The Billionaire's Matchmaker(75)

“We? You’re coming with me? To the studio?”

Nick couldn’t blame her for looking confused. There was so much he needed to explain when they had time. Right now, he settled for reassurance.

Cradling her face between his hands, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Yes,” he told her. “I’m coming with you.”

It was time to stop living in the shadows.





Chapter Seven



They pulled up to find Gabby pacing the sidewalk. Soon as she saw Nick in the driver’s seat, the gallery owner’s eyes widened. “Mr. B? I mean, Mr. Bonaparte?” She looked at Jenny then back at him. “I – I wasn’t expecting you to come to the gallery.”

“Jenny and I were looking for Lulu when you called.”

“Really? I didn’t realize.” She shot another look in Jenny’s direction before extending her hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Nick took in Gabby’s welcoming smile. If the woman found his scars repulsive, she hid her reaction well. Was it possible that all this time, his worries had been in his head? The byproduct of a selfish woman’s insults?

“Same here. Gives me a chance to thank you for taking care of Charlie. Hope he wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Nothing the four of us couldn’t handle. If anything, he seemed to bring us all good fortune.”

Yes, thought Nick, he certainly did.

“Not to interrupt the greeting or anything…” While he and Gabby had been talking, Jenny had gotten out of the car. She and Charlie bounced impatiently by the entrance, waiting to be let in. “You called about Lulu. Is she all right?”

Gabby grinned. “Oh, she’s fine. Come see for yourself.”

With Charlie leading the way, Gabby directed them through her front showroom and into the back office.

“I had no idea she was back here or I would have called sooner,” she told them. “I opened the door to grab some paper for the printer and there she was. I still don’t know how she got in here. I didn’t even know she knew where the studio was.”

Gabby swung open the door. On the floor, nestled in some old rags lay Lulu, four tiny brown and white bodies asleep by her belly.

“Oh my God, will you look at them?” Jenny exclaimed. She ran a finger over each of the four backs.

Charlie barked and licked Lulu’s nose before settling in next to her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was proud of himself,” Nick said.

“Can you blame him? Look at how adorable they are!” She frowned. “Wonder what made her come here?” Jenny said. “I didn’t think she knew how to get to the studio.”

“Me neither,” replied Gabby. “Only dog that ever visits is Charlie. I called Gideon, by the way. He said he’d be over to give her a check soon as the clinic closed, but until then she’s fine where she is.”

“Thanks. I’m sure he’ll happily remind me how he told me she wouldn’t need help delivering her puppies.”

“Looks like he was right,” Nick remarked.

“Which I’m sure he’ll remind me about, too. Good job, Lulu.” Jenny rubbed Lulu’s ears. “Good job.”

Seeing Jenny’s face glow with such obvious pride and affection brought a lump to Nick’s throat. And when she turned and that same emotion was aimed in his direction, the lump nearly doubled. That one smile was worth every stare, every whisper, and every risk he’d ever face. He smiled back, hoping she recognized similar emotions reflecting hers.

Her fingers entwined with his. Definitely worth the risk, thought Nick. Definitely.

…

“Lulu seems happy enough with her whelping box now,” Nick pointed out later that afternoon. Following Gideon Roth’s proclamation that mother and babies were one hundred percent healthy, Jenny and Nick had brought them from the studio back to Nick’s house. The entire family, Charlie included, was now asleep in Nick’s library. Lulu and the puppies were resting in the box they picked up from Jenny’s apartment, and Charlie slept by their side.


“She certainly does,” Jenny replied. “Something else Gideon will be able to gloat about.”

“Well, the man is a veterinarian. One should hope he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to our pets.”

Our. The word inspired thoughts of future that she did her best to tamp down. “You know, Gabby, Mia, and Marney have already made claims to three of the puppies.”

“Hope they cleared that with Charlie. He seems pretty darn protective.”

Yes, thought Jenny, Charlie did. The dog hadn’t left Lulu’s side since they’d discovered her. Funny how, when they arrived at Gabby’s shop, he ran straight to the back room. Almost like he knew where Lulu was hiding out.. Canine instinct, she supposed.

Nick was limping his way back into the living room. Seeing his uneven gait, Jenny felt a stab of guilt. He’d been on his feet most of the day. As a result, his limp was more pronounced, and he kept rubbing at his right shoulder.

“You let your muscles stiffen up, didn’t you?”

He waved off her concern. “It’s nothing.”

But Jenny could tell it was not nothing. He was obviously hurting. “Sit,” she said, pointing to the living room sofa.