Joss
The sudden warmth on my chest could not be good. I glanced down at the German shepherd puppy in my arms.
“Really? You just peed ten minutes ago.”
She looked up at me, then licked my chin.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” I muttered as I found the key to Carson’s apartment on my keychain.
As soon as I stepped inside and relocked the door, I set the puppy down and went into Carson’s bedroom to find myself a dry T-shirt. I grabbed the first one I saw in a pile of folded laundry, which was a faded gray army football shirt.
I’d just gotten the shirt on and put my wet one in the laundry when I heard a high-pitched yipping. When I got out to Carson’s living room, the puppy was pawing at a lamp cord.
Laughing, I scooped her into my arms. “I think he’s gonna love you. What are we gonna call you, though, little lady?”
Since Carson had mentioned wanting a German shepherd, I’d been thinking about surprising him with one. When he’d left my place this morning to go to the gym, I’d gone to pick the puppy up. I’d had a story prepared about meeting Hattie for brunch and shopping, and then I hadn’t even needed it.
The supplies had been stashed in my trunk for a couple of days—food, a leash, a crate, and several toys and chew bones. I’d gone a little crazy shopping, picking up several cute blankets and collars, too. It had given me a little baby fever, as did cradling the soft, warm puppy in my arms right now.
From the text Carson had sent me forty-five minutes ago, I knew he’d be home any minute now. He’d gone grocery shopping so he could cook me dinner tonight.
I sat down on the couch with the pup and snuggled her. She was wiggly and full of energy. We’d have to walk her daily. I’d already thought it through. When we got home from work in the morning, it would be the perfect time to walk her.
Even though I was sure Carson would be happy about the dog, I was still nervous. I was hoping she could be “our” dog, not just his, and I wanted him to want that, too. Had I been wrong to make this big decision without asking him first?
The puppy wanted to play, so I put her on the floor and looked for something to entertain her. Within a few seconds, she’d pounced on a pair of Carson’s shoes, dragging one across the floor by the shoestrings.
“You little troublemaker.” I laughed and tugged the shoe away.
She immediately went for the other one, and I scooped her back into my arms. I was about to take her into the bathroom with me so I could pee without worrying about what she’d get into when three sharp knocks sounded on the door.
The puppy gave a high bark, her tail swishing with excitement.
I furrowed my brow, trying to decide if I should answer it. Since I didn’t live here, it definitely wasn’t someone looking for me. But I figured I could pass a message on to Carson.
Maybe it was Carson, knocking because his arms were full of groceries and he couldn’t open the door. I cradled the puppy in one arm, unlocked the door, and opened it.
A handsome middle-aged man grinned at me. He was tall, his dark hair speckled with silver. When he pulled off his sunglasses, I saw that his eyes looked older than the rest of him. He had dark circles beneath his bloodshot eyes, and the corners were creased with crow’s feet.
“Hi there,” he said, giving me a long once-over. “Carson around?”
“No, but he’ll be back any minute.”
The puppy barked happily, and the man reached out to rub her head. He smiled at me again. “You his girl?”
“I am. Can I give him a message?”
“I’ll just wait.”
I shifted my weight to my other hip, uncomfortable with that idea.
“Is he expecting you?” I asked.
He shrugged. “Not really. I’m his father, though, so I’m sure he’ll want to see me.” He flashed another charming grin at me, then extended his hand. “Josh Stephens.”
My discomfort turned into anger as that set in. Who the hell did he think he was, showing up here? Carson had been clear on the phone the other night.
“What’s your name, darlin’?” he asked.
“You need to leave.”
He balked at that, knitting his brows together in confusion. “I don’t think that’s your call to make. Why don’t I just come in and—”
“Why don’t you get the hell out of here instead?” I clutched the puppy tighter. “He doesn’t want to see you. He’s not giving you money.”
Josh narrowed his eyes. “That’s between me and him.”
Fear tingled down my spine. I was pissing him off, which probably wasn’t wise. If he pushed past me to get into the apartment, I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
But my anger was stronger than my fear. I couldn’t forget the look on Carson’s face the other night when his father called or the hurt in his voice as he’d told me about him.
“He’s a good man,” I said, holding Josh’s gaze. “Nothing like you. I love him, and we’re happy. If you want to finally do something nice for him, leave him alone.”
