I softly kiss her lips once more and pull back slightly as I open my bedroom door.
Stepping out of her way so she can walk in, she immediately gasps and runs to the bed, where an eight-week-old puppy is wiggling with excitement, anxiously waiting for her to pick him up.
“Oh my God!” she screams—her excitement addicting as I follow her. “You got a puppy?” She picks him up and holds him close to her chest. “He’s so sweet!” She rubs his fur against her cheek.
I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into me. “I got you a puppy.”
Her eyes widen as she looks up at me. “What? Why? I mean, I can’t have a puppy in the dorms. What about when I leave?” Her bottom lip trembles, and I can tell she’s not getting my whole point.
“He’s going to live here with me until you come back.”
“He is?”
“Yes.” I smile confidently. “That way I know you’ll come back. I know you can’t resist puppies.”
She chuckles, rubbing the length of her chin along his face. “So he’s collateral? I don’t come back, and you get to keep the puppy?”
“I don’t want to keep the puppy, princess. I just want you.”
She tilts her head and narrows her eyes. “You have me. Regardless of being gone for six months, I’m not going anywhere. We’ll still text and Skype, and I’ll call you every night. I’ll be back before we know it.” Her words are reassuring, but I can’t help but notice the tone in her voice isn’t as confident.
“Well then, think of him as a thank-you gift.”
She repositions him on her chest, and soon, his eyes are closing as he rests his head on her shoulder.
“A thank-you gift for what?”
I brush my fingers through her hair and look her in the eyes. “For taking care of me and making sure I was fed and properly cleaned.”
“Oh, yes. Those showers were a terrible inconvenience for me.” She smiles and presses little kisses to the puppy’s cheeks.
“So what do you want to name him?”
We sit down on the edge of the bed and take a good look at him. He has fluffy golden fur and dark, beady eyes.
“He looks like a Gryffindor to me. Gryff for short.”
I throw my head back and laugh. Of course, she’d give him a Harry Potter name. I rub my hand along his back as he rests peacefully on Viola’s lap. “Sorry, little guy. We didn’t stand a chance on giving you a more manly name, but I’ll be sure all the single ladies know you’re macho and badass.”
Viola chuckles and rests her head against my shoulder. “Now I’m going to have to say goodbye to two special men in my life.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll keep each other company.”
“You’re going to have to feed him while I’m gone. And take him for walks. And give him baths. He’ll probably want to sleep with you, too. They usually miss their brothers and sisters for the first few weeks after being separated.” She continues to ramble until I finally interrupt and shut her up.
“Viola!” I shout. “I think I can handle a harmless little puppy.”
She tilts her face up, uncertainty written all over it. “What are you going to tell Drew?”
“Don’t worry about Drew. I’ll take care of it.”
We lie on the bed, petting and playing with Gryff. He chews on our fingers, my comforter, and even Viola’s hair. The way her face lights up when she looks at him makes me so damn happy, and I wish I could bottle up this moment and just keep it this way forever.
I remember Viola telling me how much she wanted a dog. She asked for one every Christmas, and like clockwork, it never came. I didn’t grow up with pets, except one old cat my mother cherished like a baby. I never got close enough to it to consider it a companion, but Viola would go nuts every time someone would walk a dog past their house. She talked about dogs like she did her books, and I knew she’d always wanted one. Some girls want a pony, but Viola’s always wanted a puppy.
Even though she lives in the dorms, and she’ll be leaving for Boston soon, I wanted her to have Gryff. Another reason to come back, even if it ends up being for the wrong reasons.
No matter what I do, I can’t wipe the stupid grin off my damn face right now. Gryff is smothering me in kisses, and Travis is looking at me like he wants to rip off all my clothes, which is probably accurate. This is Travis, after all.
“Thank you,” I whisper as we both lie on the bed with Gryff sleeping between us. “It’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever given me.”
“Yeah?” He raises a brow. “Feel free to show me just how thankful you are.”
“Sorry, King. There’s a new man in my life now.” I pick up the puppy and set him on my chest.
“I can give you puppy dog eyes and lick your face if that’s what it takes.” He rolls to my side and faces me. “Or if you prefer, I can lick you somewhere else, too.”
I smile at his attempt. “Drew’s going to be home soon, and unless you want him to find me with a puppy in your bed, I have to get up.”
“Well, it wouldn’t be the weirdest thing he’s ever found in my bed.” He flashes a smug smile, and I’m tempted to smack that look right off his face.
“Perhaps it’s a good thing Gryff will be here while I’m gone. He can keep an eye on you,” I say, climbing off his bed. “He’ll be my little spy.”
“You don’t trust me?” He places a hand over his chest and pouts with those sad, pathetic eyes of his.
“I do, it’s the hos I don’t trust,” I say matter-of-factly.
He sits on the edge of his bed and pulls me between them. “You have nothing to worry about, princess. I promise you that. It’s just going to be Gryff and me, waiting until the day you return to us.”
My heart pounds in my chest as the words sit on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t push them out just yet. I love him. I think I’ve always loved him, even when I hated him, but I can’t help feeling scared to say those words aloud. I’m worried if I do, it’ll jinx everything we have going for us so far.
Drew walks in the door thirty minutes later and immediately curses the second he sees the dog run toward him. “Travis?” he calls out, bending down and picking the puppy up. I’m watching him from the living room, but he hasn’t seen me yet. “Did a new roommate move in that I’m unaware of?”
“He’s mine,” I say, bringing his attention to me. “Isn’t he cute?” I smile, hoping he won’t ask a million questions about him, but I know better.
“Yeah, adorable,” he deadpans. “Why’s he in my house?”
“Because he lives here,” Travis chimes in, stalking from the hallway without a shirt on. Dammit. Why is he shirtless?
“Since when?” Drew asks, setting him down and watches as he runs back to me.
“Today,” I answer, picking him up. “Travis gave him to me as a thank-you gift for taking such good care of him. Is it okay that he stays here?” I give him my best pleading look and pout out my lip.
He sighs, setting his gear down on the table. “You’re okay with this?” He directs his question to Travis. “I mean, you basically bought yourself a dog, man.” He shakes his head a little with an amused chuckle.