Page 51 of Pretty Poison

“Why not? You love dogs.”

“I did until I met Snickerdoodle.”

Asher scoffed. “He was just doing his job like a good boy. You can’t take it personally.”

Snickerdoodle was a beautiful dog, and under different circumstances, Rocky would’ve loved to rub his belly like all the others had. Even though the dog destroyed his favorite pair of jeans, Rocky couldn’t hold a grudge. That didn’t mean he was ready to be responsible for a dog of his own. “I work so much it wouldn’t be fair.”

“You could hire someone to walk him during the day when you’re at work or use a doggy daycare.”

“Sounds simple enough, but I work a lot of evenings too.”

“So put him through personal protection training and take him with you,” Asher said.

That was one option Rocky hadn’t thought of, but it made sense. Rather than admit it, he said, “You assume I’d want a male dog, huh?”

“Nope. I just refuse to use the word ‘it’ to refer to a living thing. From now on, I’ll usesheandherwhen referring to our—your—future dog.”

Rocky nearly choked on his next bite. Christ, Asher never relented.

“A German shepherd would make a great personal protection dog. They’re smart, fierce, and very loyal. I think you should name her something super girlie like Fifi.”

“Fifi?” Rocky asked. “No fucking way. She’d hate us—me.” Great, now he was doing it too.

“No one would expect a badass dog to answer to such a harmless name.”

“No way,” Rocky said again.

“Fine. We’ll pick something a little edgier.”

Rocky was about to remind him that there was no “we,” and they wouldn’t be owning a dog together, but his phone rang. He checked the caller ID and saw it was Peter. His breath caught in his throat as dozens of possibilities raced through his mind.

“Ford?” Asher asked as the phone rang for the third time.

Rocky shook himself free of the fear clawing at him and answered the phone. “Hey, Peter,” he said. “How’s everything going?”

“We have a baby girl!” Pete said proudly. “Seven pounds eight ounces of amazingness. We named her Skylar Rose.”

“That’s wonderful news. Congratulations, Peter. How’s Shelly?”

“Exhausted but otherwise doing great. She’s a badass, my wife.”

“She is,” Rocky agreed. “Give her my love and send me some pictures of Skylar Rose. I can’t wait to meet her.”

“Will do. How’d it go with Lillian Travers?”

“No business talk,” Rocky said. “Everything is handled at the agency, including a successful meeting with Lillian. I really like her.”

“Good. Okay, I’ll relax.”

“You’ll try,” Rocky corrected. In the background, Rocky heard the soft cries of a newborn baby. “Sounds like your little miss needs her daddy’s attention right now.”

“Holy shit, I’m a father.”

Rocky laughed. “Yes, you are, and you’ll be a great one.”

“Thanks, Rocky.”

“Talk to you soon.”