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Dex smiled, though he seemed a little nervous, like he wanted to get this right. “C’mon, fella.” He walked Bandit out toward the dog run, though the little devil growled at a few of his neighbors on the way.
“So cranky,” Dex said softly. “But y’know something, I like you just the way you are. You can be bad-tempered and act like you got out of your dog bed on the wrong side all you want. I won’t care. I’ll still think you’re a good dog, the best one there is.” All the way out to the dog run, Dex spoke in that soothing voice, telling Bandit it was okay to be emotional, it was okay to be different, because Dex loved him anyway.
Ashley’s heart squeezed with every gentle word.
“Should I let him off the leash?”
“Sure.”
Dex did, and Bandit ran to the other end of the small park area they had set up to exercise the dogs. There he stayed, sniffing around the bushes.
Sighing, Dex turned back to Ashley. “Tough crowd.”
“Don’t take it personally. He hears all your sweet talk and it’s just a matter of time before he’ll respond.”
He moved in closer, his hand brushing her hip. “I’ve had better luck with you, I think.”
Her heart rate picked up. “Oh, I’m much easier than Bandit.”
“I loved hanging with you yesterday.” He inclined his head and stole a quick kiss. “I loved eating soup and playing with Mittens and making you come.”
Her breath caught. “I loved it, too.”
“Would you like to do it again, sometime?”
She looked over his shoulder, checking to see if any of the volunteers were around. Gillian often came out for smoke breaks.
She swallowed. “I would.”
He opened his mouth to say something, then his eyes went wide.
“Ashley,” he whispered. “It’s happening.”
Yes, it is. It so is. And I’m completely on board with whatever this is.
“Tell me how to play it.”
Oh. She realized now what was going on. Bandit had returned, probably wondering why no one was paying him any heed, and was currently nudging Dex’s hand.
Dex looked down tentatively then back up at Ashley, his expression one of mild panic. “What should I do? Ignore him? Pet him? I don’t want to scare him off.”
Ashley lowered her voice and leaned in closer. “Just remain still and let him sniff you. If he starts to lick, you’ll know?—”
Dex’s jaw fell. “He’s licking my fingers! I really want to hug him but what if that’s too much?”
Oh God, Ashley’s heart exploded. Dex had so much love to give, and how adorable was his reaction to Bandit’s affection?
“Let him get used to you then hunker down to his level, slowly.”
“Okay. Okay.” He inhaled deeply, then after a moment, lowered himself to a squat while still letting Bandit stay close. Running a hand over Bandit’s head, he went eye to eye with him. “You’re such a good dog, Bandit. Don’t you know how much everyone loves you?”
Bandit did what Ashley wished she could have done: he licked Dex’s face.
Dex looked up at her, his joy plain as day. “Did you see that?”
“I did. Looks like you’ve made a breakthrough.”
In fact, both man and this man’s best friend might have.
