#Chapter 36 – A New Pup

“That’s your dog,” I say, my fingers pressed against my temple as the puppy whines in the back seat. The boys fuss over him, fighting over names.

“We are going to call him Lucky,” says Alvin.

“No. Slug!,” says Ian, laughing.

“You are not naming him Slug,” I say, angry, twisting to glare at the boys. “He has to live his whole life with that name.”

“If it’s my dog,” Victor says, smirking, “Then why do you care?”

I roll my eyes, murmuring “Fine, do whatever you want. But have fun explaining to your constituents why their First Dog’s name is Slug.”

Victor nods, considering. “True. Boys! Slug is off the table.” Alvin cheers and Ian moans.

“Seriously, Victor,” I say, turning to him. “I don’t have the time or the energy to take care of what is essentially a third child. The dog stays with you, in your house.”

He laughs softly and nods. “It’s fine, Evelyn – the dog stays with me. I have a full household staff – we can handle it. It’s just a puppy.”

“Just a puppy,” I say, mocking. “That’s what you thought when you brought these two home,” I gesture over my shoulder with my thumb, “and then called me in a panic saying they were wrecking your house.”

“Ah, that was just first-night jitters. We figured it out.”

With that, we pull into Victor’s driveway just as the sun is starting to set. “Mama, can we stay and have dinner with the doggie? I want to eat out of a bowl on the floor with him!” Victor says, clutching the poor creature to his chest as we walk up the driveway.

“Whatever you want, Ian,” I say, smiling graciously at him. “Stay with the dog in your dad’s house as long as you want.”

“I want to stay too! I want puppy chow!” Alvin says, trying to grab the dog from his brother. Poor pup!, I think as it looks at me with wide eyes. But also, not my problem.

When I come in the door, I see Victor standing by the kitchen island reading a note.

“What’d you get?” I ask, moving to the fridge to grab a cold bottle of water.

“Note from Amelia,” Victor says, looking off into the distance.

“Oh?” I say, studying his face. He’s suddenly glum after being so cheerful all day. “Is everything okay?”

“She’s off to Milan,” he says, shaking his head. “For a couple of days with her girlfriends. Says she needs to ‘get some space.’”

I grimace as I twist open my bottle’s cap. “Guess it’s a good thing she wasn’t here for the arrival of the puppy. Might have sent her overboard.”

the frustration on his face. “Okay,” I say, deciding to leave him to it. “I’m going to check

and smiling at them. “You’re going to

at me, too distracted by the pup that

a string

“No,” Alvin says, “Merlin.”

lightly and watch them for a few more minutes before sneaking out. As I go, I feel my phone buzz in my

Evelyn, we just got a call from your client asking for an impromptu meeting. He says you didn’t pick up. Would you

I think, and hurriedly

few minutes to set up.

me back a thumbs-up emoji and I

stowing my

he says, running a worried hand through his hair. “Are the boys in there with

“Please don’t

“No promises,” he

as I head out

dialing the line at the office that connects directly to Victor’s cell. It rings several times before

His mechanized voice sounds a

for missing your call earlier. Do you have a moment

this unscheduled appointment. I’m just…having a bit of an issue with my

in amongst the boots

to Milan. She didn’t even tell me about it – just took off while I was out for the day

“Can you tell me in more detail

her reason for needing a break. I’m

priorities. She wants freedom and fun, whereas you

he says, after a

be on your page?”

he says,

laughing a little, “that’s unfair, and

used to everyone falling into step with his own

full person,” I say, gently. “You are both whole people in this relationship, with different wants and needs. It sounds to me like every time she tries to express what she wants,

he growls, but I

‘your way or the highway,’ as the saying goes? I wonder how your relationship

the beginning, that we were going to start a family. It seems like

solution is to punish her for taking her space. My advice would actually be to do the opposite. Call her and let her know you hope she’s having fun, send some flowers

just encourage her to

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255