"Look deep into his eyes. I guarantee you will see it." * * * Her brow furrowed. "Then we're not going."
She moved over, patting the spot next to her. "I don't think you like him." *** "Val.. Don't be like that."
"I love this dog," he said, sitting next to her and kissing her cheek. "It's just going to kill me." * * * "No. We're not going. I'm not having you go."
"I do! Look at him, though. Death Dog." * * * "You would do the same if it were me," she said stubbornly. "Either it's just me or we don't go."
"It's LLC for now." * * * "Look, as you so often like to point out, I'm small. Smaller than you. It would be safer for both of us if you stayed."
"I do," he told her, sliding the dog in her lap. "I do say so." * * * She swallowed before nodding. "Yeah. It'd be more dangerous."
"He's like a baby," he commented, poking the dog's nose. * * * Some part of her seemed to give with relief and she lifted his head gently. "Don't worry, okay?"
She chuckled, her eyes bright. "Fur baby." *** He moved his head away. "I'm going to worry no matter what you say."
"Fb for short?" * * * She frowned before scooting forward to sit on his lap. "Landon? Landon, honey, look at me."
"He's a dog of mystery." * * * Her bright eyes met his and her hands were warm on the side of his neck. "I'm not going anywhere," she said quietly, her thumb brushing his jaw. "I'll be back tonight and I'll tell you the funny stories about what happened. Okay? I'm used to this kind of thing."
