Youth Center. He mentioned that Lila’s dog had surprise puppies, so I called her and asked her if it would be all right if we dropped by to see if it was something we really wanted. And if you don’t want to, we don’t have to. I thought we’d just come and check it out, and then maybe if we both were on board with the idea and if—”
Noah stopped Alex’s babbling with a kiss.
“Really?” he asked after he pulled away.
“Things are finally calming down. I know life has been a bit crazy over the last year, but it’ll be better now, and I think it’s time to focus fully on us for a while,” Alex said. “Not to mention, we have that whole huge backyard now that just screams for somebody to dig holes in it and play fetch there. Helen told me you always wanted a dog, and I think we should. Plus, let’s face it, right now, you’re a vet who doesn’t have a pet, which is kind of sad, to be honest.”
“It is sad,” Noah agreed with a huge grin. “Some would even say it makes me seem untrustworthy.”
“Well, you know, I didn’t want to say anything but…”
Noah threw his head back and laughed.
“So a dog,” he said.
“I mean, we kind of have to take one now, if only to guarantee the continued success of the clinic. Think about it, you wouldn’t go to a piano teacher who doesn’t have a piano, so why would you trust a vet without a pet?”
“That’s an awful nickname.”
“I know. We better do something about it before it takes on.”
Noah stepped over the side of the pen and reached his arm out, letting the mom smell the back of his hand. The puppies immediately crowded around his feet, pushing each other out of the way as Noah crouched down, petting them and chuckling at their antics.
“I kind of wish I was an octopus,” he said, looking at Alex, while trying to give enough attention to all the puppies.
Alex laughed as he stepped into the pen, too. “I think we can handle this together without any extra limbs.”
He crouched next to Noah and started giving the puppies pets and hugs. The sight of one of the puppies waggling toward Alex on its short legs and practically climbing in his lap until Alex picked the puppy up melted Noah’s insides into mushy, marshmallowy goo.
The puppy waggled to get even closer and happily licked over Alex’s cheek, making Alex chuckle as he kissed the puppy at the top of its head.
“I think he likes me.” He pressed his cheek against the puppy’s head.
“I can relate.”
Alex glanced at Noah with so much love shining in his eyes that it was impossible not to swoon.
“So we’re doing this?” he asked.
“Yeah.” Noah couldn’t nod quickly enough. Alex leaned forward and pressed the softest of kisses on his lips.
“And now to the difficult part,” Alex said as he let his gaze slide over all the puppies. “Which one?”
Noah snorted as he watched the little guy in Alex’s arms. The puppy was pressed against Alex’s chest, eyes half-closed in pleasure as Alex’s fingers played in his fur.
“I think you’ve already been claimed,” he said and nodded toward the puppy.
Just then, Lila stepped back into the barn. She looked at the, by now, sleeping puppy in Alex’s lap.
“Made a new friend?”
“It would appear so.”
An hour later, they waved to Lila as they drove away from the farm. The puppy was going to stay with his mom for another two weeks, and then they’d come back to take him home. Although, judging by the way Alex kept glancing in the rearview mirror, it was highly likely they’d be back for a visit in a few days.
Noah couldn’t wait. He turned his head to the side and watched Alex. The man had his elbow leaned against the edge of the window, and he had a small smile playing on his lips as they headed back toward Seattle. There was no tension in Alex’s shoulders anymore. He looked relaxed and happy—just the way Noah liked him.
Noah slid his palm on Alex’s thigh and squeezed. Alex glanced at him and raised his brow in question.
“You know what makes being me so rare?” Noah asked.
Alex raised his brow. “Umm… yes? We’ve covered your unicorn status many times.”
Noah chuckled and shook his head. “This has nothing to do with my blood. That’s just a side effect of being me. No. What makes me rare is