Billionaire's Single Mom

I shrugged. “My mother called me and mentioned it.” I laughed. “I imagine she did it right after she ran into you at the pharmacy.”

Emily chuckled quietly and scratched behind the ears of Joe and Dean. “Of course. I should have guessed.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Sorry about that. My mother can be…” I shrugged.

She shrugged, too. “My mother is the same way, so don’t worry about it.”

We both shared a laugh.

“I remembered you mentioning that Juniper wants a dog,” I said, “but you were waiting until she was older.”

She stood with a smile. “Yes. That’s part of it. I wanted a dog after Juniper was first born. I loved the idea of a puppy growing up beside her, but Lionel is allergic, so it was another dream that died with my first marriage.”

Allergies? A sudden worry crept in. “But Juniper isn’t?”

“Oh, no. We go to the mall sometimes so she can pet the dogs in the store.”

“Well, in that case, at least she can have some dogs for a little bit to pet.”

Emily opened the door and motioned inside. “Please, come in.”

I stepped inside with the boys. Juniper lay on the couch, pale and with dark circles under her eyes. The poor girl looked miserable, and it ate at my heart. Whatever my own motivations, it was a good thing I’d brought the dogs. She could use at least a few minutes of happiness.

Emily closed the door behind us.

Juniper sat up, and her eyes widened. “Dogs? Did you finally buy some, Mama?”

“These are my dogs,” I said. “Joe and Dean.”

“Mama, I want to play with them. Can I?”

Emily rubbed the back of her neck. “Well, you’re a little too sick to play with them.”

Juniper sighed.

“How about they just lay down with her, and she can pet them?” I suggested. “That shouldn’t be too much of a strain.”

Juniper nodded eagerly. “Please, Mama. Please, please, please.”

Emily smiled. “That should be all right.”

“Joe, Dean,” I said, patting their heads. “Go sit on the couch.”

The dogs both barked happily and hopped on the couch. They both licked Juniper. She let out a delighted laugh and hugged a dog. They both nuzzled her.

The boys did like kids, but other than the occasional neighborhood kid, they didn’t get to spend much time around them, so this was as fun for them as it was for Juniper.

Just a moment before, Juniper had looked depressed and drained of energy, but now, despite her pale face, she was laughing, moving, and full of life. It warmed my heart. No matter what happened with Emily, coming over was worth it to see that look on her daughter’s face.

Emily embraced me, and I hugged her back, only barely resisting the urge to rub her back.

“Thank you,” she said after pulling away. “I didn’t think she’d be so happy, but thank you.” She tucked a loose brown strand of hair behind her ear. “Would you like some coffee? I know she should get some more rest, but she should get some time with the dogs.”

“Some coffee would be great.”

Emily led me into her cozy kitchen. She’d already brewed a pot apparently. She fished out a LEGOLAND coffee mug decorated with pictures of LEGO minifigs and handed it to me.

“Cream or sugar?”