“Why?” he asked.
“Because I volunteer there a few times a week, and they need all the volunteers they can get. What do I do?”
“How about if I go with you today and help because I’d like to see the place and see the people you will work with. Would that be okay?”
She clapped excitedly. “Yes, I’d love that.” She wanted to show him everything and have him meet her friends who worked there.
“Okay, good. I’ll say goodbye to these guys, and then we can go.”
“Are you sure I’m not taking you away from anything?” she asked.
“No, baby, you’re not. You’re more important to me than anything,” he murmured against the side of her head before he kissed it.
Her heart just about busted out of her chest when he said things like that. It made her feel like he really did care about her, and they were only going to get stronger.
She watched as Gavin said goodbye and shook his friends’ hands.
“I’ll call you later so we can talk about business more. I’d also like to bring in a few people to hear your idea’s on a detective agency. I think they’ll be an asset for you guys.”
“We’d appreciate it,” Simon said.
“Come with me, honey. I want to change clothes and give you something.”
Alexa took his hand and followed him into the elevator to their condo. She sat on the bed as he walked into the closet. A few minutes later, he came out in older faded jeans and a t-shirt with a small box in his hands.
He sat down beside her and handed her the box. “Here, open this.”
She carefully opened it and stared down at the beautiful necklace. “Oh, my. Is this for me?”
He chuckled. “Of course. Who else would it be for?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“I’m glad you think so. I had this made up for you and just got it today. Once I put it on, I don’t want it to come off.”
“I wouldn’t want to take it off,” she said.
He pulled the necklace out of the box and put it around her neck. It looked delicate, but the chain was reinforced with what looked like a locket with a pretty colorful flower on the front of it.
She stared down at it for a moment. “Thank you so much, Daddy. I’ll love it forever.”
He grinned and pulled her into his lap. Then his lips took hers in a deep, hot kiss.
He lifted his head. It took her a moment before she opened her eyes.
“We should get going before this goes any further,” he said.
She nodded.
It wasn’t long before they were both in his car and driving out of the city to the animal rescue. When they pulled up, she could feel her heart lighten at the chance of being with the animals
“You really like working here, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes, very much. Sometimes it was the only thing that got me through the hard times. I hope you like it,” she said.
“Oh, I bet I will. I like animals, too. Let’s go and check it out.”
They spent a few hours there, where she introduced him to all the employees at the animal rescue league and showed him what she did when she was there. She was so pleased when he rolled up his sleeves and started helping her scoop poop out of cat litter boxes and walk the dogs outside in the back.