Gabe had flipped on the kitchen light and was at the sink filling an ice tray with water. He put it in the freezer and gave her a wink. “So, in addition to not being the most domestic of nearly thirty-year-old guys who live alone, I’m also not the best host. I wish I had thought about it earlier, but after a quick look in the fridge, it seems I can offer you a glass of water with the two ice cubes that clung to the tray this morning, milk from a gallon that expired yesterday, a bottle of ginger ale, or a Guinness, but I remember you said you don’t like dark beer.”

Olivia’s laugh reverberated down into her fingers and toes. “No to the glass of milk for sure. I like ginger ale, but I’m happy with a glass of water right now.”

He nodded and pulled two glasses from a cabinet near the fridge. “Next time you come over, I’m going to be ready for you.”

“For the record, I like that you didn’t plan on entertaining me here. And this place is sweet.”

He finished filling the waters and cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t know that I’d go with sweet, but it’s cheap and enabled me to get through vet school without racking up a lot of additional debt. It’s on my to-do list to find a new place, but it’s clearly not as much a priority as a bunch of other stuff. However, like I said, with Samson having a hard time with the stairs lately, I need to make it one.”

It was too early in their relationship for her to have the thought that they both needed to find new places to live, but the thought was there regardless. Hoping it couldn’t be read on her face, she headed for the living room and the couch. Its seat was low enough to the ground that Samson hopped up next to her with no effort. When she was seated beside him, he was every bit as tall as she was. Actually, he was a bit taller. He panted in her face, his mouth agape.

“You’re such a good boy.” She did a double-handed rubdown of his ears. “But that breath.”

Gabe laughed and took a seat on the opposite side of Samson. He set the glasses on coasters and settled back against the couch, draping his arm across the top and closing his hand on her shoulder.

“There’s something else I should probably tell you.”

“I’m all ears.” Olivia twisted in her seat to face him, dipping to the side to look around Samson before he dropped down to curl up beside her. In one big, floppy movement, he rolled onto his back, his feet up in the air.

With Samson’s furry belly exposed, there was nothing else to do but scratch it as she listened.