Page 47 of Zombie

“And I got him his heartworm medicine and made sure to book an appointment with the vet for his shots.” She continued to babble while I just looked at the furry creature in my arms. We seemed to be thinking the same thing: She hasn’t taken a breath yet.

We watched as she turned my living room into a puppy room. I placed the dog down on the ground and let him explore, sniffing around his new digs.

“And I’ll help with walking him when you are at work and can bring him to the office with me⁠—"

“Lennie, baby, take a breath,” I said, walking over to her.

She looked up from the bag she was unloading and smiled before taking a much-needed breath. She stood up and embraced me in a tight hug. Her floral scent wrapped around me, soothing my racing mind. The woman I loved had just brought me a dog. What the actual fuck was I going to do with a dog?

I squeezed her back, loving the feeling of her in my arms. I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and heard a sigh of contentment escape her lips. She looked up at me with adoration and love.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome. You’re lucky I love you.” The words spilled out of my mouth, and I instantly regretted them.

THIRTY-FOUR

LENNIE

I looked at Dante with shock and then elation as the words I love you came out of his mouth. A big smile spread on my face while I practically leaped onto him.

I had been nervous to bring Georgy over, but I should have known that Dante wouldn’t let me down. I hugged him tightly while I danced from side to side with happiness. He let out a rare chuckle, only egging on my antics. After a few moments of our embrace, I looked up at him with so much admiration and love that I hoped he could feel it without words.

I looped my arms around his neck while he held onto my waist. Georgy was sniffing everything around us, paying no attention to what we were doing.

“I love you too,” I whispered.

Dante gave me one of his killer smiles before leaning down to press his lips to mine. He deepened the kiss and I let out a needy moan as our tongues began to dance with one another.

As soon as Dante palmed my asscheeks, Georgy went ballistic, barking and zooming through our legs before nipping at Dante’s shoes. The distraction stopped the kiss immediately.

“Hey, stop that, you fucker!” Dante said, annoyed.

But that only seemed to spur Georgy on as he continued to nip at Dante.

I leaned down and plucked the puppy off the ground before he drew blood. I booped his nose. “No biting, Georgy. That’s not nice.” Georgy only tilted his head, making him look cuter. I looked up at Dante and gave him a sheepish grin. “I guess he doesn’t like you touching me.”

Dante crossed his hands over his chest and let out a huff. “Dude is going to have to get over it. You are mine.”

The way he said mine made my knees weak. I loved that he wanted to claim me, and now he had just told me he loved me, which only made my emotions for him heighten. Nothing could bring me down from this high.

THIRTY-FIVE

ZOMBIE

The first few nights with a new puppy in the house was hectic. I had barely slept not only because the little lunatic couldn’t fall asleep without a “bedtime routine.” I was getting ready for the evening, looking forward to a night in, when I received a text from a familiar number.

UNKNOWN:

SOS come to warehouse 9PM tomorrow

Instantly I was on high alert. Sarah was alive. She hadn’t been killed in the blast and was asking for my help, yet again.

When she didn’t get a response from me, a new picture of Ryann crying as Cassie was bound to a chair in a simple kitchen.

UNKNOWN:

If you want what’s best for them you will come tonight, Dante.