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Round hazel eyes blink up at me, and I have to put down ht in the gut How could I possibly say no to that face?

“I… well, I don’t knoeetie” Shit I can’t get a dog without talking to Ruby Why a this way? Why does Ruby’s opinion matter so much to me? “We need to do a little research first Be sure nobody’s allergic”

“Like Ruby can’t drink milk?”

“Yes—just like that Are you finished?” She nods, and I quickly pick up the plates, shoving everything into the basket I’m ready to find her absentee nanny “Carry your milk”

Lillie takes off ahead of s have changed around here I’ve watched their paintings get more detailed until I assu to tell her how much I like theone without a word each time

When we find her on the patio, e of desire rises into feel like this when I saw her again I’ it’s been since I’ve touched a woman Four years…

“Ruby! Daddy said we have to talk to you about the puppy!”

When she looks up, I swear, it’s al black pants and an oversized white shirt I assu hair is up in a ponytail, and she looks like fresh air and sunshine and everything good I want to go to her, pull her into ain

Her cheeks flush when she sees hter “Why did he say that?”

“He said youso loud, and I can tell she’s excited I’ to be hard

“I’m not” Ruby looks up at me as I walk to them She quickly picks up one of hter

“I told her we needed to do sohtly Is she nervous? I want to cover those hands with mine and tell her she has no reason to be I never want to hurt her

“Your daddy’s right, Lil We need to do soic”

“A!” Lillie mixes a whine with a little stoloves

Reaching out, I give“I never told you I love your cat suit”