“It doesn’t matter.” I shake my head. “I can’t work for Hellsgate Media. Ever.”
“They own three-quarters of the market, Lily. You’re cutting yourself out of a hell of a lot of opportunities.”
I blink back tears. I know he’s right.
He places his hand over mine, squeezing gently. “This is your dream.”
He’s right about that too, but … “I can’t, Julian. Nobody will ever let me forget what happened.”
He scoffs. “Fuck ’em.”
“Nobody will ever believe that I got the job on my own merit.”
“You’re wrong.” He shakes his head. “Everyone at that magazine knows what a good writer you are, and that has fuck all to do with West Archer. You hold your head high and you rock that job like you were born for it. Because you were. And I know you are strong enough to not give a damn what anybody else thinks.”
“Thank you for the amazing opportunity, Julian, but I can’t.”
The hope in his eyes disappears, and he sits back with a sigh. “I knew you were going to say that.”
Before he can try and persuade me further, our waffles arrive, distracting him with their sugary goodness.
I trudge down the hallway toward Jen’s apartment, my heart heavy at having to turn down my dream job. But I will never work for any of those men. I can’t believe how a three-month relationship managed to fuck up my life so royally.
I’m too busy plotting extravagant ways to get my revenge, plans I will never put into action, to notice the man standing outside the apartment until I’m practically on top of him. It’s the wriggling black and tan ball he’s cradling in his arms that steals most of my attention though. Despite my crappy morning, I smile. Who can resist a puppy? Especially one as cute as this one, with its nubby tail wagging and tongue hanging out.
“Well, aren’t you adorable?” I coo, giving the pup a scratch on the head.
“Lily Sloane?”
I tilt my head. “Yeah?”
“Thank god,” he huffs, then dumps the puppy in my arms. “This is for you.”
The bundle of fur licks my face. “What?”
“Need you to sign here.” He holds out a pen and clipboard, like my hands aren’t full of baby Rottweiler.
“No. There’s been some mistake. I didn’t order a puppy.” I hold the squirming dog away from my body, trying to hand it back.
“No mistake. I definitely have the right name and address.” He shakes the pen and clipboard at me.
“I am not signing that. You need to take him back.” The puppy licks my face again, and I sputter.
The delivery guy groans. “You folks make my job so fucking difficult.” With that, he turns and walks away.
“Hey!” I shout after him. “I’m a delivery person too.” Why I feel the need to explain myself to a complete stranger, I have no idea. “But you can’t leave me with this dog.”
Ignoring me, he leaves me alone with the incredibly inconvenient, if utterly adorable, animal.
I fumble in my pocket for my keys. Why doesn’t he have a collar and a leash? At least then I could put him on the floor without fear of him bolting.
“Where the hell did you even come from?” Finally getting the door open, I stumble into the apartment and put the dog on the floor. He scampers off in the direction of Jen’s bedroom, and I curse under my breath. Pacing up and down the tiny apartment, I go on muttering every curse word I can think of while rubbing my sweaty palms on my jeans. What the heck am I going to do? Pets aren’t allowed in the building, but even if they were, I can barely take care of myself right now. Who would be stupid enough to send me a pup— I am going to kill him.
Xander goddamn King is the only person who knows that I’ve always wanted a Rottweiler. Is this his idea of a fucking joke? I stomp my foot on the floor and scream at the top of my lungs.
The pup comes running out of Jen’s room, tripping over his too-big feet. Righting himself from his tumble, he cocks his head and stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have.
I drop to my knees, and he prances over and burrows his giant puppy head into my neck. “I’m sorry, boy.” I quickly lift his paws and check his parts, confirming that he is indeed a boy. “You’re so adorable, and if I had a house with a yard and the money to feed and care for you, I would keep you in a heartbeat.”
His little nub wiggles back and forth, and he stares up at me with his bottomless brown eyes. How can anyone ever be cruel to such amazing animals? I really do wish I could keep him. Way to break my heart all over again, Xander.