“Hold on,” she stops me.“I talked to Linc earlier, he wants his own bed tonight, and said he’d come home after practice.I can’t stay.”
I try not to let my disappointment show.I’d hoped to introduce her to my new roommate, who has been confined to the apartment upstairs for now.
“But I was kinda hoping you’d come over to my place, I’m just gonna order pizza tonight.”
I guess I could grab a quick shower and head over, but I don’t want to leave my new girl alone tonight.Unless, of course, I bring her.Guess there’s no better time than the present to find out if I made a colossal mistake in taking her on.
“Is it okay if I bring a guest?”
“This is Mouse.”
I wish I had a camera to capture the expression on Tessa’s face when she opens the door.Granted, the so-calledDalmatianBuck pawned off on me has little in common with the breed, other than the fact she’s white with black spots.Unless there is a sumo version of Dalmatians I don’t know about.
Mouse is not dainty or lean or pretty.She looks more like a bulldog cross, with her broad head and chest, but taller on her legs, and her face looks like it’s been through a meat grinder.According to Buck, the result of a poorly repaired harelip.
My first reaction had been recoil, but that lasted only two seconds.
Because Mouse has a long tail, which clumsily sways from side to side anytime I look at her, a crooked smile she shares liberally, and a loving nature that exudes from every single one of her pores, despite those shiny, soulful brown eyes that hold a lifetime of pain.
Buck was right, even though I hate to admit it.I have had Mouse for less than twenty-four hours, and it’s like she’s always been in my life.
It takes Tessa less than two seconds to drop down on her haunches and take Mouse’s head between her hands.
“Well, hello, Mouse.Aren’t you an absolute sweetheart?”
Of course the dog’s tail starts wagging furiously, alternately smacking the doorpost and my leg as she tries to reach Tessa’s face with her tongue.
“Dog.Cool,” Linc comments as he comes down the stairs.
Mouse doesn’t hesitate and, almost knocking Tessa on her ass as she pushes past her, makes a beeline for the kid.
I help a grinning Tessa to her feet.
“I hate to break it to you,” she says in a stage whisper, “but that’s not a Dalmatian.”
I grunt in response and, while the dog is keeping her son occupied, take the opportunity to drop a hard kiss on her lips.Then I close the front door and follow her into the house.
“When’s dinner?”Linc asks, as Tessa hands me a beer.
“Pizza should be here any?—”
She doesn’t even get the chance to finish her sentence when the doorbell rings.
“I’ve got it,” I announce, as I set down my bottle and head for the door.
I recognize the kid at the door toting three boxes as one of the Silvari boys.
“It’s already paid!”Tessa calls from behind me when I pull out my wallet.
I take the boxes from the kid and hand him a twenty, which he pockets with a grin before loping down the steps as I shut the door.
“You ordered a lot of pizza,” I note, setting the boxes down on the counter.
“I always do,” she shares, pulling plates down from the cupboard.“The boys and I have different tastes, and we usually have leftovers for lunch the next day.”
I’ve been known to have cold, leftover pizza for breakfast myself.
Mouse is sprawled out on the rug in the living room, making herself at home like she belongs here, while we hang out in the kitchen eating a very casual dinner.
