dog?”
I dropped away from Angie, stepping back quickly, my hand going to Goat, rumpling the fur on his head. Angie picked up on my reaction, her powerful gaze sliding slowly from me to Kinsley. There was no cattiness. Angie wasn’t like that, but I felt her eyes peel back layers, seeing more than I wanted.
“Now I understand.” She nodded to herself.
“Understand what?” Kinsley asked.
“Another part of my dream. It all is clear now.” Angie stared at Kinsley, a perceptive smile hinting on her mouth before her attention jumped to me. “Oh Smith… you are so fucked.”
My chest tightened, understanding her meaning.
“Karma, my beautiful boy. This one will level you.”
“One already did,” I muttered.
“No, you thought it did. But soon you will understand the difference.” An expression full of pity softened her eyes. In a blink it was gone. Angie clapped her hands. “So, is this the sweetie I get the honor of spoiling for a few days?” She lowered to Goat, holding out her hand for him to come to her. He sniffed her hand, probably smelling the delicious food she made from scratch for all her dogs. Goat licked it, nuzzling into her palm.
“You are so sweet. Been hurt in the past I can tell, but he is a happy soul.” She cooed at Goat, making his butt wiggle happily. He still peered back at Kinsley as if he was asking permission from his mommy, but Angie had a special aura. People, animals, spirits… they all went to her like a magnet.
“He’s afraid of men…” Kinsley stepped protectively to Goat. “Well, except this asshole.” She thumbed over to me. “Maybe something is wrong with my dog. Do you think you could check for brain damage? I mean, he instantly liked him. That’s a sure sign, right?”
Angie’s head fell back, laughing as she rose up. “I like her.” Angie winked playfully at me, causing me to grumble under my breath.
“I have learned,” Angie sighed, a slight sadness drifting through her eyes, “that Smith has the knack for making anything with a pulse lose all sense.”
“Don’t I know it,” Kinsley said so low I thought I imagined it. She kept her eyes on the ground, tucking hair behind her ear. The simple move had me staring at her exposed throat, the trickle of sweat gliding down her neck.
A noise from Angie whipped my head back. She tried to fight back her shit-eating grin, her eyes glinting at catching me. Her head shaking with more pity for me. I grunted under my breath, and she smiled wider.
“I will take very good care of your baby. Don’t worry. Call anytime, but I will send you updates and pictures throughout the day. He will be happy, I promise.” Angie reached out for Goat’s leash. Kinsley hesitated. I knew this wasn’t easy for her. She had never left Goat. Hell, I was going to miss the fluff ball, and I had only known him for a little over a week.
“We can keep him with us, but I know he’ll be happy with Ang.”
“I know.” Kinsley nodded and inhaled, handing the leash over. She dropped the bag off her shoulder full of his treats, toys, and food at Angie’s feet. “He’ll be better-off here than being stuck in a hotel room.” She leaned over, petting and kissing him, muttering in his ear. Quickly, she bit her lip, turned, and headed for the van, probably before she could change her mind.
I rubbed his fur. Big brown eyes peered up at me like I was abandoning him, his tongue licking my hand. “We’ll be back, little man.” Shit, this guy was ripping out my heart.
Angie pulled out a treat, distracting Goat.
“Thank you, Angie.” I curved in Kinsley’s direction.
“You hurt me.”
Fuck. I knew this was coming. Rubbing my head, I exhaled, my head bobbing. “I know. And I’m sorry.”
“I should have known better. You were so young; I knew you wouldn’t stay.” She licked her lips peering away. “And even with all my insight and intuition… I still hoped. I did love you, Smith. Even when I knew you’d never be mine.”
I flinched, hating I had hurt her but knowing I wouldn’t have changed anything.
“It’s okay. I was meant to merely be a stop in your life. Your journey had barely started.”
“Just know you were an incredible stop.” All the women I had been with after really should have been thanking her. “Best teacher any man could possibly hope for.”
She grinned as her eyes watered.
“Thank you.”
“Again, I’m sorry.” I