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“You’re taking this EMT thing seriously and you’re going for it. This is going to be a whole new chapter in your life.”
“I just can’t wait for this to bring in more women. A hot EMT with tattoos? They won’t be able to resist.”
I laugh. “Fine, you can downplay this, but I won’t. I’m really proud, little bro.”
He shields his eyes from the sun, scanning the dog park. “Wilbur’s getting big.”
“He is. I love his little puppy stage, but I’m excited to see how big he’s going to get. The vet thinks he’ll be between eighty to a hundred pounds.”
“Damn. He’ll be the biggest dog in this place.”
I lean my elbows back against the bench. “So, you’re just looking to mess around with random women? You’re not interested in finding someone to be in a relationship with?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know if a relationship is for me.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not relationship material.”
“Says who?”
“I don’t know. I’m not the one who women want to settle down with. I’m the fun one. The one with the tattoos who you don’t bring home to mom.”
“But where are you getting that from? Is that what women have said about you, or is that your own insecurity?”
He rubs the back of his neck. “Come on, Nixie. You don’t look at me the same way you look at James.”
“You’re definitely different, but that doesn’t mean you’re not the same in your heart.” I squeeze his arm. “You have a lot to offer. You’ve been the best friend I’ve ever had. That’s exactly what you need to be a good boyfriend.”
He side-eyes me. “You mean that? The best friend part?”
I nod. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”
He glances out across the park. “Hey, where’s Wilbur?”
My back goes ramrod straight. “He was right there, playing with the chocolate lab.”
My eyes dart around as I spring to my feet. “Wilbur! Here, boy.”
Leo gestures to the left. “You go that way, and I’ll look over here. He probably saw a squirrel and ran into the woods.”
“Wilbur!” I call his name over and over again, furious with myself for not watching him more closely. “Come on, boy. Where are you?”
I search the area, and then Leo’s voice calls from the other side of the park. “He’s here! Nixie, I found him.”
My heart drops to my feet as I take off running in their direction. Leo holds Wilbur in his arms as he licks his face like nothing’s wrong.
“Is he okay? Is he hurt?” I scoop him into my arms and check his body. “What the heck happened?”
“I’m telling you, he must’ve seen something and tried chasing it.”
I clip his leash on his collar and put him on the ground. “Okay, that’s enough dog park for one day.”
I can’t let him out of my sight again.
“Let’s go by Miss Mindy’s on the way home.” Leo slings his arm around my shoulder. “I heard they have puppy treats there.”
“You’re gonna spoil your nephew.”
