Chapter 1 

Evie

“Now, listen. Kai’s a total softie, but he doesn’t love animals the way I do, so you have to behave, alright? No barking, no chewing his shoes, or peeing on the carpet. We need him to like you so he lets you stay.”

Great. I’m trying to negotiate with a homeless puppy.

Which is kind of ironic, seeing as the whole reason I’m currently standing outside my older brother’s apartment building with a duffle bag over one shoulder is because I, too, am about to be homeless.

Thanks, campus housing staff, for giving me less than a week to get out of my university apartment after finishing my graduate degree in special education. Guess they don’t realize the housing situation in Vancouver is absolutely insane.

As much as I don’t want to admit to it, I’m grateful Kai basically insisted I crash on his couch until I can find a job with a local school district. His generosity makes it possible for me to focus on my job search without any distractions, like finding a place or coming up with rent money working a summer job.

Of course, that was before this morning, when I came across this dirty, sad bundle of fur on the side of the road.

Just when I thought I had a solid plan in place for finding my footing post grad school, an adorable set of puppy dog eyes goes and throws it off track. I can’t explain it, the instant connection I felt. But something in me insisted I save her, and even more, keep her. I know I was meant to be the one to find her.

The puppy tilts her head to the side and gives a little yip, and I shake my own head to clear it.

“You’re lucky I found you, girl. This might be the craziest thing I’ve ever done, but we’re in it together now. You and me, against the world.” I look up at Kai’s building. “As long as big brother doesn’t slam the door in your cute face.”

I use the fob Kai gave me to buzz myself inside and move to the elevators. When the doors slide open, the puppy freezes with a little whine.

“Come on girl, it’s okay. You’re safe.” I keep my voice soft, but it’s clear she’s not moving. “Fine, but don’t get used to this. You’re not going to be a small puppy for long.” I heft her up in my arms, earning a very wet kiss to my cheek, and step into the elevator. It takes some shifting to free one hand to push the button for Kai’s floor, because this puppy already isn’t small. The shelter estimated she was only a few months old, but she has massive paws and a big block-shaped head that makes me think she’s going to be huge.

I try to set her down, and she just wriggles and whines some more. “Oh my God, you big baby.” I huff, but I can’t hold back my smile. I love dogs. Always wanted one growing up, but my asthma was a lot worse back then than it is now, so my parents refused, saying the doctors advised no pets with fur.

The elevator doors open on Kai’s floor and I step out. Finally, the puppy allows me to put her down. It takes some coaxing to get her to walk down the short hall to his apartment, but we make it, and I turn the handle to push the door open, still looking down at her as she snuffles the ground behind me.

“What the hell is that?”

My head shoots up at Kai’s shocked voice, and I stumble over the puppy who has somehow managed to move in front of me. I’m about to meet the ground with my face when strong arms are grabbing me, saving me from crashing.

“Easy there, darlin’.”

Oh crap.

That voice. That smooth, low southern voice. I know if I look, I’ll see the short brown hair, warm eyes that I’ve gotten lost in more than once over the last six years, and deep dimples that voice belongs to. It takes a lot of self-control not to let myself melt into his arms the way I’ve always wanted to, but my pride wins out, giving me the strength to extricate myself from Rhett Darlington’s hold.

But there are limits to my self-control. Especially when it comes to the man I’ve had a crush on since my embarrassing teenage years. And acknowledging his presence would push me past those limits right now, even if part of me hates being rude and not acknowledging his role in preventing me from hitting the ground.

Instead, I keep my gaze firmly on my brother who’s standing to the side, his arms crossed as he tries to ignore the puppy dancing at his feet.

“It’s a puppy, Kai, I know you’re just an athlete, but don’t play the dumb jock around me.”

His dark gaze, so similar to mine, narrows into a glare that is the perfect combination of sibling love and sibling annoyance, as I hear a muffled sound of amusement come from next to me. But I continue to ignore Rhett. Had I known he would be here, I would’ve… Well, I probably would have tried to find a reason not to come.

“Why is there a puppy in my apartment, Gigi?”

“Don’t call me that,” I say, my automatic response every time he uses that awful nickname. Even if it does exist solely because I couldn’t pronounce my own name as a toddler.

Then, taking a step farther into the apartment, I bend down to unclip the leash from the puppy’s collar. It’s just as frayed and old as the leash, but the best the shelter could offer. I was grateful they had even that since my alternative was carrying her everywhere.

