Page 90 of Breaking

Jenna had arranged a birthday party for Troy. All the kids-Lilly, Max, Dylan, Dani, Josh (Lilly's boyfriend), and Oliver-were there. Even Mack had come, deep in conversation with Troy. "No talking shop, you two," Jenna warned.

Dinner was a feast of all of Troy's favourites-succulent grilled steak, buttery mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and garlic butter prawns.For dessert, she had baked a pistachio cake with rose cream, a combination of two flavours she knew he loved but had never had together before.

As he took his first bite, Troy's eyes widened. "This is incredible."

Jenna grinned. "Thought you'd like it."

The presents were mostly electronics-a new VR headset, PS4 games, and a high-end set of wireless earbuds. Jenna, however, hadn't given him anything yet.

"Where's yours?" Troy asked, raising his brows.

"It's a surprise," Jenna said, her voice lilting. "I left it in your house."

A collective "Ooooh" went up around the room, followed by a chorus of teasing comments.

"Is it lingerie? It's lingerie, isn't it?"

"Maybe it's a romantic scavenger hunt."

"I hope it's not another VR game, or we'll never see him again."

"Jenna, are you ready to unleash the Kraken?"

Troy's eyes locked onto hers, the hazel darker with curiosity and anticipation. Later, when the kids had gone to bed and the house was quiet, he whispered, "Can we have a sleepover?"

Jenna's expression melted into a mysterious smile. "I still have to give you my present."

Mack, Josh, and Max had gone out for a beer, all not surprised when Troy declined, citing "Jenna's surprise." Troy was not a big fan of crowded places anyway. Instead, they slipped next door, Troy pulling Jenna toward him the moment they were inside.

His hands slid over her waist. "Is my surprise under these?" he teased, slipping his fingers beneath the hem of her shirt.

She laughed. "No. Come with me."

Leading him to the downstairs bathroom, she turned. "Now close your eyes."

Troy eyed her warily. "I hope this isn't a prank."

"Close your eyes," she ordered.

He heard the door creak open, then Jenna's muttered, "Oh, shit."

His eyes snapped open to find a very miserable-looking puppy sitting in the bathroom, the floor a mess. He had overturned his food bowl and water bowl and shat himself and now the disgusting mixture was all over the bathroom. And all over him.

Jenna looked stricken. "I wanted it to be perfect."

The puppy whined, looking utterly pathetic. Jenna wasted no time scooping him up and bringing him into the shower cubicle. When she finally wrapped him in a towel and held him up, he wriggled in her grasp. She then proceeded to clean up the bathroom.

"He is a Cane Corso and be warned, he is going to be massive. I haven't named him yet," she murmured.

Troy's eyes were bright, a softness in his gaze. "I always wanted a dog called Hunter. "

Jenna nodded. "Then Hunter he is."

Troy grinned, cuddling the puppy-then froze. His eyes landed on Jenna's hand.

"You put your rings back on."

She hesitated before nodding. "Yes, I did. I took them out of your wallet last night."