She gave a light shake of her head. “I can’t. She’s been so generous letting me stay. And me not bringing in a pet was her only rule.”

“You don’t think she’d make an exception?”

Still on her heels at Morgan’s side, Olivia glanced up at Gabe, then back at the dog as she stroked one long, silky ear. “She loves that bird of hers. And Coco was a giant mess when she was rescued from the house where she lived before—mostly from being antagonized by the other animals living with her.”

“That’s no surprise, though with the right training, most birds can live comfortably with dogs or cats in the house. Think it would help if you kept them apart?”

Olivia’s expression was as hopeful as it was somber. Leaning closer to the dog, she draped her hands around his thick neck and pulled him close. The doting dog stepped closer and wagged his short tail.

“If there was a way to work it out…I’d like that. A lot.” With her face pressed into Morgan’s neck, her words were muffled.

With a wave of nerves snaking across his gut, Gabe took a leap. “If it helps, with the problems Samson’s been having on the stairs, you can let her know I’m overdue to start looking for a new place. I decided for certain not to renew my lease. And whatever I get, I’d, uh, like to make sure it accommodates more than me and Samson comfortably.”

Even in the shade, he noticed a hint of color darken Olivia’s cheeks. When she didn’t say anything, he continued.

“It may not be anything to write home about, with my loans and the debt I’m taking on by taking over Dr. Washington’s practice, but I’m tired of leasing. I’ve been thinking I could have your sister show me some houses. When she’s not out with Yun showing her every possible commercial space on the market, that is. I think they’re seeing twenty buildings today alone. Yun keeps texting me pictures of all the places that would never work.”

Olivia let out a huff of laughter and stood up, sweeping her hair back from her face. “My sister texted me a picture of their list. It’s impressive. I know she’d be all over showing you some houses, and I bet Samson would love that.”

“What about you?”

She pressed her lips together and seemed to study his face for all the things he wasn’t saying. “I’d, uh, really like that too.”

He reached for her hand and squeezed it in his. “You know, I like that you’d like that.”

That remarkable smile of hers returned as the mood lightened. “Goof.”