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I go to him, melting into his embrace. “Hey.”
“You doing okay?”
I peer up at him, my heart seizing at the warmth in his expression. “I’m doing awesome.”
Approval flashes in his eyes as he gives me another squeeze. “Good.”
Pepper nudges my knee, making her way in between us. When I step back, she sits obediently, looking at Major for attention. He squats, rubbing her head. “Hey, girl.”
“Hope you guys don’t mind my coming to your entrance. I thought it would be easier to bring Pepper through the side gate than through the house. But I brought this.” I hold up the leash.
“No need, let her go.” Major opens the gate. “There’s already a crowd here.”
“Wait, I should escort her back there. She doesn’t know your place.”
“The area is fenced. Harley and Ace are back there, and they’ll watch her.”
I nibble on my lip, unsure that’s a good idea. I don’t know if she’s ever been around water. What if she falls in the pool? What if something happens? Cruz and Alex love this dog and she’s my responsibility.
“I’ll go with her.” Major picks up on my apprehension, motioning for an exuberant Pepper to run ahead. She takes off, never giving me a second look.
“Guess I’m chopped liver.”
“No offense, but if Major motioned to you to come with him, what would you do?”
There’s only one answer. I burst into giggles and nod. “Point taken.”
Jewls watches them, her hands going to her stomach, her eyes filling with happiness.
She is the strongest woman I know. Confident, smart, comfortable in her worth, and at the same time full of snark and sass. It’s in small moments like this that she lets her soft side shine.
I step back to my car, unloading the food carriers.
“What’s this?” she asks, reaching for my bag.
“I brought some sides.”
“You didn’t have to do that. We have enough for an army.”
“I felt like cooking.”
She jerks, her jaw dropping. “You know how to cook?”
“Yes, smartass. I learned from the best.”
“You’ve never cooked before.”
“Things change.” I shrug, avoiding eye contact. Truth is, I love to cook. The studio apartment isn’t exactly equipped for preparing meals. It’s one thing I miss about my house. But since I moved into Cruz and Alex’s place for the week, the kitchen was calling to me.
“Need any help?” Harley comes through the gate.
“I have it.”
She stands next to Jewls, shooting her a stare that makes my stomach dive.
“Well, since we have you alone…” She drifts off.
“Why do I sense a trap?”
