“I’d love a team that goes out and picks up dogs. I know we talked last year about starting another shelter, and I think it’s time we make it happen. We can expand here—and we should—but we’re going to saturate the area before long.”
“I’ll get with Bodhi about that guy in North Carolina—Roman, I think. He’s a Marine—got out not too long ago. I don’t know the details but I’ll work on it. Figure out what we need here and we’ll come up with a plan. The vet is releasing two of the dogs in the morning, so I need to be here for that.”
“I’m here for another hour at least.”
“Tanner.”
“I know. And I’d love to go home but this is what we agreed to when we started this. It was sustainable when our lives were different and we were just starting out. I’ll make the changes to get us both some time off, but we just need to tough it out a bit longer.”
“Fine, but don’t be too late.”
“Yes, Dad.”
He growls at me before turning for the door and stomping out of the office, a smile stretching across my face at his aggravation. The reprieve is short-lived but appreciated as I glance at the papers in front of me. Most can wait, but there are more than a few that have to be handled tonight before I leave.
With my priorities identified, I pick up my phone and type out a message.
TANNER: Another late night for me, I’m sorry
TANNER: Can I see you tomorrow?
DEACON: You don’t need to be sorry. I’ll make tomorrow work just let me know what time
TANNER: I’ll know better in the morning
DEACON: Make sure you get some rest because I have plans for you
TANNER: Already?
DEACON: You better believe it
32
DEACON
The Iron Cask is busy but I still managed to grab a corner of the bar while I wait for Tanner.
Tanner.
Even just thinking about him has my blood pumping and a smile creeping over my lips. I’d been skeptical the night Jude had left Tanner in charge while he took Arden to the hospital. There’d been a lot of declarations and while I’d been excited at the prospect, I’m no stranger to disappointment.
But Tanner hadn’t disappointed me—not even a little—not with his schedule at work or with Briggs. I just want to be with him when I can.
Like tonight—even if it’s just to fall asleep with him.
I miss him.
I thought I’d have a hard time slowing down to meet him where he is, but I wasn’t lying when I told him I like getting to do this with him.
Learn.
Explore.
It’s fun and not just the quick fuck I’d grown used to over the last few years.
“I thought that was you,” a husky voice says to my right. “I haven’t seen you around,” Jeremy says as his eyes rake over me. In the past, that would have been enough for me to hightail it out of here. We’d had plenty of fun but it had never beenmore.
And I likemore.
