Page 110 of Carver’s Craving

Carver pulled a key from his pocket. “Spike made a spare. We’ll get the other one from him later. Or he can recycle it.”

“I have a key as well.” But my words sort of went unnoticed as Baxter grabbed the key from Carver and dove for the back door.

My eyes watered, and I moved to Carver. “Thank you.”

He pulled me in for a tight hug. “Whatever you need.”

“That must’ve been expensive.”

“What’s money, Styx? I’ll pay off my credit card with my next paycheck.”

“Everything’s going to be expensive. With two other grown men here.”

He chuckled. “You have no idea how much money I used to spend on takeout. I’m saving money. Having you here.” Still, his dark-brown eyes glistened.

With happiness? I wanted to ask, but we had company.

“If you two are finished.” Baxter held his keyboard in its case.

I headed around the van. “I’m going to grab my guitar as well.”

“They’ve only been in the cold for a bit—Spike kept the van in a heated garage.” Carver sorted his personal keys until he found the house one. “Uh, maybe let Poppin come out? She might not bark as much.”

I didn’t believe that, but was willing to try. “Sure.” I found my acoustic safely in its case, then moved to Baxter. “Bark is worse than her bite. In fact, she doesn’t bite.”

He blinked—with the same dark-brown eyes as Carver’s. His goatee had disappeared into an actual beard. Is he going to shave? I couldn’t see his head under his toque. Has his hair grown? It grows so fast. He preferred the shaved look—like Carver. I just had no idea.

Carver opened the door. Poppin flew out of the house. She took one look at Baxter and started barking her head off.

I crouched. “Hey, baby girl. If you stop barking, I’ll give you some cucumber.”

She cocked her head, spluttered a couple of times—but didn’t resume her cacophony.

Score.

Carver put Walter on the ground. He waddled over to me, brushed my arm with his nose, then meandered over to his favorite spot to relieve himself.

“Poppin, go pee.” Carver grinned. “So we don’t have to bring them out again for a little bit. But anyone is allowed to walk them at anytime. Just remember Walter goes in the wagon.”

Of course, that wasn’t for my benefit. Still, I liked the idea he was giving Baxter permission to take a break by walking the dogs. Although we’d loved Marta’s dogs, we hadn’t spent much time taking care of them. Did Baxter’s aunt have a dog? I can’t remember. I rose. “Let’s head inside.”

“Yeah.” Baxter followed me.

As we passed Carver, he asked, “Is there anything else that needs to come in? Clothes? Toiletries?”

“Yeah.” Baxter didn’t look back.

I offered Carver my best smile. “Thanks, baby.”

“I heard that.” Baxter. From inside the house.

Carver frowned.

“We’ll play it by ear.” I didn’t know if Baxter objected to my relationship with Carver, or if he was just being the snarky guy I always knew. Or at least the jaded one who’d come out of his marriage to Arlene.

“Sure.” Carver moved to the van while I hustled inside.

Baxter stood by the windows. “Amazing.”