Page 96 of Stay
“You’re up for having a puppy around the house?” he asks me. “Tell the truth. We could probably find other options if you’re not, but if you say yes, you’d be the one with it during the day.”
“I’m so up for it,” I say, glancing at Owen and grinning at him. “Scarlett and I were talking earlier this week about how much we wanted you to have a puppy, and she told me about Lucia and Delgado having puppies. I couldn’t wait for you to find out.”
Owen squeezes my arm and his body twists from side to side. He can’t contain it, and I can’t stop laughing.
“I can’t believe it,” he keeps saying.
“Can I have a puppy too?” Dakota asks.
Wyatt groans and then smiles at Dakota. I’ve learned that this man is putty in Dakota’s hands. It’s the sweetest thing to see.
“We’ll have to think about it. The new baby will keep us busy, you know,” he says before sighing. “It’s up to your mama.”
Marlow’s shoulders shake as she laughs. “You just can’t say no to her, can you?”
He holds his hands out toward Dakota. “Well, just look at her. Can you?”
Everyone laughs and the food comes. As I eat, I look around the table taking it all in, feeling like the luckiest person to have found people like this.
“I have to say, despite loving this news with all my heart, I was kind of hoping for another announcement,” Grinny says to Scarlett, pressing her lips together to contain her smile.
Scarlett laughs and waves her hand, glancing at Jamison. “Yeah, we’re still doing things backwards,” she says.
Jamison leans in and kisses her, whispering something that makes her cheeks flush.
Sutton nudges me with his elbow. “You’re quiet over there.”
“Just enjoying your family.”
“You approve?” Again with the smiling eyes.
Be still, my heart.
“I absolutely do,” I tell him.
“How do I rate in this approval?” he says low enough that only I can hear.
“You and Owen are soaring so high at the top.”
He smirks and for a second, I see the bedroom eyes, but he quickly schools it before looking down at his plate.
“You too, sweetness,” he says. “You too.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
FREEDOM AND FRIVOLITY
SUTTON
I buckle my seat belt and my hands brush against Felicity’s. She smiles at me and pushes her hair back before sighing.
“We made it,” she says.
Jamison and Pappy are sitting across the aisle from us and there are two people missing from this party.
Turns out Lucia had her puppies the same night Scarlett told us they were coming, and as much as Owen wanted to go to the Super Bowl, he wanted to be there to help Aunt Scarlett with the puppies much, much more. He must take after Theo and Callum because the boy is a natural with animals. Scarlett was relieved when I agreed to let him stay with her while we’re gone. She said he’s been the biggest help, which made Owen the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time. One of Weston’s friends is taking Owen’s ticket, so it all worked out.
It’ll be a quick trip to Boston, but I’m thrilled to have the breather. This week has been packed between work and Felicity and Owen with the puppies. I’ve barely seen them with the workload I’ve had. They’ve both been troupers, Felicity taking up the slack with Owen and keeping the house running without me, and Owen filling me in on everything I’ve missed when it’s just the two of us at bedtime.