She takes off toward Kai, and almost immediately trips over her own feet. Kai tries — and fails — to muffle a snort of laughter. “Pair of klutzes, both of you.” He softens the teasing by pulling me in for a hug. “But seriously. Why do you have a puppy?”

I pull back from his hug, watching the puppy attack a pair of shoes. Until Rhett goes to gently remove them from her, and I swing my gaze elsewhere. “I found her this morning when I was out for a walk. I tried taking her to the shelter, but they were going to put her down. I couldn’t let that happen. She’s so sweet, and I’ll do everything. You won’t even know she’s here, I promise.” Turning to look up at Kai, I make a pleading gesture with my hands. I hate feeling like I’m begging him for this when he’s already done so much for me. Things I can never repay him for, like helping with tuition, and now, pushing me to stop being stubborn and accept his offer of a place to stay. I couldn’t argue that it made sense to crash on his couch instead of potentially having to move again when I find a job.

I watch his face soften as he crouches down to pet the dog. It’s a promising sign from the guy who doesn’t love dogs, made even more so when she immediately flops over onto her back. Then I hear him swear under his breath.

“Evie, I want to say yes, but she can’t stay here.”

I stoop down beside him, rubbing the puppy’s belly. “Why not? I promise she won’t get in the way.” I don’t ask my brother for much, hardly anything. But this…this I need from him.

“Because my building doesn’t allow dogs.” He looks over at me, regret on his face. “I’m sorry.”

That’s a complication I didn’t expect. I slump down to sit on the floor, trying not to let myself get emotional over a puppy I just met this morning. A puppy whose future is now very uncertain.

Kai pulls me in to his side, rubbing his hand up and down my arm. “Sorry, sis.”

Rhett, who’s been a silent observer up until now, crouches down beside us, his close proximity making my stomach twist. He stretches out his hand for the puppy to sniff with a gentle smile. And my body rebels against my better sense as I look out of the corner of my eye at him. Dang it, so much for hoping he had somehow become less attractive in the time since I last saw him. Would it kill the guy to grow a pervy mustache or have a pimple?

But no, he’s just as good looking as ever. It’s a battle not to be too obvious as I drink in his tall, muscular body, the dusting of hair over his corded forearms, and the little dimple in his chin.

I suck in a sharp breath, my mouth goes dry, and my heart speeds up. All because he smells so darn good. It’s unfair, really. That a man should be that handsome, that charming, and smell so delicious. Like a warm day at the lake in springtime. All fresh, and woodsy, and just…God. No. Snap out of this, Evangeline Yamaki. You’re smarter than this.

Rhett Darlington is not an option. Not now, not ever.

Besides, I promised myself I’d stick to my priorities — find a job, find a place to live. No distractions, especially not six-foot-something baseball players.

“Listen. Why don’t we call around to some other shelters? Someone’s gotta have room for her, or a foster or something.”

I’m already shaking my head before Kai finishes talking. “We did that when I took her to the first one. They called three others; every single one is full.”

“Damn.” Kai runs his hand through his hair, looking over at Rhett. “Got any ideas?”

Rhett makes a noise, like he’s thinking, as he continues to pet the dog. “Friends? Anyone from your classes that might want a dog?” He’s looking straight at me, but I can’t make myself meet his stare. Can he tell my heart is still racing?

“I guess I could ask Lina,” I say, mentioning one of my two closest friends. She’s already got two kids and a bird, but maybe she wouldn’t mind a temporary puppy? Until I remember something. “Wait, no, her son is terrified of dogs.”

“Carlee?” Kai names my other friend and roommate throughout university.

“Nope, she’s moving into a tiny studio apartment, and she’s gone all day.” I think through my former classmates, but no one stands out as a good option. Still, if it means this sweet girl has a home until I do, then I have to try. “I guess if I can’t think of someone, I’ll have to take her back to the shelter.”

My disappointment fills the room, causing a somber silence to fall. Even the puppy has quieted down and is simply lying between us all, resting her head on her paws.

“Wait.”

I lift my head to see Kai staring at Rhett.

“Dude. Your building allows dogs. You could —”

“Stop right there, Yami,” Rhett interjects, his head shaking back and forth. “You know full well how much I’m gone, no way can I have a dog right now.”

“How can you say no to that sweet face?” My brother gestures down to the puppy who has lifted her head, tilting it to the side.