“Listen here,” Josh said gruffly. “I care about my son. I’m not—”
I cut in. “Are you here to ask him for money?”
Our eyes remained locked as a few seconds of silence passed.
“Yes or no?” I asked sharply.
He exhaled deeply. “I don’t know who you think you are, but—”
“I’ll clear it up, then. I’m his partner in life. The woman who loves him more than anything. I’d walk into traffic for him. I’d give him anything he needed. His happiness means everything to me. And he’d do the same for me. That’s not who I think I am; it’s who I am.”
Tension crackled in the air between us for a few seconds.
“You want me to go, huh?” he finally said.
“I think I made it pretty clear.”
He shook his head. “Damn, you’re a spitfire.”
“Go. I won’t mention to him that you were here.”
“I’ll consider it.” Josh gave me a calculating smile. “But what are you gonna give me to get rid of me?”
My cheeks flushed with indignation. “What will I give you? I’m not giving you a damn thing. Get the hell out of here, or I’m calling the police.”
The puppy wiggled in my arms, and I adjusted her. Josh scoffed and rubbed his scruffy chin.
“And tellin’ ’em what, exactly? That I came to see my son and you don’t want me to? You don’t live here, Jocelyn.”
I scowled at him. “How do you know my name?”
“I still know some of Carson’s old friends. I’ve heard about you. My son’s hot doctor girlfriend. You can sure as hell afford to make me go away if you want to.”
This guy was a piece of work, just as Carson had said. I was too disgusted to look at him any longer.
“Fine, stay,” I said, putting a hand on the door to close it. “But he’s gonna tell you the same thing I did when he gets here.”
Josh put his palm on the front of the door, preventing me from closing it. My heart raced with fear, but I tried not to let it show.
“A few hundred bucks, and I’ll be gone,” he said in a low tone.
“Go to hell.”
He pushed on the door, and I braced myself, preparing to put down the puppy and fight him as best I could if needed. But a dark figure descended on him, shoving him out of the doorway.
“Get away from her.”
It was Carson, his gaze dark and his tone furious as he shoved his father’s back against the outside wall of his apartment.
“Come on.” Josh put his hands in the air, his breathing hard. “I came a long way. At least let your old man in for a drink.”
“You’re a real piece of shit.” Carson shook his head and leaned closer to him. “Don’t you ever come near her again. Not ever. You don’t get to look at her or speak to her or even be in the same room with her.”
Josh scoffed. “This hotshot doctor got you thinkin’ you’re hot shit, too, boy? You ain’t nothin’.”
“I’m more than you ever were.” Carson’s tone was laced with bitterness. “Now fuck off and be glad I got here before you got any closer to her.”
Carson met my gaze then, and I stepped back from the doorway so he could walk through it. He closed the door behind him, locked it, and leaned his back against it, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly.
He opened his eyes. “For what, babe? You were great.”
“That he’s here. That it bothers you. He doesn’t deserve you for a son.”
His shoulders fell as he relaxed. “Thanks. I’m more bothered by seeing him try to come in here than anything.” He lowered his brows in question. “Whose dog is that?”
“Oh.” I looked down at the squirming puppy in my arms. “Surprise,” I said weakly.
“For me?” His expression softened. “You got me a dog?”
“Yeah. Or . . . I got us a dog, I guess. I want to help you with her. We can keep her at my place or yours, whichever you want, and just stay there after work.”
He stepped closer to me and took my face in his hands, kissing me gently. “Thank you, Joss.”
The love and gratitude in his tone warmed me from head to toe. “You’re welcome.” I smiled against his lips. “And . . . it’s a girl!”
He pulled back to get a look at the pup, grinning. “She’s a beauty.”
I passed her into his arms, rolling my eyes at the wet spot on the T-shirt I was wearing.
“I’m gonna go change . . . again,” I said.
Carson laughed softly. “I’ll take her out to potty in a minute.”
He probably wanted to make sure his father was gone before going outside again. I didn’t blame him.
I grabbed the top T-shirt from the stack of clean ones on his dresser, and as I changed into it, I heard him cooing softly to the dog. This was the guy who wasn’t sure he’d be a good dad?
I’d meant what I said to Carson’s father. Every word. Carson was nothing like him, and he was my everything. Even if our little family was only me, him, and our new puppy, it was that to me—my family. And there was nothing I wouldn’t do to protect it.