Page 39 of Lucky Mother Pucker

Lucy

Istare at Leo, confused. “What?”

He grabs our empty plates and sets them in the sink. “We’re getting your dog back. Today.”

“I told you. I can’t get Wally yet. I don’t have my own place.”

He turns to me. “You can use my place.”

He’s got to be kidding. But he just stands there, looking at me. Wait, is he serious?

“Leo, what are you talking about?”

“You said the shelter won’t let you adopt him without an address to give them as your place of residence, right? So just use mine.”

My mouth falls open. “Leo, no. I can’t ask you to do that. It’s too much.”

He rests his hands on his hips, his gaze on me sharpening. It’s such a power stance, even though I’m not sure he meant for it to be.

He’s just so big. And tall. And broad. And strong. He has such a commanding presence, but it’s not intimidating. More like quietly powerful.

I swallow hard.

“You’re not asking, Lucy. I’m offering.”

I don’t say anything. I’m too taken aback at how generous he is. Who is this guy? This rich college hockey player who goes around doing good deeds for people he barely knows?

“Leo, I can’t. Even if I use your address to get him out of the shelter, I could still get in trouble for having him live in my car with me.”

“He can stay here then,” he says, like it’s no big deal. “You can leave him here whenever you need to. I’ll watch him. Or one of my roommates will. Or their girlfriends will.”

I stare at him. “Would they be okay with you doing that? You haven’t even asked them yet.”

“It’s fine. I promise.”

I don’t say anything. I still can’t believe this is happening.

“Lucy.”

I soften instantly at the way he says my name. It’s low and rough and makes my skin tingle.

I hesitate. “People don’t do this.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not used to people offering to help me for nothing in exchange.”

His thick throat bobs as he swallows hard. “I don’t want anything from you, Lucy. I just want to help you. Will you please let me?”

Normally, I’d say no. Because I know how ugly people can be. I’ve been on my own long enough to know that when most people offer to help you, it’s not out of the goodness of their hearts. They want something in exchange. They want to take advantage of you or screw you over…

But that uneasy feeling I get around people like that is nowhere to be found right now, not when I’m with Leo.

There’s something about this guy. He lets his friends live in his house rent-free. He always tips a lot of money. He helps a total stranger without a second thought.

But it’s more than just his generosity. I can’t explain it…but deep down, in my gut, I know he’s not like everyone else. He’s different. He really cares. I think I can trust him.

I let out a breath, feeling lighter and more hopeful than I’ve felt in a long, long time. “Okay. Let’s go get Wally.”