Burn for Me(35)

“You knew all along?” Her mouth hung open.

“I did,” she said with a huge grin.

Jamie looked at Smith, and she couldn’t stop smiling either. “That’s why you were so into your phone this morning?”

“I wanted to make sure she thought it was a good idea to get you the dog you wanted. And she said yes. So I had the big sister approval before I got him for you.”

“But how did you get him?”

The puppy rubbed his snout against Jamie’s leg and started licking again. She laughed and picked him up.

“I’ll tell you how. But we need to set some ground rules first.”

…

Smith had the canine trump card, and he was pretty damn sure Jamie was bending his way again. But he was going to need to let her know once and for all how he felt about her.

“Now, listen. I texted you. I told you something came up. And I meant it. This came up.”

The puppy barked. A loud sound for such a young dog.

“I think he wants you to hold him,” he said, and she scooped him up and hugged him tight. “I didn’t tell you where I was because I was with Cara picking up this gift for you. She happens to know all the shelters in Northern California, and she made some calls, and made sure you got the dog you were on the waiting list for. And that’s why I was so damn preoccupied with my phone this morning, texting her, and texting your sister.”

“You did all that for me?” she said, with something like wonder in her voice.

“Don’t you get it? I’m crazy for you. And I should have told you this morning when you told me how you felt, but all I wanted to do was get you this dog. To show you how well I know you and how committed I can be to you.”

“I was just so scared. I’d let you in and I want you in, but I thought you only wanted the no-strings part and that once you got the strings, you wanted to cut them off.”

He laughed. “I want all those strings wrapped around me. Maybe with a leash, too. Now give this little guy some attention,” he said, nodding to the dog.

She stroked the puppy between his small pointy ears, then kissed him once on the head. “I love him already,” she said. Then she spoke quietly, looking contrite. “Will you forgive me for walking off again?”

“I hauled ass to San Jose when I heard we could get him. And I frigging hate San Jose. It was a six-hour drive round trip with all the traffic,” he said. “I should have taken a moment on your front step and told you I was falling for you too, but I was so damn excited to get you the thing you’ve wanted most. For you, Jamie. I wanted you to have this dog for no other reason than I am damn crazy about you and only you, and nothing is going to change that.”

A grin played on her lips. “This dog is the thing I’ve wanted most. But there’s something else I want, too. Someone else.”

“You’d better want me,” he said, as if giving her a command. Then he softened. “So what are we going to name him?”

We.

They were a we.

Jamie studied the puppy in her arms. “How about Chance? Because you always told me to give you a chance.”

He nodded, liking the name. “I think that’s a most excellent name for a most excellent dog. Now, come dance with me,” he said, tipping his forehead toward the gazebo as the band started on a slow song.

“But I have to make the cotton candy,” she said.

Diane tapped her shoulder. “I can handle the cotton candy. Go dance with your man and your dog.”



As they swayed under the stars, the dog played at their feet.

“And to think, it all started when you asked me to dance at the kickoff party,” she said, tucking her face in the crook of his neck.

“And then we did many other things.”

“Speaking of,” she said, “Maybe we can get out of here soon.”

“That’s my woman. Coming back for more.”

“So much more,” she said. She grinned at him, then the dog, at their feet. “Smith, I’m glad I took a chance on you.”



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