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“No!” Pepper halted abruptly. “I just meant I don’t know anyone really. I don’t have any friends, but I don’t have any enemies either.”
The thought of her only having one person in her life made me feel strange. At least Miss Adeline loved her and was a worthy friend. Pepper was so amazing. She should have lots of friends.
And she did have Daniel and Vivian. Even Lexie and her brother, who brought the dog food.
Pepper had more people who cared for her than she realized.
I wanted to surround her with so much love that she’d never be touched again by any ugliness.
Not that I loved her.
I took in her disheveled appearance.
I loved that her hair was always loose from her ponytail.
I loved that there were usually paw streaks on her clothes.
I loved that she had no idea how beautiful she was.
I loved how she took care of Miss Adeline.
I loved how she put the dogs above all else.
I loved that she was always there for me.
I loved that her heart was the biggest I’d ever seen even though she had every reason for it not to be.
“Teague?” A line of worry creased her forehead.
“I love you,” I blurted out the terrifying words when the realization hit me.
“What?” Her arm went limp, and for a second I was afraid she was going drop the leashes in her hand.
“I love you.” The statement was more confident when I repeated it. Now that I’d test-driven it on my tongue a couple of times, it felt right.
I half expected her to take Ash and leave me out on the sidewalk.
“I—” Her face was a mix of confusion and hope. “How?”
“I just do.” I cupped her cheek, and she leaned into my palm. It was cold from the wind.
“I—”
Her struggle for a response made me love her even more.
“This is our spot now.” I leaned in close.
There was a letterbox, some dead grass around a tree, and a shuttered business with profanity graffitied on it.
She glanced around. Grey Paws was in sight. Maybe it would’ve been better if I’d had my epiphany in front of it. But I couldn’t control where my mind went.
“It might not be the most romantic, but I just realized I’m in love with you, so that makes it pretty damn special.” I sealed my lips on hers. In seconds, we’d thawed each other, and only warmth was between us.
Her kiss wasn’t tentative. It was sure. An answer without words. And despite all the awful things that had happened lately, I’d never been happier.
Woof.
Woof. Woof.
