Page 28 of The Wedding Planner's Manny

I truly did.

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R H Y S

Three days after I found the dog in the studio, Ethan found him as well. I entered the house on a Friday afternoon to a shouting match going on between father and son.

“I can't believe you did this without talking to me about it!” Ethan raged at his twelve-year-old son, who was clutching a wide-eyed puppy to his chest.

Nathan's scowl deepened. “I would have told you if you weren't so mean!”

“I'm mean? I've obviously been far too nice up until now because nothing I do gets through to you!”

Awkwardly, I cleared my throat just to let everyone know I was around. Both Ethan's and Nathan's eyes snapped to me.

“Did you know he was hiding a puppy?” Ethan asked.

“I, uh...”

“He didn't know! No one knew!” Nathan claimed, just as he’d promised he would. Deep down, he really wasn't a bad kid, was he? Just a troubled kid. I couldn't let him take all the heat.

“I knew,” I admitted.

“And you didn't tell me?”

“I'm sorry. Nathan and I had a deal. He had to get rid of the dog or tell you about it by the end of the week. I figured he'd tell you.”

“Yeah, well, I was told by stepping into dog poo,” Ethan informed me, before glaring at his son. “You can't keep a dog and not walk it!”

“I was grounded!”

“There's no excuse for treating an animal that way! You should have thought about that before bringing him here.”

“But—”

“No.” Ethan held up a hand. “I'm done talking to you for now. Give me the dog.”

Nathan took a step back. “What are you going to do with him?”

“I'm going to walk him.”

“We don't have a leash,” Nathan pointed out.

“I'll figure something out,” Ethan said, patience obviously wearing thin. “And you're going to watch your little brother for half an hour because Rhys is coming with me.”

I gulped. Was I in trouble now? It was hard to feel intimidated by Ethan, though, when Nathan gave him the puppy and the little guy licked Ethan's face and Ethan let it happen. The image was enough to remind me of Ethan's inherent kindness. I wasn't in trouble, and even if I was, it wouldn't be too bad.

Then again, my ex had appeared kind too at first, until he lost his temper and revealed his true colors.

Ethan stroked the dog's fur until the little one started wagging his tail, giving a tiny bark. “What do you say we take you outside?” Ethan muttered at him. Then he glanced at me. “You coming?”

There was no anger in his voice, so I nodded.

Once we were outside, Ethan exhaled audibly. “I'm gonna have to deep clean the studio later. Or better yet, make him do it.”

“I'm sorry for not telling you immediately. I should have.” But I'd kind of fallen in love with the little dog who watched the world with curious eyes from his safe seat in Ethan's arms.

“Don't worry about it.” Ethan's tone implied that he wasn't super happy with me, but he wasn't mad either. I was going to take that for now. “Nathan's hated all the nannies that came before you, but for some reason he trusts you now. It's a huge thing for him, and in a way, I'm glad you didn't mess it up.