“There’s my two favourite people,” Sawyer says, seconds before draping an arm over my shoulder and ruffling Cooper’s hair.
“Sawyer! Look at this dog, isn’t he awesome?” Coop says, pointing at the beagle in front of us.
“He is, but beagles are escape artists and noisy. I’m not so sure your mom wants to deal with that while you’re at school.”
I mouth the wordsthank youto Sawyer as Cooper bounces on to the next dog. His arm falls away as we walk, and I mentally kick myself for how much I miss the feel of it.
“He finally wore you down, huh?”
I glance over at my kid, who’s looking at a yapping Chihuahua with a perplexed look on his face. “I haven’t committed to anything, but…”
Sawyer just chuckles knowingly.
Cooper makes his way over to us. “That one had crazy eyes. Hey, I’m hungry, can we get something to eat?”
Clapping his hands together, Sawyer makes a rumbling sound. “Mmm, do you know what's the perfect food to eat at a pet adoption festival, Coopzilla?”
Coop shakes his head.
“Hot dogs!” Sawyer starts to laugh, and after a second, Coop’s eyes widen. Then the two of them are giggling together like that’s the funniest thing they’ve ever heard. Eventually, their laughter settles down and two pairs of hopeful eyes are trained on me.
“Sure, let’s go find some food,” I reply. Coop cheers, then dashes off toward the food trucks we walked past earlier with Sawyer and I following behind at a more normal pace.
“You look good, angel. Good enough to eat.” Sawyer’s deep rumble is quiet as a whisper, but I hear it loud and clear.
Glancing down at myself, I chuckle. “So, you’re attracted to weekend-mom chic?” I tease, chancing a look over at him.
The intensity with which he’s looking back at me makes my steps falter.
“Guess I am.”
Thankfully, we reach Cooper’s side at that moment, saving me from melting any further. Under the heat of Sawyer’s…well…Sawyerness.
“Hey bud, did you decide what to eat? Still want a hot dog?”
Cooper looks somewhat shyly over at Sawyer. “I dunno if I can eat a hot dog when I’m here to adopt a dog.”
I make a sound without even meaning to and he quickly amends his words.
“Hopingto adopt a dog.”
I nod but also flash him a wink, because I’m fully aware that even if we don’t get a dog today, it’s inevitable we will soon.
“All good, little dude. I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge hot dog fan, unless I’m at a baseball game. Then it’s like the law that you have to eat a hot dog.” Sawyer’s easy laugh rings out over the crowd. I’ve never known someone so relaxed, so comfortable in their skin. It’s…well, it’s addicting.
“My aunt Willow works for a baseball team,” Cooper says. “This summer she promised to take me to a game.”
“Make sure you eat a hot dog for me when you’re there.” Sawyer ruffles the hair on Coop’s head.
“Or you could come with us, right, Mom? Aunt Willow said we could bring friends.”
The expression on Sawyer’s face is priceless and sweet. “Thanks, little dude.”
I notice he doesn’t promise anything, for which I’m equal parts grateful and sad. There’s no escaping my reality anymore. My son isn’t the only one falling for Sawyer Donnelly. I am, too.
“Hey, Tori!” I look over to see Cam waving at me as she walks up with Sawyer’s twin. I wave back, and we come to a stop until they catch up. Sawyer and Beckett do that man hug thing. I go to introduce Cooper, but Sawyer beats me to it.
“This is Coopzilla, coolest kid in town.” He tilts his head to the side and winks at Cooper. “Well, he’s tied with Violet for that title.”
