She was sure all brothers wanted to think that of their sisters, but looking at how Alyssa interacted with Alex and the dogs, Kendall figured Julian was right. Alyssa was special.
After twenty minutes of watching the girls with the dogs, talking about everything and nothing, and the park filling with people and pets around them, an idea came to Kendall.
“Look at your sister.”
Julian did as she asked.
“Look at how relaxed she is, the puppy in
her lap and she’s almost… serene.”
“She is,” he agreed. “She’s like that when she’s working with flowers. It gives her peace.”
“Did you ever think of getting her an emotional-support dog? Or letting her work with a dog to become one? It would be great for her to have a companion animal.”
He scrubbed a hand over his light growth of beard, a sexy addition, in her opinion. One that made her female parts sit up and take notice. She’d like to feel that whisker burn between her thighs, she mused, trembling at the thought. But not in a public place, and that’s where they were, so she waited for him to respond.
“I like the idea,” he said at last.
“Does she have a doctor who would write a letter recommending she have an emotional-support dog for her condition?” Kendall asked.
Julian glanced over at his sister. “She does. What would she need it for?”
“Flying or if her landlord doesn’t allow pets. But I think an animal would be a huge comfort to her,” she said, just as Alyssa picked up Waffles and buried her face in the dog’s fur.
“And I’m sold on the idea,” Julian said, laughing.
His laugh hit all the right parts of her, emotionally and physically. He was so handsome in his aviators and bright smile, her heart squeezed at the sight of him, just as desire worked its way through her body.
“Thank you. The fact that you noticed that, it’s going to make such a big difference in her life. I can just tell by looking at her.” He stared at his sister with adoration and love, enabling Kendall to see just maybe why he’d gone to the lengths he had to ensure her well-being and future.
And a man who loved so completely, a man she was developing deep feelings for, couldn’t be bad.
* * *
Julian walked into her apartment, Chinese food bag in hand, and she greeted him with a kiss on the mouth, one he’d been starving for all day. Her warm lips settled on his, causing his cock to do an eager jump.
A flying dog separated them when Waffles did a leap for the food, her paws landing on Julian’s stomach. Steve, meanwhile, lunged for Waffles.
Julian raised the bag, keeping it out of the dogs’ way. “Go play.” He gestured inside and both dogs took off running. Of course, this was a New York City apartment and they couldn’t go far.
“I was going to suggest we eat in the family room and relax, but I don’t think the dogs will let us do either.”
He laughed. “Kitchen table it is.”
“Is Alex coming?” she asked.
He shook his head. “She has a test tomorrow. She’s studying.”
At the small kitchen table, he unpacked the boxes and she set down the plates and utensils. They shared pork dumplings, lo mein, egg rolls, spare ribs, and other traditional American-favorite Chinese foods.
“So… I was thinking,” she said.
“About what?”
“My sister. I think you and I have been together long enough, tested the waters, so to speak. I’ve been considering telling her about us.” She looked up at him with a serious expression on her face.
He dropped his chopsticks onto the table. “I’m sorry. Did you just say you want to tell your sister you’re seeing me?”