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Tex shook his head. “It’s not for me. I thought with it sitting there, I could take it and spread it around a few food pantries and shelters in the area. Come on, if they’re just going to leave it to rot in the backyard, it might as well go to good use.”
Ash smiled. “I like that idea. Please, take it. We don’t want it here.”
“Bad fucking mojo on that shit,” I muttered. “We don’t even want it in the house.”
Enzo sighed. “It’s going to be all dirty.”
“I promise you don’t have to touch it.” Tex put Pen in the crate and kissed Enzo quickly. “Let’s go home.”
“We’re heading out,” Enzo announced.
I nodded. As soon as they were gone, I dragged Ash against my body once more. He fit perfectly against me as if he was always meant to be pinned against my body. We pulled away, and I scraped my nails against his scalp.
“Let’s go out back.”
Ash tilted his head. “Why?”
I shrugged. “Just cause.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I swear to god, if it’s something crazy...”
I laughed. “When have I ever done anything crazy?”
“There was that time—”
“Okay, don’t start,” I said as he had his fingers poised and ready to tick off the ways in which I’d been insane. “Just come on.”
“Wait,” he said, digging in his heels as I took his hand and tried to lead him away. “I saw this picture yesterday, and I’ve been meaning to ask you about it.”
I tilted my head. “What picture?”
Ash let go of my hand. I flexed my fingers, already wanting to feel his hand in mine again. Even a second away was a second too long without him. I knew deep down Ash would be the death of me. Not physically, but mentally. I’d always been okay with being independent, or at least that was what I said. With him, it felt like an inferno was raging whenever he was away for too long. I needed to be around him every moment of every day, or I would lose my mind.
“Gin?”
“Yeah.” I shook my head. “Show me this picture.”
I took the folded-up thing from his hand. Opening it carefully, I looked at it and barked out a laugh. My father, mother, me, and Gianpaolo. We were all one big happy family once upon a time. Sitting in front of me was my gorgeous, loving Milo. All golden brown, beautiful with big eyes. Back then, he was the best puppy in the world.
“Ah, man, I miss this dog,” I muttered. “Milo was awesome. I was never lonely when I was with him.”
“What happened?”
I shrugged. “I had him when I was a boy. Eventually, dogs get old. They pass away.” I shrugged again despite the pain that spread in my chest. “I was with him the whole time. Had him for twelve years. Never got another dog after that, though.”
“Why not?”
“For a while, I didn’t want to replace him. Then I got sent away, and when I came back, Benito didn’t think I could handle it. He was kind of right. Back then, I was all over the place. And then I met you. Who needs a puppy when youarea puppy?”
Ash's eyes narrowed. “What?”
“Yeah! I mean, you act just like Milo. Don’t like to be left alone, eager, happy, ready to please. You always get sassy and bark, and you love lying next to me.” I grinned. “And let’s not forget how you wag your tail.”
Ash punched me in the stomach. “You bastard!”
I chuckled, holding in a grunt. “Why do you think I liked you so much from the start? You reminded me of him I think. Best puppy in the world.” I leaned down, kissing his cheek. “Don’t be mad.”
He looked like he was ready to slug me again. “Asshole.”
