Page 16 of Unscripted Love

“That’s a wrap,” Scotty called out.

“What?” I asked. “We didn’t pose yet.”

“Sometimes the perfect pose happens naturally, and it’s dropped in your lap like a gift.” Scotty walked over and showed me a picture on his camera. “See what I mean?” In the photo, Otis had curled into a tight ball on Sadie’s back while Sadie looked up into my smiling face.

“Oh, that’s a great picture. I’d like to have a framed copy of that for my desk,” I told the photographer.

“I’ll email an edited version to you so you can have prints made,” Scotty said as he began packing up his equipment.

“That sounds great. Thank you.” I turned to Katie and said, “I’m really happy that I agreed to do the calendar. It was a lot of fun, and I found some new best friends.”

“Thank you so much, Dr. Vaughn. I know this calendar is going to be a big hit and I’m positive that Sadie and Otis will be amazing companions for you and your future family.” Katie clipped the leash back onto Sadie’s collar and scooped up Otis in her arms. “Come on, Sadie girl,” she said, tugging gently on the leash. Sadie didn’t budge from my lap. Instead, she made herself as heavy as she could against my leg.

I looked down into the face of the dog who stole my heart in seconds. “Okay, girl. You can come shopping with me at Brook’s. You can help me pick out stuff for your brother too.” I held out my hand for the leash, and Katie handed it to me.

“I’ll be by to get my cat as soon as we’re finished,” I told Katie.

“No problem. We’ll be waiting for you, won’t we, Otis?”

Meow.

“You want some help at the pet store?” Chaz asked.

I figured I could handle it on my own, but I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him yet. “I would appreciate that.”

Chaz followed Sadie and me to the store rather than leave his car at the lake. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to buy, so I bought a little of everything.

“You don’t think this six-foot cat jungle gym is a bit much for a tiny kitten?” Chaz asked as he looked at the display model at the store.

“He won’t be little for long,” I replied. “Besides, it’s a scratch post and a jungle gym.”

“You’re the expert,” Chaz told me.

He helped me load my purchases into the bed of my truck then knelt down in front of Sadie. “You’re one lucky girl,” he told her. “Did you see that big fluffy bed he bought you, Sadie girl? And the treats and the toys?” Sadie barked in response. “She’s smartandbeautiful,” Chaz said, smiling up at me.

“Of course,” I said proudly. “Do you want to come over and hang out with us?”

The smile slid from Chaz’s face as he rose to his feet. “I wish I could, but I have plans tonight.”

“Oh,” I said, not bothering to hide the disappointment in my voice. A thought occurred to me, and I asked, “Do your plans involve Beefcake Andy?”

Chaz threw his head back and laughed like it was the craziest thing he’d ever heard. “Definitely not. They’re solo plans, but I can’t put them off any longer.”

“Oh, I’m sorry if I messed up your day when I called you.”

“You didn’t,” Chaz assured me. “I had a great day, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

“Thank you for coming,” I said softly.

“That’s what he said,” Chaz replied with a wink.

“Not yet,” I said to him as he walked away.

“Good one, Dr. D,” he said affectionately.

I looked down at Sadie who looked like she was smiling at Chaz. “Yeah, I like him too, girl. What do you say we go pick up your brother?” I held open the passenger door of my truck for her, and she jumped inside.

The day was nothing as I expected and far better than I could’ve imagined. I spent my Saturday night getting my new pets acclimated to their new environment while wondering what my next step should be with Chaz. I just hoped it involved the feel of his lips against mine once more. Then I realized that hoping and wishing wasn’t getting me what I wanted. I wanted him; he wanted me. It was time I stepped up my game and did something about it. I just needed to find the right moment—one where we weren’t surrounded by people or had a chance to get interrupted.