Page 7 of Broken
“Water?” her brother asked. “Wine?”
Jacqueline pulled a glass from the cupboard. “Water’s good. You guys are so sweet, but you don’t have to wait on me. I’m not company.”
The puppies had been frolicking in the kitchen, but when Cleo lay on her side, all six of them descended on her.
“Sorry to bail, but I’ve got to get up at five.” Keith gave his wife a kiss. “Honey, you’ve got a super-busy day tomorrow. Try not to stay up too late.”
She offered him a sweet smile. “Can you let the babies out before you head up, please?”
On a nod, he redirected his attention to the mound of dogs on the kitchen floor. “Who wants to go out?”
Cleo rose, the puppies scurried to their feet, and everyone headed toward the door leading to their small backyard. Minutes later, the dogs rushed back inside. Keith grabbed Jacqueline’s suitcase, climbed over the gate in the kitchen, and headed upstairs.
As Naomi poured herself a half glass of wine, she sat beside Jacqueline at the island. “We put you in the guest room.”
“Thank you for letting me crash here.”
“Of course,” Naomi replied. “I’ve missed you a lot.”
“Me too.” Jacqueline slid a forkful of lasagna into her mouth. “Mmmmm, so good.”
As the two women continued chatting away, Jacqueline’s phone buzzed, but she didn’t check it. After she finished eating, she helped Naomi bring the puppies into the playroom for the night.
A tired Cleo plopped down, along with four of the puppies, but two started rough-housing in the middle of the room.
“I’m gonna head up,” Naomi said. “By the way, I’m working from home tomorrow, if you need my car.”
“That would be great,” Jacqueline replied. “I was planning on renting one or taking an Uber around.”
“You can use it over the weekend too. Keith and I use his.”
“Thank you…for everything.”
Naomi’s face split into a smile. “It’s good to have you home.”
After Naomi shut the door, Jacqueline watched while Loki roughhoused with a sibling. Seconds later, Naomi returned, Jacqueline’s cell phone in hand. “I hope that text is something good.”
“What text?” Jacqueline asked as she took her phone.
“You eyed your phone like a zillion times. It’s gotta be a guy.” With a smirk, Naomi closed the door behind her.
A message waited in the Asylum app.
She re-read the message she sent. “Hey Mac, I’m thinking about swinging by the club Friday night. Any chance I’ll see you?”
“Probably not,” Mac replied.
Damn.
It had been eight months since she’d seen him. She wasn’t surprised a guy—no, check that—amanlike Mac was no longer available.
Loki wandered over and climbed into her lap. She ran her fingers over his fluffy coat. When he peered up at her, her heart melted.
“You evil, little devil,” Jacqueline said with a smile. “You just cast a spell on me and I’m in love. Wow, that was easy.”
Loki laid his head on her thigh, let out a breath, and closed his eyes.
“Oh, boy,” she whispered, as she stroked his puppy fur. “I’m a goner.”