I’m holding my breath, not sure how I feel about this conversation; the one I’m apparently not a part of.

“Yami, no. I’m not taking the dog.”

“Not just the dog. Evie and the dog.”

“Wait, what?” I interject, certain I heard wrong. “Kai, no.”

He turns to me. “Hear me out. I hate that you were gonna be stuck on my couch. Rhett’s got a spare bedroom at his place, and he can have dogs in his building. So why don’t you both stay there?” Then, turning to Rhett, he says, “What do you think, bro? It’s just for the summer, two months, tops. Just ’til she finds a job and a place of her own, right, Evie?”

Two sets of eyes turn back to me, looking for what, I don’t know. Confirmation that this idea is crazy? My mind immediately starts trying to come up with a good reason why this is a terrible idea. Even if it is currently the only idea that lets me keep the dog.

Before I can come up with anything, Kai continues.

“Besides, Darling’s like another brother to you anyway. It won’t be all that different from staying here except you get a bed, not a couch, and the dog can stay.”

My jaw clenches. There’s so much wrong with what he just said, but there’s also just enough right that I’m forced to consider my options.

Which amount to basically nothing.

I make myself turn my head to look at him, on purpose, for the first time since walking into Kai’s apartment.

“Don’t let Kai steamroll this, Rhett. It’s your home. I don’t want to invade your privacy.”

Rhett gives me a gentle smile, that large hand of his still rhythmically stroking the dog’s back. “I appreciate that, Evie, but my mama would slap me if she knew I turned away a friend who needed help. Especially one who’s basically like family, as Kai said.”

Ignoring the wince at his choice of words, I push on, needing to be certain he’s truly fine with this. “Are you sure? You’d be okay with me and the puppy staying there? As soon as I get a job, I’ll find an apartment of my own and be gone. And while you’re traveling I can clean up, water your plants, whatever.”

He just lifts his shoulder in an effortless shrug. “It’s not a problem, darlin’. Like Yami said, I’ve got the space.” He looks down at the dog, his smile deepening. “And this little lady deserves a second chance at life.”

Well, crap. When he says stuff like that, I’m tempted to take the lid off my years-old crush and swoon all over him again.

“Okay. If you’re sure, I guess I’ll move my stuff into your place tomorrow, not here,” I say quietly, still somewhat hoping he’ll laugh and say he was joking and there’s no way I can stay with him. Not that I have anywhere else to go, but still, the idea of living with Rhett is…slightly terrifying.

“Wait, where’s the puppy going to stay tonight? Are you even allowed a dog in campus housing?” Kai asks, and I swear it’s as if he’s intentionally adding fuel to my panic fire.

“Um, n-no,” I stammer out. “But I’ll sneak her in, it’s fine.” After all, I’m technically finished with my master’s degree, all that’s missing from my graduation is the fancy piece of paper. What’s the worst the university could do? Kick me out of housing? Too late, the deadline to move out is in two days.

“Or I can take her home with me tonight,” Rhett says calmly.

“Oh no, I can’t ask you to do that,” I start to protest, my head shaking back and forth. “I have to go to the store and get her some food, and a bed, and well, everything. It’s fine. I’ll —”

“Let me take her.” His soothing, deep voice interrupts me, and a warm hand lands on my arm. “I can cook up some rice and chicken for her tonight, and tomorrow we’ll go together and get what she needs.”

“Dude, we have practice and a game tomorrow.”

Rhett looks at Kai and frowns. “Shit.”

“I’ll go to the store tomorrow and get what she needs. She’s my dog,” I interject, sharply pulling my arm away from Rhett.

Only to regret my tone. I do need his help for just tonight, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful. I incline my head toward Rhett. “But thank you, if you’ll take her tonight, that would be great.”

He smiles and nods, as if everything is settled and done.

Kai stands up and claps his hands together, making the puppy squirm to stand up and shake as well. “Great. Problem solved. Rhett takes the dog tonight, and tomorrow Evie moves her shit into his spare bedroom.”

He reaches a hand out and pulls me up to stand before draping an arm around my neck and leading me into the kitchen. “Can we eat now? I’m fucking starving.”

My brother might be ready to move on to dinner, but I’m still three steps behind, trying to figure out how I went from crashing by myself on his couch to staying with the object of many late-night fantasies, with a puppy in tow.