Page 32

"Come on, little lady, don't eat that." I scoop Daisy up again and cuddle her to my chest. God, she's so soft. And so much more peaceful than Dick's teenage self.

"And this girl can stay in my living room. Obviously, it's not a long-term solution," I shrug and run my fingertip over her head. "But it will work for a night or two while you figure out a permanent solution."

"Why?" she asks blankly, stares at me with her striking green eyes, and tilts her head curiously.

"Because your animals need a space for tonight?" I point out slowly, eyebrow arching. "And I have enough space."

A beat of silence and the frown slowly melts off her face. "It is that simple to you, isn't it?"

Slowly, my second eyebrow wanders up my forehead. Why would it be any more complicated than this?

"Listen, Brooke. I don't know what kind of image you have of me in your exceptionally beautiful head, but I'm not here for some ulterior motive." I chuckle and reposition the bunny in my arms. "I could have stayed at my friend's place and been eating the world's best cinnamon rolls right now. And if you tell me you don't need my help, that's exactly where I'll be going. You can take my help or don't. But you have to make a decision." My stomach grumbles. "Because I'm really fucking hungry."

"Okay." Her gaze drops to the bunny in my arms again. "Let's do it."

Evan meets us outside as we carry the first batch of animals to my car. I have a cat carrier in each hand, while Brooke is wrangling the dogs, all of them curious to see what’s going on in the main square.

Brooke fills him in, and he shoots me an annoyingly gleeful glance, which I pointedly ignore.

"Don't fuck it up, bro," he mumbles as I carry the last carrier with my new little friend to my car, and it makes me want to punch him.

“You know me.”

“Which is exactly why I’m saying it.”

“Shut up and help me carry the canaries. They’ll go into your car.”

Once we arrive at my place, Evan stares at my home, arms crossed in front of his chest, and lets out a whistle. “Nice house you got there.”

All of our hangouts since I moved here were in Kinstead, though I did show him pictures of my home. Maybe because subconsciously I was scared about Nic and Lauren finding out about him and asking questions I can’t answer without revealing more about myself than I want to.

“I know,” I reply with a wink and carry my new best friend, in the form of a bunny, inside. Evan grabs two of the cats and follows me, taking everything in curiously.

At first, I fully intend to follow through and free up the garage. There are some props from my TikTok videos that neither Evan nor Brooke needs to see.

But then, as Evan and I carry the giant canary cage inside, Rose blinks at me with her adorably fluffy face and her wide, shiny eyes, and there’s no way I’ll make her sleep in the garage.

"So, uh..." I stammer when Brooke comes to a stop in front of the house. "If the dogs still get along with Dick, I'm happy to let them all hang out in the living room."

"Are you sure?" Brooke shoots me a skeptical glare. Then her face falls. "Wait. Is Dick neutered?"

There it is. The slightest twitch in the corner of her mouth. She’s almost smiling, and it’s making my heart race. Not all hope is lost. I’ll win her over. With my boyish charm and the humor of a sixth grader.

Really, what could go wrong?

"Yep," I say, popping the lead off. "And not too happy about it, let me tell you. He’s still at Nic’s place, but I’ll get him as soon as everyone’s settled.”

A car pulls into the driveway, and I shoot Evan a confused glance. What other Kinsteader knows I live here?

“Jamie.” I don’t even need to voice my question for him to answer. “My car is still at the shop, and I need to get home somehow. Surprise, this is my cue to go.” Evan stretches his arms over his head, then stares at his sister. “Behave.” She answers by swiping a curl behind her ear with her middle finger. Then his attention lands on me. “Yeah, I won’t even try. Have a good night, you two.” He waves at us and leaves. Two minutes later, I hear his car pull out of my driveway.

The dogs sniff their way around the living room, as Brooke and I carry the cats to one of my guest rooms. They’re too skittish to come out, so we leave them in there with some food and water to warm up to the room.

By the time we return to my living room, the girl’s gang is hanging out on my couch with a confidence as if they’ve done so thousands of times and shoot us a tired look. My hands are itching to pet their shiny, thick fur and get some dog cuddles, but alas, the doorbell rings.

I pull the door open, a grin tugging on my lips when I see my friend's grumpy face. "Caleb! How lovely. What brings you here?"

"Your dog. Lauren said he’s too naughty to let him stay over.” He points downwards, right as Dick nudges his way inside through my legs. “And I have leftovers for you. You know, green bean casserole and stuff." He holds up a bag.