Page 39 of Dr. Stone

So what if I had a weak-ass moment? Everyone breaks and acts like a clueless idiot sometimes. But I was past that.

The second I found out Titus had whisked her away to one of his VIP resorts on a tropical island, I knew it was time to man up. No more coasting, and I didn’t need Jake or Collin to coach me on that.

The more I thought about Mrs. Kilgore’s daughter trying to rehome Andie’s idea of a perfect pet, the more I knew that was my angle. Titus could flash his money and flex his empire all damn day, but she didn’t seem the type to fall for flash.

This damn dog would seal the deal.

“Is this the little cock-blocker?” Jake questioned, walking into my office.

“Cute little guy, isn’t he?” I said as I hit send on an email to the pharmacy for one of my patients.

“Are you sure you really want to go this route?” Jake said, sitting in a chair across from my desk. “You and Collin decided this without me, and I’m not sure it’s the best idea.”

“Why’s that?” I said, turning to pack up my briefcase. I couldn’t wait to leave and bring this fellow home so I could prepare to surprise Andie with him. “It’s the exact dog she said she liked when I took her to the ER for her son last week.”

Jake stared at me as if I’d completely lost my mind.

He leaned back and crossed his ankle over his knee. “So you’re rolling the dice on a fond memory, and that’s supposed to make magic?”

“If Titus is working for her affections through money and material shit, I’m going for the heart. Being there for her while her son is sick and giving the next best thing to diamonds as a gift? Well, that’s a direct shot to the heart I don’t even need Cupid for.”

Jake chuckled. “So you decided to head down the Hallmark bachelor road, and you’re hoping the lustful, broody billionaire will screw things up?”

“Never saw it that way, but I guess so?”

“You have no idea what you’re doing.”

I laughed. “You’re not the first person to say that,” I stood and shouldered my briefcase, “and I think Andie would probably agree with you.” I unclicked the leash from the chair I had the dog tied to and smiled down at the adorable, beady-eyed little guy. “Your ass better not fail me.”

“What’s the rascal’s name?” Jake said, dropping to one knee to pet him. “Cupcake?”

“It’s Duke.”

“Duke?” Jake laughed. “Who gives a little yappy thing like this a name that big?”

“Maybe they were big fans of John Wayne,” I chuckled.

“That name is killing me,” Jake said. “Such an alpha dog name for this tiny gentleman.”

“Who knows? Maybe Andie will name him something else.”

Jake rose, still amused, and stared at the dog. “Don’t be ridiculous; you can’t rename a dog this age. Besides, something tells me he’s already attached to that badass name as if he were a badass himself. Small dogs can be dicks, you know?”

“Everyone knows that,” I said, never being a fan of small dogs. “But this guy is quiet and cute. I don’t think we’ll need Cesar Millan to work any magic here. I don’t think this pup could hurt a fly.”

“Your first mistake is underestimating the power of a yapping dog. Your second mistake is referring to him as anitor athingright before you hand his dominant ass to your intended girlfriend.”

I rolled my eyes. “If you think this guy is going to give me shit, you’re wrong. He sat on my lap the entire ride back to the office this afternoon.”

Jake shook his head. “Damn, dude. We’ve all been through it, trying to seal the deal with our ladies, but you just asked for hell trying to land your plane on this one.”

“How about this—if it doesn’t work out, and he’s a dick to me like you’re saying, then I’ll give him to you. Oh, and tell Ash thanks again for being cool with Andie bringing him to work with her.”

“Ash thinks it’s adorable. In fact, she thinks this whole idea is cute and charming. I, however, disagree with my wife on the matter.”

“Well, start agreeing with her, because I’d hate for this pup to cause relationship problems for you while helping me secure the one I want.”

Jake folded his arms, smiled, and glanced down. “You going to clean that up?”