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It was true that Hannah had been factoring into his thoughts the last few days, and he actually couldn’t wait to see her tonight at the ball. It was stupid, and he’d never admit it to the other guys, but for the first time in a long while, he had something to look forward to.

HANNAH DROVE MILO over to her parents’ place that afternoon, carrying him up to the door. His nose and legs were healing nicely, and the fur was even starting to come back. She’d bought him a blue paisley harness and matching leash, but it was just easier to haul him around.

Besides, she loved to snuggle his warm body against her, and pretty soon, he would be too big to lift.

Hannah rang the bell, and her mom answered the door, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she smiled brightly.

“Ah, my little grand puppy. Are you ready to play with Grandma, Papa, and Uncle Miggons?”

Uncle Miggons apparently adored Milo and whined when he left. Her mother stepped back and Hannah said dryly, “Nice to see you, too, Mom.”

“I was going to greet you,” her mom assured her, giving her and Milo a squeeze as they passed. Hannah put Milo down and unclipped his leash just as Miggons skidded around the corner, looking very dapper in his recent lion cut and festive Valentine’s Day sweater.

Excited barks erupted from the tiny fluff ball, and Milo lifted a huge yellow paw in greeting as the Pom attacked and ran away, encouraging the pup to give chase with several high-pitched yips.

Milo took off, and she heard her dad shouting about noise and chaos from the living room.

“Well, come in and say hi to your father. What time is your dance?” her mom asked.

“It starts at eight. Nicki hired a limo to drop us off and pick us up.”

“Is it just the two of you going then? A limo is awfully expensive for just two people.”

Hannah had thought so, too, but then she’d found out that they were part of a larger group sharing the limo. “Actually, there are about seven of us sharing it, so it won’t be so bad.”

Her mother frowned, her gaze lit with obvious concern. “Just be sure not to drink too much. Even in a group of friends, it’s not safe to be impaired. I was watching ID network last night—”

“No, no ID network. Please! Please!”

Her mother huffed, but her lips twitched at the corners. “Fine, don’t listen to your mother.”

“Believe me, Mom, I’m familiar with rape culture. Never accept a drink from anyone, except the bartender. Never walk alone after dark, and always be aware of my surroundings. Plus, I took a self-defense class and I learned—”

“Oh, I’ve been wanting to take one of those! How was it?”

Good until the rejection and friend speech.

“Really good. I’ll have to show you a few things sometime.”

“Are you two hens going to just stay in the hallway clucking, or are you going to say hi to your old man?” her dad hollered.

Hannah laughed as she followed the sound of her dad’s booming voice. She found him sitting in his favorite chair, his large frame folded over. Her father was six foot six with glasses, and she could still remember riding on those shoulders as a child and feeling as if she was on top of the world.

“Hey, Daddy.” She bent over and gave him a kiss. “Did you miss me?”

“Always, Princess.” His bushy brows lowered over his eyes, and he grunted. “I did not miss the chaos little Milo brings, however.”

As if on cue, Miggins raced into the living room and bounded onto her father’s lap, barking furiously at Milo, who tried to jump up, too, and ended up falling onto his back, his paws up in the air. Seeing an opening, Miggins pounced onto Milo’s exposed stomach, nipping and retreating as Milo wiggled on his back and lazily tried to bite the other dog.

“See? Troublemaker.” Her dad bent over and picked Milo up, holding the puppy’s forehead to his. “Who’s a bad puppy?”

Listening to her father’s booming voice become a high-pitched baby voice sent Hannah into hysterical giggles. “You love him.”

“Nope. He is an ugly little monster.”

Hannah didn’t believe him for a minute. “Well, I’ll pick up the little monster in the morning, since the ball isn’t over until late.”

“Ball, ha. You just be careful, Cinderella. I don’t know if your mother told you, but last night on ID network—”