the rookie stopped complaining and threatening him with the Board of Health. In a matter of a week, his hard-core cop buddies who’d once made fun of her now took turns visiting his desk to hang.
It annoyed the crap out of him.
But Pinky was getting much better. Probably good enough to find a permanent home. He kept delaying the day he would give her back to Arilyn but decided it needed to be done sooner than later. Pinky needed a real family. Not a bunch of workaholic, donut-eating cops.
Devine kept talking. “You’re a real asshole plus a bore. When McCoy rigged your computer mouse not to work, you freaked so bad, I thought you were gonna beat the crap out of him. When you’re not surly, you’re moping around, making me miserable. Hey, should we stop at the Barking Dog for her? She likes those sugar cookies.”
Stone shot him a glare and kept his eyes on the road. “No, she’s eating too much sugar lately. Sorry if I’m not your Mr. Charming, but I hate the holidays. They’re full of expectations and promise that never get fulfilled.”
“Did you graduate from Harvard psychology, man? What’s up with that mumbo jumbo?”
“Forget it.”
“I thought you’d be happy. You’re the one who broke it off with her, right? You had some good sex, got your freedom back, a cool dog. What more do you want?”
Arilyn Meadows. He missed her more than smoking. He missed her body, her smile, her laugh. He missed her makeshift family and the anger management sessions. There was this big-ass void in his gut and his life that he couldn’t understand or get past.
He’d never been in love before. His marriage with Ellen had been a pale ghost of the real thing, which he knew now. The short affairs before had just been lust. Now that he’d experienced the real thing, he was ruined.
“Nothing.”
“Son of a bitch.” The softly spoken curse jarred his ears. Devine let out a hearty laugh. “You fell in love with her! Why the hell did you break it off?”
“Shut up.”
“Hell, no, I’m not shutting up. What’s up with you, dude? If she made you happy, why didn’t you just be with her?”
He gritted his teeth so hard, he thought shards would snap out of his mouth. “We’re not good together for the long haul,” he said tightly. “I only did it sooner to spare both of us heartache.”
“Yeah, how’s that working out for you?”
“Fuck you.”
“No, fuck you! You finally meet a decent woman who wants to put up with your crap, and you break up with her for the greater good? What about what you want for a change? What did you do so horrible in your past life that you don’t deserve to be happy?”
Stone glared. “Look, my marriage was a mess. This job sucks you dry. I don’t do long-term.”
“You never did before because you didn’t meet the right one,” Devine pointed out.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Drop it. We got a double-parked vehicle in front of Xpressions. Go do something with your life rather than ride me and write up a damn ticket. The town needs money.”
Stone pulled over. Devine studied him, shook his head hard, and muttered something foul. “Whatever, dude. It’s your life.”
“That’s right. My life. My decision.”
“It’s an asshat decision. Ain’t no guarantees for anyone.”
Devine climbed out of the car, pulled out his pad, and began to run the plate. Stone stared out the windshield, his mind turning over his friend’s words.
LATER THAT NIGHT, HE made his decision.
It didn’t take him long to pack up the belongings. A dog bed, some food, her favorite chew toys. She was already wearing the sweater and collar. The fuchsia bling-encrusted leash should be illegal, but it was the perfect length and size, so he kept it.
Pinky raced to the door, sitting quietly, body shaking with excitement. A sick nausea hit his stomach. Damn. He hoped he wasn’t getting a virus. Stone forced a smile he didn’t feel and knelt down to her level.
“Look, this is going to be for the best. You’re gonna be with a real family. Kids, parents who love and take care of you. No one is ever gonna hurt you again, I swear to God. And I’ll never forget you.”
As if sensing something hidden, Pinky frowned, then trotted close to lick his cheek.
Stone cleared his throat and picked her up. “Let’s do this.”
By the time he reached her porch, his nausea had gotten worse, until