That wiped the teasing smirk off his brother’s face.
“I made a promise, man,” Garrett said. “I’m keeping it.”
“I know,” Shane said. “But I’m telling you, stay on that woman, keep her close, and control whatever it is she’s doing. If you send her packing, you’ll look like you have something to hide.”
“Because I do.”
“I know that and you know that, but she doesn’t have to know that.”
Garrett shook his head. “I don’t think I can do it.”
“Suit yourself, Bro.” Shane punched his shoulder. “But a little action might put you in a better mood.”
“Screw you.”
“Not action with me.” Shane winked and walked out, leaving Garrett to stew.
Chapter Six
She might have been alone with Lola for five minutes or fifteen. Jessie wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she somehow got the dog to lay her head on Jessie’s lap, and she seemed so incredibly comfortable, it would be a crime to get up.
So Jessie leaned against the kennel wall and stroked the soft, soft fur, thinking about Garrett and Waterford and her job and her life and Mercedes and Stephanie and the miserable tear that rolled down her cheek.
“Sometimes I feel like putting my head on someone’s lap, too,” she whispered to the dog. “But never not eating. If I were you, I’d be facedown in a pint of salted caramel gelato right now. I might be very soon, actually.”#p#分页标题#e#
Lola lifted her head as if she actually understood. Maybe she wanted gelato.
“Want to eat something, sweetheart?”
After a second, Lola got up, turned in a circle, made a whimpering sound, then lowered herself back down, her snout an inch away from the food bowl. Like she wanted to eat, but couldn’t break her hunger strike.
“Go ahead, take a bite,” Jessie coaxed, tapping the side of the bowl full of something that looked like dry kibbles. “I bet it’s good.”
Without lifting her head, Lola looked up with giant cocoa brown eyes that looked as sad as Jessie felt. “Come on, Lola love,” Jessie urged. “Just one bite.”
When Lola didn’t move, Jessie dug into the dry bits of dog food and scooped some onto two fingers, offering it to her. “How about this?”
Lola looked hard at the food, considering it for sure, then thumped her head down in a clear no.
Come on.
“Babe, you know what I think? My guess is that someone you thought should love and care for you disappeared. They left you somewhere you were supposed to be safe, but you were so alone. You know, that happened to me. I was sixteen. How old are you?”
Lola’s tail flipped once, making Jessie laugh softly. “You don’t know, of course. But you’re old enough to know that someone should love you and doesn’t. I wonder if they had another dog they loved more. I know how that feels.”
Another thump.
“Then, when you think you’re going to get your big break and finally be the ‘best’ instead of always overlooked and overwhelmed and overshadowed by someone bigger, better, brighter, and beautifuler…it blows up in your face. Like it will in mine. Again.”
For a second, Lola looked up, as if she’d changed her mind, then exhaled a soft sigh and put her head back down with a pathetic thud.
“That’s my tale of woe,” Jessie whispered. “What’s yours? Did somebody leave you? If so, you’ll find a better owner. Did somebody love you and lose you? Then I hope they find you.”
Lola blinked at Jessie, as if she, too, were fighting tears. Jessie’s heart rolled over with love. So much that she leaned over and placed the lightest kiss on the dog’s head.
Lola inched forward and took some food from Jessie’s hand.
“Nice work!” Jessie exclaimed, giving her neck a rub. “You want more?”
She finished chewing and stayed very still as if considering it. Then dropped down again.
“Oh, Lola. Come on, have more. One more bite.” She scooped some more food and placed her hand in front of Lola’s mouth.
But she still didn’t move. So, once more, Jessie leaned over and put a kiss on the top of Lola’s head.
And she lifted her head and ate.
“Oh, so that’s your game.” Jessie laughed. “You eat for kisses.” She tested the theory and, sure enough, Lola ate some more.
“Good girl. Now let’s try this.” She inched the whole bowl closer and planted another light kiss on Lola’s head. Immediately, she got up on her feet and started to eat.
“Holy shit.”
Jessie whipped her head around at the unexpected sound of a man’s voice, biting her lip when she saw Garrett standing outside the kennel gate looking in.