Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“I’ll let Lisa know you’re here. She just ran to the supply trailer out back.” While the men wait in the lobby, I find my manager, and she asks me to go fetch Barnes while she finalizes the adoption. It turns out the brothers already spoke to her about adopting, so most of the paperwork is done. She’s careful to make sure the pets go to good homes.
Barnes is excited to see me, like he always is, and maybe I’m imagining it, but he seems to have an extra spring in his step, like he knows something good is about to happen. Seeing animals go to their forever homes is far and away the best part of volunteering at the shelter, and I’m especially excited about this guy, both because I like him so much, and because I know he’s going to a great home.
His tail starts wagging at top speed when I bring him into the office. He pulls on his leash to reach the closest brother, and goes to each of the men in turn, his little bottom wiggling along with his tail. My heart threatens to burst out of my chest.
“You should be all set,” Lisa says, standing. “Jade will grab a goody bag for you on your way out.”
The brothers follow me out into the lobby, and when I hand them the aforementioned bag of treat samples and toys, Maddox asks if I’ll come over tonight to help them get Barnes settled in.
“You need help settling him in? Is that the excuse you’re going to use for trying to get me to come over again?”
He nods. “Is it working?”
I look down at Barnes, whose tail still hasn’t stopped tapping a happy rhythm back and forth. “Yes, it’s definitely working.” Checking my watch, I add, “My shift is over in a little over an hour.”
Lisa is walking by and overhears. “You can leave early if you have plans, Jade.”
“She does have plans,” Diesel says. “We’re going to make dinner for her.”
“Very nice. Then, by all means,” Lisa says. To me, she adds, “I’ll see you the next time you’re in.”
I’m surprised by the dinner offer. Chase made breakfast this morning, but it was just eggs and toast. My ex never made a meal for me, and here these men are, offering to cook for me twice in one day.
“Are you ready to go?” Dodge asks.
“I just need to get my bag. I’ll meet you outside.”
In the lot, I find that the men have already loaded Barnes into their SUV, and they’ve installed a hammock sort of thing in the back seat to keep him in place in case they have to make any sudden stops.
“Can I ride with you?” Maddox asks. I guess Barnes has taken his spot in their vehicle.
“Sure.” I wave to the others and lead Maddox to my car. As we set off, I hand him my phone open to the music streaming app I use, and tell him he can choose what we listen to. I’m curious to see what he’ll choose, and impressed by his thoughtfulness when he puts my saved list of favorites on shuffle.
“Did you say you’ve been volunteering at the shelter since high school?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“That’s a long time,” he says.
“I guess so. I expect to keep doing it for many more years. If the shelter was bigger and had more paid positions, I’d love to work there full time. Though I really enjoy working at the bakery too.”
“Puppies and cupcakes. What could be better than that?” he says.
“I guess your job has a big perk too,” I say.
“What’s that?”
“Adoring female fans.” I keep my tone light. I’m one of those fans now too.
“I’m not gonna lie. That was fun at first. And very flattering. But it gets old quickly. The audience is there for a wild night of fantasy, and they don’t want me; they want the image I project.”
I’m quiet for a minute, struck by his response. “You make it sound lonely,” I say finally.
“I don’t mean to be negative about it, and I’m certainly not complaining, but it’s not really how people think it is.”
I nod but don’t respond, because I’m not sure what to say. I’d have certainly never thought about a male dancer’s life from the perspective he just offered, and it’s giving me a lot to think about.
We ride in comfortable silence for a few miles until, out of nowhere, Maddox says, “So how many kids do you want?”
The way he blurts out the question makes me think he’s offering to impregnate me right this minute. “Ummm …”
I glance at him and see he’s wearing a big grin. He meant to ambush me with the personal question. “Last night you mentioned you wanted a family,” he explains after letting me sweat for a moment.