Page 108 of The Mystery of the Curiosities

“Keep up the good work.”

I tugged one of my new sweaters on as I left the apartment and headed down the stairs. I pushed the building’s front door open, pausing at the sight of my ever-gorgeous boyfriend. “Cal? What’re you….”

There was a dog on a leash at his side.

No special breed, just a cute-as-hell mutt with a big puppy grin on his face.

Calvin looked down at the dog and then back at me. “Dillon,” he stated. “That’s what the shelter called him, anyway.”

I gave him a look as I walked forward. “Go on,” I prodded. I felt myself smiling, but tried to keep my happiness contained long enough for Calvin to properly explain.

Calvin reached out for my hand. “I’m not… ready for something like an official service dog. It’s too—real for me.” He tightened his hold. “But… I met with a doctor.”

Unexpected. “You did?”

He looked down at Dillon briefly before meeting my gaze again. “She said I have PTSD.”

I nodded.

“Surprise,” he said quietly. “I’m not… sure I’ll go back. At least right away. But….”

Calvin trailed off and I tightened my hold on his hand once more. “But?” I nudged.

“I told her that I only have one goal. To get better for you.” Calvin stared at me before tugging me a bit closer. “Because I want to be the sort of man you deserve.”

“You already—” Him shaking his head cut me off.

“I know that I’m not okay,” Calvin said. “And I love you too much to let that hurt you. So I need to get better.”

I glanced at Dillon, who cocked his head to one side and wagged his tail against the sidewalk. Reaching out, I pet the dog’s head before saying, “Get better forus. Because we’re in this together. Aren’t we?”

And thank God—Calvin smiled. “Yeah, we are.”

“So, where’s Dillon from, if not the K4V program?” I asked, crouching down to rub the dog’s face.

“One of your father’s shelters—Puppy Pals. William helped pick him out.”

I looked back up. So Pop calling in a favor a few weeks back…. He’d been planning to talk to Calvin himself about getting a dog? “You talked to my dad and not me?”

“Don’t be upset.”

“N-No. I’m not.” I honestly wasn’t. So long as Calvin was talking tosomeone, that’s all that mattered. And if it took first a doctor and my father before he had the courage to come to me, so be it. I’d wait forever for Calvin. I just wanted him to feel safe and happy.

Calvin cleared his throat. “I’ve also been thinking about that mailbox.”

I immediately looked up again before standing. “Really?”

“Really,” Calvin agreed. He smiled widely, and I swear his beautiful gray eyes twinkled. “I’ve always liked ampersands.”