Monday was surprisingly slow at the diner, and me and Ivy spent a lot of time reminiscing about the weekend. She was happy I chose to go out with them. And I told her it was the best decision I had made in a while.

As we close the diner, I realize I never saw Easton today. I figured when he said he would see me tomorrow he meant in the morning to get his usual breakfast.

I drive up the hill to my house after making a quick stop at Home Depot for a few more things for the front yard. I notice Easton’s truck in my drive as I pull up. He’s not in the truck and I am pretty sure I locked the house when I left this morning.

I jump out of the cab of the truck and hear him whistling in the backyard. Not like whistling a tune but like he’s calling for something. I am extremely confused so I walk straight to the back gate and stop dead in my tracks.

Easton is throwing a ball to a beautiful German Shepherd Lab mix. But not just any German Shepherd. My German Shepherd. Poe.

I collapse to my knees. Tears falling freely from my eyes. Poe sees me and runs faster than I have ever seen him run toward me. He jumps into my lap knocking me backward. He barks and licks my face and prances around. Every time he lands back in my lap I hold him until he squirms for me to let me go.

How did this happen? How did Easton get him back here? I’m at a loss for words as Poe continues to lick me and cuddle in my arms. He gets bored after a while because he gets up and chases after the ball Easton had thrown earlier.

Easton walks over to me and I wipe the tears from my eyes. Mascara is covering my fingers and probably my entire face. Easton pulls me off the ground and grabs my cheeks, wiping my tears away. I try to form words, but I think I just sound like a blubbering mess.

“Ho-How di-did you…how—?“

“Turns out I can be a bit convincing,” he says as he continues to wipe the tears away.

“But Chicago. You went all the way to Chicago?”

“I had to go take care of something for my sister and she was in Milwaukee.” He pauses. “I felt like such a dick when I blew you off on Wednesday. And I promise I’ll tell you why. Later. But, as I was driving through Chicago, I just knew I had to do this one thing for you.”

He pauses as Poe runs up to us and drops the ball and starts barking. Easton picks it up and throws it far.

He turns back to me. “You’ve looked so miserable the whole time you’ve been here.”

I start to interrupt him, but he holds a finger to my lips. “You’ve been missin’ an important piece of you. Sometimes when I knew you weren’t thinkin’ about everything that happened to you, you would shine. This smile would just light your face and you seemed so at peace.”

He pushes a piece of hair behind my ear and cups my cheek. “Whenever you talked about your dog that smile appeared. And you looked so happy. Like years were taken off your age. And I wanted you to feel that way again. I didn’t—I don’t think I can be the answer to give you that inner peace, but I knew Poe would.”

He finally lets me talk. “But how did you get him from my ex. I mean you don’t even know where we lived.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “Well I may have gone through some of your mail and I saw you had some letters rerouted to here and they had your original address on them.”

“Creeper,” I mutter.

He laughs, and his eyes light up like he is so happy he could bring me this utter joy I feel. “I kinda stalked your ex for a bit and saw him bring the dog to daycare. I had my sister call the daycare center to see if you were on the account still and since you were, she pretended to be you and told them your friend had to pick him up today. You left your cardigan in my truck the other day and I thought it would keep from scaring Poe. He was a bit timid, but when he smelled the sweater, he came right up to me. Then I hightailed it outta there before anyone realized I practically stole a dog.”

I look at him in absolute amazement. This man. This beautiful man who at first, I thought was such a pompous asshole who I let my heart open up to, stole my dog from my ex-husband just to make me happy because he didn’t think he would be enough. My brain couldn’t function at this point. “I can’t believe you stole my dog. You brought him back to me. I—I could kiss you right now.”

Easton smirks. “Then do it.”

I don’t. I don’t know what to do. Part of me wants to rip my clothes off for him, but another part is scared, so scared of what could happen, where this could lead. I don’t think my heart can handle another heartbreak at this point.

He steps closer to me grabbing my cheeks. “Stop thinking Harper. Stop thinking. Just kiss me.”

So I do.

I jump into him, my arms wrapping around his neck as I press my lips against his. And they are soft, so soft. I don’t push too hard because I want to stay in this moment for as long as I can. His smell of grease and sandalwood permeates my nose and drives me to get my body as close to him as possible. He wraps his arms around my waist, one hand moving up and down my back. He tastes like fire. A fire I never want to put out. My body warms from his touch and I open my mouth to his as he pushes his tongue against my lips, seeking entrance. A small moan escapes my lips and he growls, backing me up into the fence. The next thing I realize are my legs wrapped around his waist as he nips and sucks on my neck and ears. “Oh god, Harper. I’ve—I’ve wanted this for too damn long. You’re perfect, just perfect.”

His whispers of admission send chills down my spine as I moan louder when he sucks on the spot just behind my ear that’s always turned me on. I grip his head as I guide his mouth back to mine, running my fingers through his hair, gripping him to me. The passion between us is alive and on fire just like his kisses. I start to grind against his hips when he finally pulls away.

I let my legs fall to the ground, my arms still wrapped around his neck. He gives me tiny kisses all over my face. And slowly exhales, “You’re welcome.”

I snap my head back. “You getting that cocky again?”

He laughs and shakes his head. “No, I meant you’re welcome for Poe.”

I blush with embarrassment thinking he meant the kiss. He grabs my face and kisses me gently, a whisper of a kiss compared to our make-out session. “Go out with me.”

I look at him. His eyes alight with passion.

“Yes.” It’s all I need to say. Because there is no turning back now. I am completely lost in Easton Calloway.