but it was more evidence of how comfortably those two lived with each other.
He ignored the little ache in his stomach as he reached for the cupboard door, and he saw a line of dog treats that would probably rival any pet store. “Wow, spoiled much?” he muttered, then flushed, but Sebastion only laughed.
“So damn guilty, though Luca is way worse than I am. The ones in the blue bag, the chewy ones—those are her favorites. Grab like three of them and she’ll be your best friend for life. You can also put me on speaker if you want, so she can hear my voice.”
Xan immediately did as he grabbed the treats, then he shuffled his way down the hall, and hesitated at the open door to the couples’ bedroom. It was like the living room—clean and put together, but so lived in. There was a robe on the back of the closet door, and the bed was made but it looked like someone had rolled around on it after—or maybe two someones. He didn’t look at the fine details, afraid he might see something too intimate, so he turned his attention to the dog crate that was under the window and covered with a light blanket.
He could hear a quiet whimper from behind, so he gently peeled back the cover and she immediately gave a sharp bark.
“Ivy!” Sebastion said, and the noise stopped. “It’s okay, sweet girl. This is our new best friend Xan, and he’s gonna give you hugs because your dumbass dad did exactly what I told him not to do.”
Xan couldn’t help a snort as he reached for the blanket again. “Did he?”
Sebastion let out a sigh, and for a second, Xan desperately wished he knew what the man looked like. “Well, not exactly. Luca’s worked in the chem lab for years, and he’s only gotten hurt one other time. But I guess…I don’t know. I had a feeling. This one is worse than the last time.”
He sounded so profoundly sad and worried, Xan wished he could reach through the phone and just carry Sebastion home. “He’s okay though, right?”
“Yes,” he answered, and Xan could swear he heard a small smile in his voice. “He’s in pain and high as a kite, but he’s going to be fine.”
Xan breathed a little easier, then turned his attention back to the dog. She was surprisingly large with black, brown, and white patterns in her curly poodle hair. Her eyes were wide and full of black pupil, and she watched him a little warily as he reached for the latch.
She didn’t bark this time or growl. She just watched him carefully as the door swung open. “How bad was last time?” he asked, just to get Sebastion talking again. It seemed to calm the dog a little, and she watched him carefully as he sank down to a crouch and offered one of the treats out.
“Oh,” Sebastion said, almost like he’d forgotten he was on the phone, “he got a nasty burn on his chest. Some acid compound or…something, I honestly don’t remember the details. It ate right through his apron, though. He’s got a couple of impressive scars, but Todd said this one was way worse. He’s probably going to need a skin graft.”
“Todd?” Xan asked, unthinking as the dog crept closer and gave his fingers a sniff. With delicate teeth, she plucked the first treat from his hands, and he readied the second.
“He’s Luca’s best friend. He’s the emergency contact if I’m out of town.” Sebastion sighed again. “How is she?”
“Hmm, oh,” Xan said, then laughed when Ivy began to lick his hand. “I don’t think she’s going to eat me.”
“Thank god,” Sebastion breathed out. “Listen, I have to run, but I’m going to try to get out of this as soon as I can, okay? So you shouldn’t have to hang out there long.”
Xan bristled for a second, but he realized he was a stranger in their home with their dog who was very clearly as precious as a child. “Of course.”
“Alexander,” Sebastion said, and the way he said his name sounded heavy and important, “I really mean it. Thank you. I know you have a lot going on, and Luca told me about the fight and the…bruise.”
Xan squeezed his eyes shut, then he let out a soft oomph when Ivy knocked him flat on his ass and settled over his thighs. His heart was racing, but something about pushing his fingers into the dog’s curly