looking forward to it. I’ve been thinking about a few ideas. You know how you have information sheets on each of the animal’s kennels? Would it be helpful for the event if I made each of them an introduction board? I could include pictures of them eating, sleeping, playing, to give families an idea of what they’d be like as pets. I have lots of animal stickers and embellishments I could use to decorate the boards.”
“Do you have time for all that?”
“I’ll make time,” Chloe said with a smile. “I was also thinking that it might be cute to make blue bow ties for the boys and pink bows for the girls and tie them to their collars.”
“Oh my gosh. I love that idea! It’ll make them even cuter.”
“Will Dwayne mind?”
“Gunner? No. He’s such a sucker for these animals. Have you seen him with Snowflake?”
“Yes, and my ovaries almost exploded.”
Sid laughed. “I think he’d love the ideas you mentioned. Do you want help? It sounds like a lot of work. I can help with the bows and bow ties, and I’m sure Evie, Baz’s assistant, and Tori, our office administrator, would be happy to help, too. Unless you want to do it all?”
“No, that would be great. I have tons of ribbons. I’ll drop some off tomorrow when we come see Shadow. Will Evie and Tori be here? I can show you guys how to make the bow ties. They can be a little tricky.”
“I’ll ask them to stick around.”
Sidney took her to the other building to take pictures of the animals, and they talked about ideas for the introduction boards. When Chloe left, she felt lighter and a little less lonely for Justin. She was glad she’d gone and glad to have gotten to know Sidney better. But when she got home, her cottage was too quiet, and she missed him all over again.
She lifted her chin, refusing to be that girl, and she fell back on the habits that had always taken the edge off. She organized, planned, and dove into the work at hand. She put the laundry in the dryer, feeling silly for being happy to see Justin’s shirt going into her dryer. She weeded through her mail. Then she set herself up in the dining room and began working on an album for Joey.
She relived that incredible afternoon in Harborside while choosing pictures, which only made her miss Justin more. But she pushed through, working diligently and keeping her nose to the grindstone as best she could. When she took a break to fold the laundry, Justin’s shirt did her in. She eyed her phone, thinking about texting him. She forced herself not to do it and went back to the dining room.
When a text rolled in and Justin’s name appeared on her screen, her pulse skyrocketed. She grabbed the phone and read the text. Hey, sexy girl. Do you have room in your bed for a greedy biker boy?
“Yes!” she said as she thumbed out a teasing response. That depends. Which biker boy is this?
Another message popped up. The one who will kick the ass of any other man who tries to get into your bed. He added a devil emoji.
She texted, Mr. Wicked, is that your territorial side coming out again?
She sat with the phone in her hand, awaiting his reply, getting more nervous with every passing minute. Five minutes passed in silence. Ten. She paced the living room, trying to figure out where that fine line should be drawn. She knew he had a right to be territorial, but the idea of him beating someone up over jealousy turned her stomach.
The roar of a motorcycle sent her darting out the door. She ran to the driveway as he cut the engine and pulled off his helmet. His jaw was tight as he climbed off the bike and strode toward her.
She gulped a breath and said, “Justin, I—”
“Asking me not to be territorial over you is like asking you not to be so protective of your sister.” His eyes drilled into her, but his tone softened as he said, “But a pretty dragonfly schooled me on how to do it properly. You see, I wouldn’t have to kick a guy’s ass. Instead I’d just do this.” He grabbed her face and crushed his mouth to hers, kissing her so passionately, her knees weakened. She had to hang on to him just to remain standing. “I think that’s within your parameters. Am I right,