“I won’t have any chocolate muffins, so don’t ask.”
She smirked. “I won’t. I’m going to have to skip a few days with the sweets.” She glanced at the ceiling. “It’s not fair. Why does the bad stuff taste so good?”
“Conspiracy I think.”
She covered her mouth to stifle her laugh. “Sounds about right.”
“If it’s any consolation, I’m cutting back too. My mom’s cooking will catch up with me if I’m not careful.”
“I think moderation is best for both of us.”
“Are you offering to be my accountability partner or something?”
Her mouth twisted into a grin. “No, but if you need some encouragement now and then, I’m here.”
“I’ll take that too. I’m not keeping you from anything am I?”
Leah kneaded her shoulder as Chip pawed her foot through her slipper. She reached down and picked him up. “No, I was thinking of watching a movie.” Chip barked.
“Was that a bark?” he asked sounding intrigued.
Chip crawled over her lap. “Maybe.”
“Leah?”
“I may have gotten a puppy?”
He choked. “What?”
“Before you say anything else, I’ve never had a problem with dogs. Growing up without them, I never thought much about having one.”
“And now you are?”
Happiness coursed through her as Chip reclined in her lap. “This puppy was too cute, Cole. I only stopped by the animal shelter since I haven’t been in a while, and they had these golden retriever puppies and I—”
“You fell for those big puppy eyes. Didn’t you?”
She pulled her lips in. “Maybe.”
“Oh, Leah. Don’t you see that’s how they get you? One look and it’s over.”
She scratched behind Chip’s ears. “You’re right.”
“You own a dog? That’s definitely interesting.”
“Make fun of me all you want.”
“Not if you were serious.”
Her eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
Cole cleared his throat. “If it was important to you, Leah, I’d never make fun of you. I know I joke around, but I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
Leah’s hand stilled. Her breath hitched. Butterflies filled her stomach. “I know you wouldn’t, Cole. Thank you.”
“Good. Well… I won’t keep you any longer. Five-thirty works for you, right?”
She avoided the heat curling down her spine. “That’s fine. I’ll see you then.”