Page 94 of Not Until I Found You

He shakes his head, still chuckling as he tucks the Ensure beneath one arm, right as Sven barrels between us like he’s waited long enough. He jumps and gives me his version of a hug, his paws pressing into my leg as he holds on and waits for me to give him a pat. He lets out a little sigh as soon as my fingers scratch behind his ear. I never would’ve guessed that a dog could’ve stolen my heart the way Sven has.

“I told you he was trying to steal you away from me.” Zane chuckles, giving his dog a pat on the head. “I wanted to hug you first.”

I grin, biting my lip, absolutely loving that these two are fighting over me. It’s adorable. “Alright, Sven, you have to share me. It’s time for Zane to get some love.”

I give Sven a gentle tug, encouraging him to release his hold on me, but he doesn’t budge. Zane snaps his fingers, and with a loud grunt, Sven finally moves back down onto the porch. The attitude of this dog is unreal.

“Go lie down or chase a squirrel or something,” Zane tells Sven, who follows where he’s pointing and rushes into the yard.

I press my lips together to hide my smile, but it’s no use. Zane turns toward me, taking my hands into his, and tugs me to him. “Come here.”

I place my hands onto his sides as I step into him, his arms wrap around me, and I lean my head onto his firm chest. The sound of his steady heartbeat grounds me in the way I desperately needed. I tilt my head back, and Zane’s gaze drops to my mouth.

When I push up onto my toes, he meets me halfway, and his lips find mine. His hand lifts to my jaw first, his fingers barely grazing my skin. His palm settles warm against the side of my neck as he draws me closer. I feel the exhale he releases against my skin. As we pull apart, his forehead drops to mine. His hand on my neck remains, his thumb tracing absent circles against my skin.

“I could get used to this,” he says with a hint of a smile in his voice.

I sigh. “I was thinking the same thing.”

He scans my face a little closer this time, his brows pulling together. “Are you okay?”

I blink up at him. “Yeah. Why?”

He tips his head, his thumb brushing my cheek. “You look tired.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“I didn’t mean anything bad by it, I promise.”

“I know. I didn’t get much rest last night.”

His hand slips down to catch mine again. “I’m assuming you lost a little sleep over the whole fight with your dad.” He tilts his head, and a crooked grin tugs at his mouth. “Or maybe I got you so flustered you couldn’t stop thinking about me.”

I laugh and give his shoulder a playful shove.

He chuckles, squeezing my hand once. “For the record...I lost sleep too.”

My smile falters just enough for him to notice. The teasing fades between us, replaced by the weight I’ve carried with me since yesterday. I let out a slow breath, my gaze dropping to our joined hands. Saying it out loud somehow makes it real all over again.

“I know I was in the wrong when I blew up at my Dad.”

Even though I understand this, the confession still aches beneath my sternum. Understanding my dad’s limitations doesn’t erase what his absence has done to me. It doesn’t magically make the past stop hurting, and that’s what I’m struggling with.

“I’m not sure where we go from here after what I did.”

I stare down at our joined hands, and his thumb brushes slowly over my knuckles.

“I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

“It’s fine.” I shrug, even though it doesn’t feel fine.

Zane reaches down to grab one of the Ensure drinks, twists the cap loose, and holds it out with a grin. “Maybe this will make you feel better?”

A laugh escapes me. “You really like this old-man drink, huh?”

“Excuse you. This is premium nutrition.”

I take the bottle and eye the label skeptically before taking a cautious sip. The chocolate flavor hits first, thick and creamy, followed by a strange vitamin-like aftertaste that makes me blink.