Fake Empire(77)

“A dog?”

“Yep.”

“Why?” Asher asks.

“Scarlett is a sucker for a cute face.”

I roll my eyes. “Whatever, Mr. I’ve Always Wanted A Dog Let’s Buy Out the Whole Pet Store.”

Crew chuckles.

We drive a few more blocks before Teddy wakes up and starts whining. “What do I do?” I ask Crew, as his cries grow louder.

“What did the shelter tell you?”

“Basically nothing. I haven’t read through the whole packet yet, and I left it at home. He already ate.”

“He probably needs a patch of grass,” Asher suggests in a bored tone.

I look at Crew. “Pull over.”

“Here?”

“You want him to go on me?”

Asher laughs as Crew mutters under his breath.

He pulls over in front of a tree surrounded by mulch. “This is the best I can do.”

I work at unclipping all the straps of the car harness I just slid into place.

“Can’t he pee in that?”

“It’s attached to the seatbelt, Sport.”

Asher laughs again. “I get why the press is obsessed with you two. You’re a real riot.”

Both Crew and I ignore him as we struggle with the harness. “This one had the best reviews,” Crew mutters.

“You looked up the reviews?”

Based on the illumination from the streetlights, he looks affronted.

“Of course I did.” Crew keeps fiddling with the harness, petting Teddy as he does. I give up on helping and watch him struggling to free our dog.

I think I love him. It’s a terrifying realization.

“There!”

“You realize we’re going to have to put it back on him, right? Don’t celebrate yet.”

Crew rolls his eyes before climbing out of the car with Teddy. He sets the dog down in the mulch, and he immediately squats.

“Didn’t see this coming when we went to that climbing gym.”

The sound of Asher’s voice startles me. “What do you mean?”

“I figured you two would end up divorced or not speaking. Crew likes things done a certain way—his way. I got the sense you were the same way. Basically, a recipe for disaster.”

“It’s only been a couple of months. Who knows how we’ll end up.”

“Anyone with eyes could make a good guess,” Asher replies.

Crew climbs back into the car before I have a chance to reply. He hands me Teddy, who wriggles and licks my face.

“He went.”

“I saw.” I give his soft head a rub. “Who’s the best boy?”

“You never say that to me, Red.”

“You’re housebroken.”

Asher makes a gagging sound.

Crew leans over to help me reattach the harness. “And you like it when I’m bad,” he whispers in my ear.

“If you’re done with the displays of affection, can we go?”

Crew sighs. “Your place?”

“Nah, drop me off at Proof. I need a drink.”

“You could have called a fucking Uber, man. I’m not a car service.”

“Right. You were so busy being a dog dad. I figured if I called you, we could go get a drink. You didn’t tell me you were bringing the wife, and I didn’t even know you had a puppy.”

Crew sighs, but I think he hears the same thing I do. Asher wanted to talk to him, not just a ride. I thought their relationship was more work colleagues than anything, but it seems like they’re genuinely friends. “Fine, I’ll drop you at Proof. You had better not be late for the Danbury meeting in the morning.”

“Don’t worry, boss. I’ll be in your office bright and early, feet on the desk.”

“Feet on the desk?” I ask.

“Crew hates it when people touch his desk,” Asher tells me.

“Oh.” I glance at Crew. He appears amused, not annoyed. I’ve touched his desk. Leaned against it. Sat at it.

A few minutes later, Crew stops in front of Proof. I look at the line of people standing outside, decked out in short dresses and expensive attire. Not too long ago, that might have been me. With the exception of waiting in line. I was always on the list.

“Thanks, man,” Asher says. “One of these days, I’ll actually tell him to fuck off.” He clears his throat. “Seriously, I owe you. Bye, Scarlett.”

“Bye, Asher.”

Asher climbs out of the car and disappears inside.

“You should go with him,” I tell Crew.

He looks surprised. “Why?”

“He obviously wanted to talk to you, and that’s why he called. About whoever he’s trying to tell to fuck off. You guys are friends, right?”

“Depends on the day.” Crew smiles, telling me he’s kidding. “Yeah, we’re friends. We’ve known each other for a while. His family is almost as messy as mine.”

“So, go. Seriously. I can handle all this.” I wave a hand at all the dog supplies we just bought.

“You lost the dog last time.”

“He has a leash now. Plus, he seems tired.” I glance down at Teddy, who’s methodically licking at his paw.

“Asher is a big boy. He has other friends he can call.”