I always kept my window unlocked for him. Being in the basement was easier because it was ground level and he didn’t have to scale an entire building. I haven’t thought about the fact that I’ve also kept it unlocked since Aaron left.
But now I’m not bringing Miss Waddles into my bed. Now, I have Tulips. Not the tulips Parker got me.
My new puppy, a Bernese Mountain Dog mix, Tulips.
It took me all of two seconds to fall in love with her as soon as I got to the animal shelter with Bailey and Wes. The giant, scary looking man that’s Bailey’s boyfriend was holding this black,brown, and white puppy in his arms and I couldn’t help myself when I approached them.
“Remember what I said about a nun?” I say to Bailey and she just shakes her head at me.
Wes doesn’t say anything as he hands me the puppy that looks a lot bigger in my arms than she did in his. The man is six-foot-six of pure muscle, anger and hotness. Bailey looks like a supermodel fresh off the runway without even trying. I would watch them twenty-four hours a day if it wasn’t weird.
Weird to them. I don’t think it would be weird to me.
“She’s about four months old,” Wes grunts, wrapping an arm around Bailey’s shoulder and she leans into him.
I look down at the puppy, so I don’t think about the pain in my chest at the sight. Especially because Parker would have come with me today if I asked. Maybe he should have.
No, I don’t need him. I don’t need anyone.
Except this adorable puppy who’s licking my face.
“If you don’t let me take her home, I’m stealing her,” I announce.
“No need to commit a crime. You can take her home,” Wes tells me.
“Just tell me what I need to do.” I hug her tightly to my chest because I refuse to let her go.
As soon as I get her in my car and see the flowers still resting on my passenger seat, I know exactly what I’m going to name her.
If anyone asks the reason behind her name I’ll say something else. She has two lips…tulips. Yeah, it has nothing to do with my favorite flower that my ex-boyfriend got me after I broke up with my shitty other ex-boyfriend.
Absolutely nothing.
Now, I’ve learned that having a puppy is a lot of work. She likes to chew on everything she can get her teeth on. Especially my socks. Also, potty training is hard, but we’re working on it.
When I curl up into bed and she snuggles up to me it’s all worth it.
Everyone in my family fell in love with her just as fast as I did. Except Jerry Lee.
“Jizz!”he squawks, flying down to the ground to walk up to Tulips.
“Jerry Lee, be nice,” I instruct, crouching down as he approaches.
Tulips just sits, her ears flopping as she turns her head to watch the bird. As he gets closer Tulips lets out a weak “woof”and slides onto her stomach to lay down. Jerry Lee answers with his own, much louder bark, and she freaks out, getting to her feet, but sliding on the wood floors.
I laugh. “Don’t be a dick, Jerry Lee.”
“Dick! Hunky Parker!”
“Oh good, another word.” I huff.
Tulips lets out another squeak bark.
“Who do you think will be annoyed first? Tulips or Jerry Lee?” my mom asks, coming into the room.
Tulips is currently trying to jump, run, and play with the bird, so I feel like the question is answered right away.
“Speaking of tulips,” my mom goads, gesturing toward the flowers in a vase I snuck onto the dining table. The one I hoped no one would ask about.