What kind of a surprise? Should I bring my wand?
I smile at her response.
Travis
I’ll be the one with the wand, Princess ??
Viola
Let’s hope you know how to use that thing before you break it ??
I shake my head at her response, loving her filthy mouth.
Travis
Was that really necessary? Low blow, Princess.
Viola
Sorry, King. Sometimes you have to pay the price of being a smart-ass.
I set my phone down and get her gift ready, so she sees it when she first walks in. I know she’s going to lose her mind.
Hearing Viola’s car pull into the driveway, I immediately greet her at the door. She smiles, and I press my lips to hers before she even has a chance to speak.
“Well, hi,” she says, gasping for air.
“Hi.” I smile in return. “I have something waiting for you.”
I lead her into the house and down the hallway to my bedroom. “Are you ready?”
“Nothing’s going to pop out at me, is it?” She pulls back slightly, and I wrap a hand around her neck and pull her lips to mine again.
“No, unless you’re into that kind of thing.” I wink at her, and she holds back a smile.
“You have no shame.” She chuckles against my mouth.
I softly kiss her lips once more and pull back slightly as I open my bedroom door.
Stepping out of her way so she can walk in, she immediately gasps and runs to the bed, where an eight-week-old puppy is wiggling with excitement, anxiously waiting for her to pick him up.
“Oh my God!” she screams—her excitement addicting as I follow her. “You got a puppy?” She picks him up and holds him close to her chest. “He’s so sweet!” She rubs his fur against her cheek.
I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into me. “I gotyoua puppy.”
Her eyes widen as she looks up at me. “What? Why? I mean, I can’t have a puppy in the dorms. What about when I leave?” Her bottom lip trembles, and I can tell she’s not getting my whole point.
“He’s going to live here with me until you come back.”
“He is?”
“Yes.” I smile confidently. “That way I know you’ll come back. I know you can’t resist puppies.”
She chuckles, rubbing the length of her chin along his face. “So he’s collateral? I don’t come back, and you get to keep the puppy?”
“I don’t want to keep the puppy, Princess. I just wantyou.”
She tilts her head and narrows her eyes. “You have me. Regardless of being gone for six months, I’m not going anywhere. We’ll still text and Skype, and I’ll call you every night. I’ll be back before we know it.” Her words are reassuring, but I can’t help but notice the tone in her voice isn’t as confident.