I decide to call the dog Milo.
Yeah, Mila and Milo. We’re quite the pair.
The last several days have been a whirlwind, from getting Milo settled, all the normal life stuff that happens when you own your own business, to dealing with my dear old brother being a total idiot and almost screwing things up with Summer. The last required me to step in and help him think of a way to fix everything. All of our friends pitched in to help Ethan set up an amazing surprise for Summer down at the resort she now owns, which I don’t regret in the least, even if it did mean longer days than I normally have.
I haven’t seen the bran muffin man because I’ve been so busy in the kitchen playing catch up, but Sebastian assured me he’s been in every morning. I’m pretty certain my employee has a bit of a crush on the man, and I don’t blame him. But Bast is happily dating someone, and much to my embarrassment, he noticed my ogling the other day. Which is why he’s loving being able to rub it in my face that I’ve missed the hot man for four days in a row.
Tonight is my weekly dinner with Ethan, and now Summer joins us, too. I’m taking Milo with me, of course, which I’m sure my brother will just love.
Sure enough, the frown he gives me when I walk through his front door makes the obnoxious little sister in me do a happy dance.
“Seriously, Mills? You brought the dog?”
“His name is Milo. And yes, I did, he wants to meet Auntie Summer.”
My brother just rolls his eyes, but I notice how his hand goes to pet Milo’s head.
“Oh my God, he’s huge.” Summer stops where she is, walking out of the kitchen with two glasses of wine in her hands.
“Is one of those for me? Gimme, gimme,” I gesture to one of the glasses, and she hesitantly walks over and hands it to me.
“Mila. That thing is massive.”
“That thing,” I say primly, “is your dog nephew, Milo. He’s a gentle giant, I promise, and the only nephew you’re gonna get.”
We go to the back deck, drinks in hand. I let Milo off his leash and he lumbers down to the grass, his limp making me frown, before flopping onto his back and rolling around. I watch affectionately, loving how relaxed and happy he seems, despite his leg.
“You got a dog. And you named it Milo.”
I turn to my best friend who’s sitting beside me, watching Milo’s antic, with a smile on her face as well. I knew she would love him.
“Thanks for stating the obvious.”
Summer smacks lightly at my hand. “Don’t be a brat or I’ll start calling you Mills.”
I pretend to shudder, even though I’m pretty sure Summer knows I love the nickname my brother uses for me. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Her wicked smile tells me she might.
“Okay, ladies. Dinner is served.” Ethan walks out with a platter piled high with grilled chicken and sets it down on a table already filled with salad, grilled asparagus and fresh bread — from my bakery, of course.
“Looks great, big brother.” I grab a plate and start piling on the food. I’ve got a healthy appetite, and my brother is one hell of a cook.
At some point during dinner, Milo wanders over and lies down between my chair and Ethan’s. Of course, I notice him casually slide a piece of chicken down to my dog, but I don’t draw any attention to it. For all that he wants to give me a hard time about taking in Milo, Ethan’s an animal lover just like I am.
“At least this dog means you’ve got some protection at home,” my ridiculous brother says, making me roll my eyes.
“He’s a lover, not a fighter.”
Summer touches Ethan’s shoulder, and looks over at me. “What your overprotective brother means is, we’re glad you’re not alone.”
I take a deep breath. “Look, guys, I was alone for a long time before I got the dog. Nothing’s changed. Besides, it wasn’t that long ago that you two were alone as well.” I fix them both with a pointed stare. Summer has the decency to squirm; Ethan just stares right back.
“It’s different, Mills. You can’t tell me you don’t get lonely sometimes; I know how often you would show up here to watch TV.”
“Maybe I just wanted to hang out with my brother. Is that a crime now?”
Ethan leans back in his chair and puts his arm around Summer. “Of course not. I just want you happy, that’s all. And doing more than just work and sleep.”
