“My brother’s got a puppy?” I heard Isabelle’s voice in the background.
“Oh no,” Mel exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were back, Isabelle.”
“Put me on speakerphone,” I said.
A second later, Isabelle’s voice was loud and clear. “Do my ears deceive me?”
“Not at all, sis.” Since the cat was out of the bag, I had to fess up. “It’s my present for you. I know you want one.”
“Holy shit! Really? You’re the best brother in the world. But wait, why is he at your place?”
“Because I didn’t want to leave him at the shelter for another two weeks until you move,” I explained.
“Awww... I knew you were a softie somewhere deep down under that armor. Very deep,” my sister taunted.
I laughed. I would never hear the end of it. I was sure of it.
“What does he look like?” Isabelle inquired.
“He’s black. I’d say a mix of Labrador and cocker spaniel,” I explained.
“When can I see him?”
“After you move.”
“Ha! The joke’s on you, brother. I have a puppy, and I want him right now.”
“You’re not getting him. Not until you move, anyway.”
“It’s not good for a young pup to change places too often,” Mel cut in. “Wait a second. I’ll take you off speakerphone.” A few seconds later, the background noise faded as Mel said, “Listen, my session with Isabelle is going to be over in twenty minutes. If you want, afterward I can drop by your apartment and see if there's anything I can do to help him settle in.”
“Sounds perfect.” I didn't even have to come up with an excuse to lure her here. This was my lucky night. “Make sure Isabelle doesn’t tag along.”
Mel laughed. “No, I’m with you on that, don’t worry. She’s giving me the evil eye, but I can handle it.”
“I have no doubt.”
“I can give you some pointers. I do that sometimes for people who adopt a dog. When it doesn't adapt, sometimes they bring it back.”
“I wouldn't bring a dog back, Mel. I’m not heartless.”
“I know, but I think this will be easier for the two of you.”
“Okay. I don't live far away from the gym. I'm near Battery Park. I'll text you the exact address.”
I could still hear my sister laughing in the background.
“Okay, I'll see you later,” Mel said.
After she hung up, I took stock of the living room. The furniture didn't seem harmed, but then I had metal legs for most of it. I lived in a three-bedroom apartment in a high-rise overlooking the Hudson River and Battery Park. I’d chosen this space for two reasons: it was close to the office, and it had come fully furnished. Everything was new and modern, with a lot of metal and wood. The real estate agent had called it industrial style. I was clueless at this sort of thing, but it looked decent.
While waiting for Mel, I played fetch with a small rubber ball with the puppy. The sitter told me this morning that it was an excellent exercise to help him get rid of excess energy in the evening. He didn't quite seem to get the hang of the game, though. He came to me instead of following the rubber ball. I went with him outside for potty training, thinking about the evening ahead. I had a great plan for tonight. I was going to take Mel out to dinner, where we could revisit the idea of us being friends. I couldn’t fool myself—friendship with Mel wasn’t going to be enough. The woman stirred too many things inside me. And they all crossed the boundary of friendship.
After Cody and I returned inside, he began running around the living room in circles. A few minutes later, the doorman rang, announcing that I had a visitor. I told him to send Mel up. At the same time, my phone lit up with a message from Isabelle. I grinned without reading it. I had a hunch I knew what it was about. I’d deal with it later.
When I heard the elevator ping, I opened the door. Mel was wearing the same dress from this morning. Her hair was up in a ponytail. I usually didn't notice details about women, but when she had her hair like that, her shoulders were so inviting, begging to be kissed and explored. I wanted to discover all her sweet spots.
“Hey, I hope I'm not too late.” She stepped inside, looking around. “This is a great place and so central.”
“Where is yours?”
“It's in Bay Ridge. I love it. It has an amazing small-town feeling. I live on the second floor of a renovated townhouse that someone split into apartments. It's not close to the gym, but it's not too bad a commute. So our guy here is giving you headaches, huh? In his defense, most puppies do. Did he ruin any furniture?”
“No, the furniture is okay.” I looked into the living room and found him in the corner of the couch. “He's in his favorite spot on the couch again.”
Mel glanced from the sofa to the dog bed next to the door.
“Why don't we put the bed next to the couch? I think he might take to it more easily.”
“Sure, let’s try it. Why not?” I took the dog bed and placed it where Mel indicated. The pup came to the edge of the couch, quickly looking down at the dog bed before heading back in his corner.
I laughed. “He's not very impressed, is he? I don't think that's going to work out tonight.”
“No, not tonight, but from time to time, put him there, and I think he might grow to like it.” She sat on the floor, patting his belly. He was wiggling his tail, stretching to flash her more of his stomach.
“How did you manage to get rid of Isabelle? I half expected both of you to show up on my doorstep.”
“Have a little faith in me,” she said with a wink but then averted her gaze.
“Did Isabelle warn you again about me?” I joked, crouching to sit on the floor next to her.
The tips of her ears turned red. “Umm, no. But she was super interested in how you ended up at the shelter in the first place.”
“What did you tell her?”
“That’s between your sister and me.” Her tone was teasing. Her eyes sparkled. I leaned forward a few inches, barely able to keep from kissing her. She sucked in a breath, turning abruptly to look at the puppy. One hand was next to her thigh, clenched in a fist, as if she were barely holding back from touching me.
Fucking hell, this woman!
It wasn’t just that I wanted more than friendship.
I needed it.
“Mel, I would like to take you out to dinner tonight if you don't have plans. As a thank-you for stopping by and for helping me out at the store. And if you have plans tonight, I'd like us to make plans for another night,” I added before she could shut me down.
To my surprise, she smiled, looking at the pup, who was now chewing the freaking armrest.
“Oh, fucking hell. The couch?” I scooped him up, placing him on his bed.
“Yeah. I don't think leaving him alone is such a good idea. I don't think you can find a dog sitter on such short notice. We can order in,” she said.
Bingo! What I wanted was to spend time with her. It didn't matter where or how. It was much better if we stayed here in my apartment. That way, I had her all to myself.
Chapter Nine