Miu-miu whimpered, going around in circles, chasing her own tail. She wanted to do her business outside. If I didn’t hurry and take her out, she’d leave a poo right there on the bamboo flooring. “Jesus, where’s Nolan now?” I grumbled. He bought the dog for an anniversary gift six months ago, even though I’d told him countless times I didn’t want pets in an apartment.
“But every happy home needs a pet to cuddle,” he’d said as he handed me the fluff ball. And in spite of my resistance, she’d wormed her way into my heart on the damn spot, making me melt. She was smart too. As a puppy she chewed his slippers and peed on his side of the bed. I had to laugh at the irony of it all.
“Come, let’s take you out,” I said as I grabbed her leash. It was getting chilly at night because winter was creeping closer, but I couldn’t be bothered to grab a robe. Usually there was nobody around at this time, and I’d slipped out in my silky pajamas many a night before without being busted.
Miu-miu shot out as soon as I opened the door and bolted down the stairwell. I laughed and ran after her, thinking of all the calories I’d burned running up and down these steps after her the last few weeks since Nolan had gone. He’d never wanted me to take her out at night; according to him it was dangerous for a woman to be out there alone. When I'd replied that my watchdog would protect me, he just laughed and tucked her under his arm before leaving the apartment. Little did I know that the whole frigging toilet training routine was rigged as a chance for him to make phone calls to his new assistant. And not to talk about work, either. I caught him screwing the bimbo not long after, in our bed, in our apartment.
I’d put the apartment up for sale immediately. It sold within three weeks because I was willing to take a knock on the price just to get out. I’d also thrown in the furniture Nolan had bought which had sweetened the deal. In a few weeks I was moving to a new apartment I'd bought in an entirely different area so that I wouldn’t be reminded of him in any way.
Part of me also wanted to get rid of the dog after that, but I just couldn’t let her go too. So here I was, doing the toilet training by myself with a puppy I’d never really wanted but now loved. I smiled at how strange life was, how it took us on paths so different to what we expected.
Usually the glass door was closed at the entrance and that gave me a chance to catch up to Miu-miu before I clipped the leash on and walked her out, but tonight someone had left the door open and she had darted right out by herself. My heart beat wildly in my chest. Damn, she was so small she could easily get run over by a car. Panic swept through me as I ran out, calling her name.
In the distance I saw a stranger crouch down and pat her. Jesus, he’d better not steal my dog. Miu-miu was a thoroughbred Yorkie, and she was worth a small fortune. It would be easy to snatch my baby and walk off with her. Damn little bitch was way too trusting of strangers. I'd be crushed if I lost her too.
“Hey, Mister, let my dog go,” I shouted. “Miu-miu, come here.” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice, but I couldn’t help mistrusting the stranger. He seemed dark and dangerous, looming over her.
He rose to his feet and stared in my direction, holding Miu-miu under his arm. He was a humungous man, tall and wide; his silhouette in the dark was ominous and scary, but nothing was going to stop me from protecting my dog. She really was all I had to pour my love into.
As I stepped into the light, he quickly put her down, turned and disappeared around the corner. Damn. I was shaking like a leaf, cold and shivering. But adrenaline was running through my veins, readying my fight or flight reflexes. I scooped the tiny dog into my arms, a sigh of relief escaping into the night.
Just then a hand rested on my shoulder. I swung around, ready to punch whoever approached.
“It's only me. What the hell are you doing out at night by yourself?”
“N . . . Nolan? What the hell are you doing here?”
He gave me that sexy smile that always made my heart skip a beat. “I missed you, babe. I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“That still doesn’t explain why you’re here . . .”
“I was in the neighborhood and just wanted to stare up at our window, knowing you were inside, sleeping.” He reached out and stroked Miu-miu’s head. She licked his hand and wagged her tail, overly happy to see him. Traitor.
“Well, stare at the window all you want. I'm going back in now.” Miu-miu yelped as I yanked her away from him and stormed toward the building.
“Babe, wait.” With a few long strides he caught up to me, placing his hand on the small of my back.