A proud smile overtakes her little lips.
“Hey, you want to go see some doggies with me today?”
“Doggies?” Eager green eyes go wide.
“Lots of doggies.”
She quickly nods before squirming in my grasp, asking to be put down. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she races to her room, which I assume is to get ready.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
27
STEVIE
“Gus, buddy, I need to wash that blanket.”
Attempting to pull the dirty fleece blanket out from underneath him, the big guy rolls onto his back, sprawling out and letting me know that the laundry is going to have to wait for another day.
I resign, giving him belly scratches instead.
The bell over the front door catches my attention, but Cheryl is at the front desk, and she can greet whoever is walking in, so I bring my focus back to the lazy as hell yellow lab on his back.
“Mr. Zanders, welcome back,” Cheryl says, causing my spine to stiffen and my stomach to be filled with nerves.
I haven’t seen or talked to that beautiful man since the gala over a week ago, and that’s because I’m scared. I’m scared that he truly is nothing like the preconceived notions that follow him around indicate. I’m scared that he’s good. No, I know he’s good. I think I knew that before the charity gala, but it was confirmed when I learned that Active Minds was as much his creation as it was Maddison’s.
But I have no idea why he puts on a front for the rest of the world, pretending to be someone he’s not. He claims never to lie, but that seems like a huge one, and if he can lie about that, is he lying about his feelings for me?
I’m scared, plain and simple.
“And who do we have with us today?” Cheryl asks.
“This is Ella,” I hear Zanders say.
“Hi!” a small voice rings out, making me silently laugh as my heart aches.
I stay quiet, unsure if I want Zanders to know I’m here.
“Are we here for Stevie or Rosie today?” Cheryl asks, blowing my cover.
And why does she sound so comfortable with him? She’s only ever seen him once, and that was a quick moment from across the room.
“I get a choice today? How about both?”
That causes my cheeks to warm and my stomach to flip again.
As I walk around the barrier that blocks the dog’s playroom from the entryway, I quickly try to clean myself up. The last time Zanders saw me, I was in a gown with professional makeup on my face. This time, I’m covered in dog hair, my hair hasn’t been washed in five days, and I’m wearing my usual flannel and baggy jeans.
But as soon as I turn the corner and see Zanders staring at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen, I let those insecurities go, just as I do any time I’m around him.
His hazel eyes are soft as they bore into me, and I can’t help but be happy to see him. I’ve missed him, as strange as that is to admit.
My throat bobs in a deep swallow. “You following me?”
A content smile pulls at his lips. “Hey, Stevie girl.”
My cheeks heat as they do whenever I hear him say that name. Or “sweetheart” or just about anything else he might think of to call me.
I stay silent, still in shock that he’s actually here. But he’s wearing overly expensive shoes, his outfit is perfectly coordinated and tailored, and his watch shines the way only the over-priced ones do. It’s definitely him.
“EJ, I don’t know if you remember from Halloween, but this is my friend Stevie.”
That brings me back to reality, my attention shifting to the little girl holding his hand, her wild brunette hair falling out around the beanie on her head.
“Hi.” She waves at me across the room.
“Hey, Ella. What are you two doing here?” I direct the question at Maddison’s daughter but fully expect Zanders to tell me what the hell is going on.
“We gonna see doggies!” she excitedly answers.
“Is today the day?” Cheryl interrupts.
Brows furrowed, my head snaps back and forth between the stunning man decked to the nines and the owner of the shelter.
“I think so,” Zanders says, wearing his perfect megawatt smile. “I want Ella to meet her first, though.”
“What are you guys talking about?”
“You haven’t told her yet?” Cheryl’s eyes are wide with surprise before they shift to amusement.
Finally, I open the dog gate, letting myself into the front room. “Tell me what?”
“I’m adopting Rosie.”