“Not in this house.”
“This is technically my house.”
He gives me a look—one that means he finds me genuinely entertaining and is doing only moderate work concealing it.“German shepherd,” he says.
“Absolutely not.”
“Think about it… they’re loyal, intelligent, athletic—”
“They’re enormous,” I say dismissively.“They can’t fit on my lap, and besides… I have you if I want loyal, intelligent and athletic.”
He ignores my jab.“Labs are good.”
“Labs chew everything.”
“You train them not to.”
“Have you even met yourself?”I challenge.“You can’t even train yourself to put your socks in a hamper.”
He covers his heart with his hand, looking grievously pained.“That’s a low blow.”
“Golden retriever,” I offer, because I’m willing to negotiate.
He considers this.“Go on.”
“It’s fluffy and retrieves.It’s a compromise candidate.”
“It’s a dog that cries when you leave the room.”
“So do I,” I say with a grin, “and you seem fine with that.”
Cole’s eyes warm, his smile softening from banter to adoration.It’s an expression he’s been wearing all week like he’s still surprised that we’re here, that this is real, that all of it worked out.He gets that look and I lose my train of thought completely every time.I almost capitulate on the German shepherd.
“Fine,” he says.“Golden retriever is a top candidate.”
He goes back to unpacking and I start on a new box, cutting the tape, digging through the layer of bubble wrap protecting what turns out to be a set of coffee mugs even though the box is clearly labeled Bedroom.
I hold one up.“We need to have a conversation about cabinet real estate.”
“Bernese mountain dog,” he says, ignoring the cup in my hand.
“Now you’re just changing the subject,” I chide.
He grins at me.“They’re great dogs.Calm, gentle—”
“Also the size of a love seat.”
“You said you wanted fluffy.”
“I said small and fluffy.”
“Fine.How about a Pomeranian?”he says.
I look up, skepticism twisting my expression.“Seriously?”
“I’m showing range.”
“You just went from Bernese mountain dog to Pomeranian.There’s a lot of disconnect between those two breeds.”
