Page 13 of A Furry Thing Called Love (Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue #7)
Jordan
“I forgot to ask, how’d your appointment go?”
Arlo takes a moment to answer, watching Eli and Indie play along the shore, before finally saying, “It went good. They went over the results of my last MRI and determined this last relapse, while bad, could have been a lot worse. We’re still going to be cautious for the time being, since the length and progression of symptoms were intense, but I haven’t had any issues since my fall, and while I’m unsteady sometimes, I haven’t had any new or worsening symptoms.”
“So…” I don’t want to steer him any one way, but I know how worried he was about his condition progressing.
“For now, I haven’t been upgraded to Secondary Progressive. It was just a bad relapse, but based on the timeline and symptoms, I think it’s safe to say I’m at least in partial remission now.”
I let out a slow, relieved breath. A change in diagnosis wouldn’t have altered my feelings about him, but I know Arlo. As brave of a face he puts on, he was really worried.
“They suggested I use my crutches more, and I asked how I’m supposed to do that with the cast.” He lifts his arm and waves it around.
“Best I can do is a cane and Eli for the next few weeks. And that’s if my arm even heals properly without needing any further procedures.
The way my life is going, who the fuck knows what will happen once the cast is off and they take another scan. ”
Carefully, I reach out and place a hand on his shoulder. Arlo looks at me, his light-blue eyes dazzling and bright in the late morning sun. “Whatever happens, you’re not alone. You have me, you know that, right?”
“I can’t ask for more than you’ve already given. Hell, you’re training my dog for free as it is. Even though you know I’m good for it.”
“I’d do it for any of my friends, you know that. I don’t want your money, Arlo. Your friendship is enough for me. I…hated how we left things. So for me, this gives me a chance to be part of your life, and that’s enough.”
The air between us is electrified as Arlo leans in a little. The look in his blue eyes, so light and pleading, is familiar, and I’m seconds away from breaking all the rules I set for myself, such as no kissing your fucking ex-turned-friend, when a familiar voice calls out. “Hey, Jordan!”
Sucking in a breath, I raise my head and turn toward the voice. Smiling when I see client-turned-friend Colin and his partner, James, along with their adorable French bulldog, Widget.
“Sorry, we hope we didn’t interrupt anything…” Colin flushes, as if just realizing how close Arlo and I are sitting.
“You didn’t,” I reassure them. “We’re just enjoying some down time. How are you guys doing?”
“Great!” I get a smile. “I think Widget misses you, though.”
I look down at the adorable dog. “Aww, I miss you too.” Looking up at her dads, I ask, “Mind if I say hello?”
“Of course not,” James replies. “She liked you more than us, I think.”
I laugh. “Not true at all, but thanks for the ego boost.” Scooting on my butt in the sand, I move closer, ignoring Millie’s bark, as she apparently thinks I am too close to the stranger.
Holding out my hand, I give Widget a small smile. “Hey, you remember me?” She does the customary snuff-snort of her breed and bounces over, happy to accept pets and coos of how beautiful she is. “How’s she doing?” I look up at Colin and James while still petting the dog.
“She’s been great. A lot of that is thanks to you, of course.”
I roll my eyes. “You give me too much credit. Just a little love and patience, that’s all she needed, isn’t it?”
Widget tries to climb into my lap and Millie barks again, pulling at her lead to get to me.
“Millie, be nice,” Arlo says firmly. “They’re friends.”
“Sorry,” I look back up at James and Colin. “My manners are terrible. This is my friend, Arlo, and his puppy, Millie. Arlo, this is James, Colin, and Widget. I did some training with them when Colin and Widget first moved here. Widget was one of my star pupils.”
Colin laughs. “I’m sure you say that about everyone.”
I shake my head. “Absolutely not. I said before she was one of the smarter pups I’d met, and I meant it. You’re lucky I didn’t add her to my menagerie.”
All three of the humans snort.
Looking at Arlo, I say, “Bring Millie a little closer. I want her to see that Widget isn’t a threat.”
Arlo carefully stands, and I have to bite my tongue to not offer him any help. He doesn’t have any trouble getting up, but that still doesn’t mean I don’t worry.
“Millie is a little older than Widget was when I started working with her. She’s doing great, aren’t you?” I hold my hand out for Millie and she comes closer, a curious look in her eye as she doesn’t stop watching Widget—who’s practically on my lap by now—but allows me to pet her with my free hand.
“I think Indie’s going to get jealous,” I tease. “I have a lap full of pretty girls.”
“Where is Indie?” James asks.
“Over by the water.” I glance over to see what she and Eli are doing. Letting out a low whistle, I call Indie back to me. Eli, being the smitten man he is, follows in her wake without question or complaint.
Indie gives a happy wag of her tail when she sees Widget and her dads, looking at me for my nod and voice of approval. She doesn’t give it a second thought to shower Colin and then James with love.
“Who’s your friend?” Colin asks her, scratching her head and then holding his hand out to Eli.
“That’s Eli. He’s mine,” Arlo says.
James laughs. “It’s sad there has to be clarification, because you never know with Jordan.”
“I hate all of you. I’m not that bad!”
“You were talking about getting chickens not that long ago,” Arlo points out. “So it really is that bad, Jor.”
I sigh and look at my lap full of pups. “You don’t think I’m ridiculous, do you?”
Widget licks my chin in response.
I laugh and wipe my face on my sleeve.
“We should get going,” Colin says. “We don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
“You’re no bother,” Arlo tells him. “It was good to meet you.”
“You, too.” Colin tugs on Widget’s lead. “Come on, let’s go.”
“Goodbye, I’ll come see you soon, okay?” I kiss her head. “If you ever want some socialization, or need a refresher in anything, don’t hesitate to give me a call, okay?”
“We will. Arthur said you were starting up small classes, so maybe we’ll check one out soon,” James replies. “We’ll text you.”
“Sounds good.”
The three of them continue on their walk, and Indie decides now is the perfect time to take up the vacant spot in my lap.
“Oww!” I mock glare at her. “You are not a lap dog. And you’re wet!”
She grins at me, breathing right in my face, not a care in the world.
Arlo laughs, and it’s such an endearing sound that I want to bask in it.
Looking up at him, I smile in response to his carefree grin. My stupid heart gives a lurch, because fucking hell, I am so into this man .
Friends. We’re just friends…