Page 59 of Men or Paws

“Thank you,” I said, mournfully.

“And why are you crying?” Rocco said. “Trixie is happy and healthy, that’s what matters most.”

I don’t know what came over me at that moment, but I lunged forward and wrapped my arms around Rocco, hugging him with everything I had. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

He must have been shocked because he wasn’t moving, wasn’t hugging me back. I wanted him to latch hold of me as if his life depended on it, unable to help himself either.

Nothing.

I was just about to let go when he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me even closer. “There’s no reason for you to apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

I would be lying if I said it didn’t feel wonderful in his arms.

And the man’s scent was going to drive me insane.

I finally pushed away when I started thinking of our little episode on the couch and how much I enjoyed it.

“Sorry for getting all emotional,” I said. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“I preferred you when you were crabby,” Rocco said. “So, if you could just go back to that, I would greatly appreciate it.”

I sniffed. “I have no reason to be crabby anymore.”

“Sure you do. I’m still the reason you got you fired, even though it wasn’t my intention for that to happen. I’m very sorry about that.”

His sincere apology got to me and the waterworks started, albeit a little more slowly.

“The reason I got fired was because the restaurant manager was an idiot,” I said. “He had always told me there were no exceptions on the no-changes-no-substitutions policy. Then he got all over me for not making an exception for you and fired me.”

Rocco sighed. “If I had known it would have been such a big ordeal, I would’ve stopped at El Pollo Loco on the way home instead of ordering from you.”

I sniffed and wiped my eyes again. “Yeah, right. Rocco Romano going through the El Pollo Loco drive-thru in his Maserati.”

“Well, I didn’t have the Maserati back then, but it could have been Mr. Bean’s car.”

“I don’t see that happening either,” I said.

Rocco grinned. “You never know—anything can happen in life. Anyway, are we good now?”

I nodded and we locked gazes. “Yup, we’re good. I’m glad we cleared the air.”

“Yeah . . . me, too.” Rocco thought about it. “And I’m going to compensate you for your lost wages in between jobs. Just tell me how much money you lost during that time and I will double it and cut you a check.”

“No—you will not,” I said. “It was meant to be, obviously.”

He cocked his head to the side. “How do you figure that?”

I shrugged. “Sometimes the most disappointing things in life are exactly what we need to send us down a different path toward our destiny.”

“You believe that?” Rocco said.

“Absolutely. I got fired for not wanting to make the food for you, but if I had known the reason why you wanted it prepared that way before you asked for the manager, I would’ve made it for you anyway, which would’ve gotten me fired. Either way, it appears that I was supposed to lose my job that day for some reason. Most likely to get me thinking about starting my own business.”

Rocco nodded. “Interesting perspective. Well, since everything is seemingly connected, I guess it’s destiny that you’re watching my dog and staying in my guesthouse.”

“Of course,” I said.

Rocco gave me a cocky grin. “We had to meet.”