I have to bite back a smile. Poor bastard. He’s really been through the wringer.
“Hey, buddy.” I walk over to him and crouch down. “How you doing?”
He grunts and scuffs the cone against my shoulder.
“How long does he have to keep this on for?” I stand up, taking his leash from Penny.
“See how he goes. Dr. Callie only put it on as he was chewing at the cast.”
“See Dozer, leave your leg alone and the cone can come off.”
He gives me a dirty look, then yanks his leash from my hand and limps over to Mia.
I watch them, the way she welcomes him over, no fear. Dozer is a big dog, and people are usually wary of him, but not Mia. Not even when he drops his huge head on her lap, awkwardly shuffling around with the cone, drooling on her jeans. She doesn’t falter, just gives him the attention he wants.
Dozer is never this friendly with people he doesn’t know. Generally, he gives them a wide birth. He’s always been that way, and I’ve put it down to whatever happened to him to make him land on our doorstep.
But Mia did care for him after his accident; she showed him a kindness that most people don’t have in them. It will have pre-warmed him to her, and Mia is hard not to like. I know that all too damn well.
I watch her scratching his ear, cooing over him, and he’s freaking soaking it up. Lucky bastard. What I wouldn’t give to have her hands on me right now. Seriously, I’d take an ear scratching if it meant her touching me.
A broken leg is starting to sound quite appealing at this moment in time.
Mia suddenly lifts her eyes from Dozer to me like she can hear my thoughts, and catches me staring.
Her blue eyes peer curiously into mine. I know I should look away, but I don’t…
I can’t.
A smile slowly lifts her lips. The light coming in through the window, behind her, frames her perfectly. She looks like an angel. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Punch. To. The. Chest.
I feel like I can’t breathe.
“If you can just sign these forms for me, and settle up the bill,” Penny says, pulling my attention from Mia.
“Sure,” I say, rubbing at my sternum.
If this keeps up, I’ll be having a heart attack way before my time.
With a nod, I follow her over to the reception desk. I hand Penny my credit card, trying not to think of how the hell I’m going to pay it off after these vet bills drain it, and sign the two forms she hands to me.
I glance over my shoulder, and catch Mia staring at me. She’s definitely checking me out. My ass to be exact.
She looks away when she realizes I’ve caught her out.
I can’t help the happy f**king glow I feel. I’m grinning like a stripper at a frat party.
After I’ve finished signing forms, and spending money I don’t have, Penny gives me a small bag containing Dozer’s medication.
“These are for his pain. Give him one, three times daily with food, and we’ll need to see him back here in a month’s time to check how that leg’s healing. Only give him a light dinner tonight as his stomach will still be tender from the anesthetic. You can take the collar and leash home with you. Just return it to us when you have time.”
“Thanks, I’ll bring it by tomorrow.”
I make the appointment for four weeks time, and slip the appointment card into my wallet along with my credit card. I shove the medication in my pocket as I make my way back to Mia. Dozer is still making doe eyes at her.
Even my dog is crazy about her.
Not that I’m crazy about her.
No f**king way.
Absolutely not.
Never. Ever.
“Ready?” I reach down for Dozer’s leash.
Turning his head, he knocks my hand away with that huge cone he’s wearing and puts his leash in his mouth, holding it out for Mia to take.
Nice, Dozer. Blowing me off for a chick. I think he forgets who feeds him.
Taking the leash from his mouth, she rubs his head.
She gazes up at me, a smile pushing the corner of her mouth. “Is it okay with you if I walk him out to your car?”
“Doesn’t look like you’ve got much of a choice.” I grin in the direction of Dozer’s wagging tail. “I think you’ve got an admirer.”
She giggles. It’s one of the sexiest sounds I’ve ever heard.
“Well, Dozer wouldn’t be a bad admirer to have, but I think I’m just a new face to get some attention from. Not that I imagine you ever struggle for attention,” she says to Dozer. “Handsome boy that you are … aren’t you … yes, you are.” She smooshes his face in her hands, and I actually find myself jealous of my dog.
I’m jealous of my dog.
I really need to get laid.
“Let’s go.” I shove my hands in my pockets, then head for the door and out to my car.
I help Dozer in the back seat. Turning, I find Mia hovering behind me as he settles himself.
“Should I sit in the back with him again?” she asks, biting her bottom lip.
Jesus, I want to bite that lip. Lick it. Suck it. Fuck it.
I see Dozer’s head lift, and his ears prick up. “Nah, he’ll be fine. You’ll have more room up front here next to me.”
“Okay … if you’re sure.”
I see Dozer’s head drop on a grunt.
I hold a smile back as I watch Mia walk around the car and climb in the passenger seat. But as I’m getting in the car, I can’t resist giving Dozer a smug grin.