Page 55 of Say it Ain’t So

“It was your parents’ house,” I interjected, but Van glared my way.

“My house.”

As if he felt he needed to soothe away the sting of Van’s glare, Rylan started drawing circles on my back again. I peeked at him, but his attention was locked on Van as he continued to speak.

“Patty threw such a raging hissy fit, Dad put his foot down and said no pets.”

“Who is Patty?” Kolton asked.

“The Devil incarnate.”

I rolled my eyes, reaching forward to put a calming hand on Van’s arm. “She’s his stepmom.”

When Van glared at me again, Rylan twirled his finger through my hair, tugging gently as if he was trying to pull me close. When I leaned back in my chair, he ran his fingers through my long locks before brushing a few strands off my neck.

“Either way,” Van continued, his attention blessedly on Kolton and not my heated cheeks, “I’ve always wanted a Rotty. Pretty sure a dog like that would keep the Devil away.”

Both men shifted their attention, and I was glad it went to Rylan and not me. I was even more happy when, with one simple sentence, he brought me up to speed.

“If I could have any pet, I’d choose a Boston terrier.”

“A little yappy thing?” Van’s face pulled into a grimace. “Here I was starting to respect you and you have to go and say that.”

“Little, yes, but not yappy. I met one once and her most annoying trait was the slobber she left all over her favorite tennis ball. She could play fetch for hours and not get worn out.”

Kolton nodded. “Fetch is nice. Golden retrievers play fetch.”

“I bet a Rotty would fetch.”

Rylan gave one of his infuriating smirks. “If you could get him to let go of whatever he’s fetching.” He reached across the table so quickly I jumped, and he grabbed hold of Van’s forearm in a hard grip.

Van laughed as he tried to get away. When he finally did, the three of them turned their attention to me.

“How about you, gorgeous?” Rylan snapped his hand at me like it was a mouth. I let out a yelp of surprise, which had them laughing again.

Straightening in my seat, I tucked my hair behind my ear. “I already have pets.”

“In your apartment?” Kolton asked. “How’d you swing that?”

Van was shaking his head before he finished. “She’s got fish.”

I scoffed. “And shrimp and snails.”

“Those aren’t pets. They’re food.”

With the back of my hand, I slapped Van across the shoulder. He’d said the same thing the first time he came to my place.

“They’re my pets, and I love them.”

He pointed at me, though told Kolton in a mock whisper, “She loves them so I can’t eat them.”

I rolled my eyes at my friend even as I smiled.

“Other than fish,” Rylan said, and I was suddenly aware of how much closer he was than before, “what kind of pet would you get?” His fingers were in my hair again, tugging gently as he caught a snag.

The little hairs on the back of my neck rose and goosebumps peppered my skin. I shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“A golden?” Kolton asked.