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“Stuff,” Lily said coyly as she picked up a danish.
“Extremely fun stuff,” Zoey added coolly.
I noticed Joe tried to hide a giddy smile of his own.
I narrowed my eyes at them. “I’m not sure I want to know.”
“So, what happened last night after you went to the bar?” Lily asked.
I instantly clammed up.
Zoey shook her head at Lily.
“Oh. Sorry,” Lily apologised.
“It’s okay. Today’s a new day, and I need to start doing some training exercises with Mama.” I glanced over to where the dog was laying on the floor by the couch.
“Now that is a cute dog. Is she yours?” Joe asked.
“She’s my foster. I’ve got her until she whelps her puppies,” I replied.
“So, she says. But Aria is so in love with this dog, and the dog loves Aria, and we love both of them. It’s one great, big love fest.” Lily threw her hands up. “Aria’s bound to keep her.”
I rolled my eyes at Lily and called Mama over so she could be introduced to Joe. It was adorable seeing a big tough man like him fawn over a sweet dog like Mama.
“You say she’s pregnant?” Joe asked.
“Early stages. We don’t know how many she’s carrying yet.”
He stroked Mama’s broad head. “This makes me wish I wasn’t going to the Navy soon. I’d definitely adopt one of her puppies.”
“One moment.” I got to my feet and went to my file where I pulled out a sheet for adoption through my animal clinic and took it back out to Joe. We rarely used these forms because rescue wasn’t our main priority. Mama was the odd exception since she hadn’t found a foster through an organisation. “Here, this is an adoption application form in case you change your mind.”
I mentally made a few notes on how Mama was interacting with the stranger. She was submissive and only too willing to receive affection, which said to me that she might be one of those superstar dogs who would make a full recovery once she knew she was never going to be abused again.
Lily lifted an eyebrow at Joe. “I think you’d be so sexy with a puppy.”
“Animal adopters are hella sexy,” Zoey added with a slow nod.
Joe glanced over the form. “Thank you, Aria. I’ll seriously think about it.”
After scarfing down a fair amount of food, everyone pitched in with the clean-up. As I was loading the dishwasher when Joe came over and had a quiet word with me. “I’m not exactly sure what was going on last night between you and the new guy, but I can tell it’s stressing you out. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
I frowned at him. “New guy? What do you mean, new guy?”
“Jamal, the nightclub boss, recently employed him. He’s a new member of his entourage.”
“Aren’t you a part of his entourage?” I asked.
“No way. I’m a part-time bouncer, that’s it. I have a day job over in Manhattan . . . until I get into the Navy, anyhow. The guys around the boss are on a whole different level.” Joe moved his hand through the air away from himself. “I’ll give you a heads-up, Aria. If he’s in with that crowd, then that guy’s no good for you. Be careful, okay?”
I barely registered Joe squeezing my shoulder. My hands trembled, so I put the plate down before I dropped it.
Joe turned to Lily and Zoey and cheerfully shouted, “Ladies! Who’s coming to work out with me this morning?”
“I’ll come!” Lily said enthusiastically.
“No, don’t do it!” Zoey warned. “He’s hardcore. Your body will hate you.”
