“I’m scared of screwing her up.” She swallows. “Of making a mistake. Of not being enough.”
My chest pulls as Mia shoves her hair away from her face. Her vibrant blue eyes are glued to the puppy in front of her, but she doesn’t say a word. I know this girl. I know she hates being vulnerable. I know she hates showing weakness. I know she’s a walking contradiction. I know she thinks she can take on the world, but she’s too afraid to open herself up to anyone who could help her do it. And right now, she’s afraid of letting the puppy in front of her down. She’s afraid of screwing her up when I know she would never let it happen in the first place. Not when she already cares about her.
“Trust me,” I murmur. “You’re going to do fine. And when you need help, I’ll be here.”
Unconvinced, she huffs, “Puppies are a big deal, Henry.”
“I know.”
“And even if I do love her already, it’s still a big responsibility.”
“I know,” I repeat.
“And how do I even travel with a German Shepherd? It’s not like I can put her on my lap during the flight. She’s going to grow so big––”
“I have my ways.”
Arms folded, she huffs, “Like what?”
“Well, when we aren’t traveling with the team, we can buy her a first-class ticket, or if that isn’t an option, we can take the private plane. Not a big deal.”
Her eyes bulge as she looks up at me from the ground. “You have a private plane?”
I chuckle and sit beside her. Her naivety regarding my net worth never ceases to amaze me. “Yeah, Mia. I have a private plane. I know you hate money, but sometimes it can buy convenience. This is my official invitation. You and the puppy can use it whenever you want.”
“Are you serious?”
“Am I much of a jokester?”
Her mouth ticks up before she sucks her bottom lip into it and watches the puppy chew on the edge of her armchair. I reach forward, tugging her away from the monstrosity, and click my fingers against the floor. Taking the bait, she pounces on me like a baby lion and nibbles my hand.
When I finally peek up at Mia, her gaze is on me. It’s reserved. Hesitant. But almost hopeful, too, making my lungs stall.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“You’re welcome.” I pick the puppy up, scoot closer to Mia on the hardwood floor, and plop the beast in her lap. “Now, she needs a name.”
Resting her head against my shoulder, she looks down at the puppy in her lap and lets out a soft sigh. I wrap my arm around her shoulders and press a kiss to her temple. “And dog supplies,” I add. “Are you ready to go shopping?”
39
MIA
“You know, when you mentioned Nala needed dog supplies, I figured we’d go to PetCo or something, not a furniture store,” I quip.
“Where are you going to sit when Nala wants to cuddle?” Henry challenges.
“I dunno? The floor?”
“Nala deserves more than the floor to snuggle on,” he informs me, plopping his fine ass on a gray sectional in the middle of the furniture store and patting the cushion next to him.
Grudgingly, I cross my arms but take a seat and rest my feet on the glass coffee table in front of us. “Personally, I think you’re trying to convince me to buy furniture for my apartment.”
“That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” His arm wraps around my shoulders, and he tugs me against him. “I know you have a thing about money, but certain things in life are borderline necessities. Like a place to sit when you’re in your own apartment.” He drops a kiss on the crown of my head and adds, “Besides, you can afford it now. And if you beg to differ, I’ll simply buy it for you.”
Glaring at him, I say, “I don’t like buying things for myself, and I don’t like handouts.”
“So don’t buy the furniture for you. Buy it for Nala.”
My eyes pinch even more, and a knowing grin spreads across his face. “That’s my girl.”
By the time we’re ready to walk out of the store, I’m buying a kitchen table, a coffee table, a massive bean bag bed, and a new couch, all of which Henry convinced me are in some way a necessity for my brand new German Shepherd.
A German. Freaking. Shepherd.
The man’s delusional and clearly has more faith in me than I do.
He’s also really thoughtful.
And sweeter than anyone gives him credit for.
After handing my credit card to the sales associate, she casts a quick glance at Henry and gives it back to me. “It seems the bill has already been paid, and the items you purchased will be delivered to your apartment next week.”
I glower at Henry beside me. “Excuse me?”
He hooks his arm around my shoulders, whispering, “Strange, isn’t it?”
“Very strange,” I agree. “Especially when you already bought me a freaking puppy. One currently sitting in a brand new kennel with a brand new cushy bed at my apartment.”
“Humor me, Mia,” Henry replies. “I like taking care of my…” he hesitates, the same cocky smirk wreaking havoc on my insides, “friends.”
“Friends,” I repeat. “Mm-hmm. Sure.” I elbow his ribs, but the bastard doesn’t even flinch as we walk outside and head to his car at the edge of the parking lot. “You were sneaky. I don’t like sneaky.”
“I wouldn’t have to be sneaky if you would let me take care of you without throwing a fit every step of the way.” He opens the passenger door, motioning for me to climb inside.
Arms crossed, I give in and sit but hold his gaze through the still-opened passenger door. “I like being independent.”
“I like you being independent,” he replies. “And you’re right. I overstepped my bounds. I’ll be more forward with my intentions from now on.”
Shifting in my seat, I make myself comfortable and say, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He closes the door, rounds the front of the car, and slides behind the steering wheel. As the engine roars to life, he adds, “And to help make up for me overstepping my bounds, I’ll let you buy me dinner.”
“Let me?” I quip.
Turning in his seat, he grasps my hand and brings it to his lips. “Mia. Friend. Brat,” he teases. “Will you please buy me dinner tonight?”
My teeth dig into the inside of my cheek as I try to maintain my amusement. Then, my expression falls.
His brows dip. “What’s wrong?”
“I actually have to go home.”
“Why?”
“I have plans tonight.”
“What kind of plans?” he prods.
My nose scrunches, and I shove my guilt aside. “Blake and Theo invited me to their place for a small housewarming party.”
“Oh.” He lets my hand go but doesn’t shift his car into drive. He simply stares at me. Waiting. When I stay quiet, he nods slowly. “I assume you are not going to extend me an invitation.”
My guilt flares, and I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
The light in his eyes dims, and he puts his car into drive. “Don’t worry about it.”