He healed my soul and reminded me of all the good things in the world, but I’m not attached.”
I scooped up Waffles, only wincing a little as my new ink—only partially done and covered in cellophane—twinged. Luckily, I’d recently been in a brutal fight and Aiden would assume I was flinching from all my other aches and pains.
I didn’t want him to see the tattoo until it was finished. I wanted to show him at the right time, so he’d see how much he’d come to mean to me.
Not while blinking back tears over a silly dog.
“Aw, you big softie,” Aiden said, leaning in over Waffle’s wiggly body to peck a kiss to my lips. “Come with us. We can pick up some takeout on the way home.”
“You don’t want my chili mac?” I asked, pretending to be offended.
He laughed. “I could use a break from all the heartburn. I’m a doctor. Please listen when I say that how you eat is not right.” He shuddered.
I lowered my cheek to nuzzle at Waffles. “Don’t listen to him, Waffles. I make the best food. I make it taste sooo good.”
“What taste?” Aiden mumbled. “You’ve fried all your tastebuds off.”
“Yeah, love you too, Doc.”
That got a smile from him. “Fine. We’ll get takeout from Zacos. I’m sure you can add enough hot sauce to enjoy your toxic waste.”
I grinned. “Aw, you can just say you love me too, you know.”
He laughed as he bagged up Waffles’ bowls. When Waffles saw Aiden pick up the leash, he squirmed right out of my arms and hit the floor with an excited yip.
“Yes, we’re going out,” Aiden said. “Back to see your daddy.”
I was sad to see Waffles go. I hadn’t been exaggerating. Aiden had comforted me with cuddles and movie marathons—Pirates of the Caribbeanwas good mindless action with a side of a dishy Johnny Depp to heal what ailed me—but when Aiden was busy doing all those normal things like showering and cooking and laundry, Waffles had been a reassuring warmth against my side. He’d looked at me with his big brown doggie eyes and licked my hand, reassuring me that I was still his number one guy.
Except I wasn’t.
That would beLarry. No wonder the old guy wanted him back. Waffles was the bestest boy.
I followed Aiden to the car. “Hear me out. Maybe…Waffles just ran off, and we say, we’re so sad, Larry, but we brought you this new puppy from the animal shelter to keep you company.”
Aiden laughed. “Will! No dognapping.”
“Is it dognapping if Waffles wants to stay? We could let him choose.”
Aiden opened the back door and urged Waffles inside, securing him safely, ignoring my words as if my idea wasn’t reasonable. With a huff, I climbed into the passenger seat.
Aiden got in and started the car. I buckled up, and he reversed out of the driveway and started toward the highway.
“I know you really like Waffles,” he said. “Larry’s really grateful we took such good care of him.”
I grunted. Yes, I was sulking.
“Maybe instead of Larry getting a puppy, we should get you one,” Aiden said tentatively.
I glanced over. “He wouldn’t be Waffles.”
“I know, but Waffles has a home. I’m sure Axel’s got some really great dogs, too. You could try fostering one first.”
“We.”
“What?”
I squeezed his hand. “Wecould foster one. I wouldn’t want to do it without you.”
