WE SHOULD STOP NOW

PART 15 - THE GIFT

JOANIE

Fighting the urge to let out a big yawn, I take a big sip of my black coffee that I seriously need to try and combat my tiredness. The combination of no sleep last night and a busy breakfast rush this morning has seriously taken its toll on me. However, even so, I'm happier than I have been for a long time and find myself grinning to myself like an idiot imagining Caleb's lips on me again.

For most of the morning Caleb has been chatting away to me none stop making me laugh at his stupid stories and jokes, often coming up behind me to pepper kisses on the back of my neck whilst giving me a hug from behind when i'm trying to decorate cakes and bake. It's safe to say the last batch of cupcakes I've just worked on were probably the worst I've ever decorated because of the distraction.

The bakery is finally empty of customers and Caleb has popped out to bring back a 'gift' he's gotten me that he's ridiculously excited about. I've told him repeatedly I don't need a gift and whatever it is I want him to take it back, but he just looked really offended. Caleb's crazy rich, so I'm hoping he's not gone overboard. He said it's not the type of gift he can take back...so i'm guessing...flowers?

As I sit at the counter on one of the high stools sipping my coffee musing on what Caleb is up to, the door behind me opens and I look over my shoulder to see Caleb in the doorway with a huge smile on his face. I jump off my stool smiling back at him until I see what's in his hand and I stop in my tracks and my smile instantly drops.

Is-he-fucking-serious?

"Caleb, what the fuck is Bruce doing here?" I ask with confusion.

Bruce, the Campbells large bloodhound dog is stood at Caleb's feet with a big slobbery smile on his face that mirrors Caleb huge stupid grin. The last time I saw Bruce he was chasing us off the Campbells' Getty to try and attack us, so to say I'm a little confused right now is an understatement.

Holding Bruce's leash, Caleb gently pulls him into the bakery and closes the door behind them before walking over to me as I stand and watch speechlessly.

I put my hands on my hips and frown at Caleb, "Explain." I scowl at him which just makes Caleb chuckle.

Caleb bends down and gives Bruce a big tickle and rub behind his ears which makes the dog do a throaty grumble and a wag of his tail with contentment and Caleb looks back up at me as if that should be the answer to all my questions, but I just raise my eyebrows at him. "Caleb!"

"OK, hear me out. I was thinking about what you said the other night about being lonely and how you often walk home in the dark on your own and it didn't like it. I also hate the idea of you being here on your own, especially when you're getting up early doors to start work...I know you said that you didn't want a man looking after you...so it got me thinking...maybe you'd let a dog." He explains and I can see real concern on his face that makes me want to kiss him all over again.

I bite my lip and look down at Bruce, he is gorgeous and I do have a soft spot for dogs but this simply can't work.

"How did you even get him off the Campbells?" I question.

"I remembered that my mum had gotten Hank as I was leaving to go to Africa so she wasn't alone in that big house. So it got me thinking and yesterday I headed to the local rehoming centre and there he was. That prick Mark Campbell had dumped him there, saying he was a useless dog they told me, but as soon as I saw him there I knew he was the one." Caleb says firmly, patting Bruce on the head making him wag his tail again.

"Caleb, it's honestly a really lovely idea, but my apartment is so small I've no garden and I'm just so busy here I..." I begin to say

"Well, I thought about that. So I'll come over and help walk him and he can always come and stay at my mum's house on the weekends and play with Hank and not to mention...look at his face!" Caleb chuckles as he gives Bruce another big cuddle making him slump on the floor, paws up to the ceiling to show his belly wanting more cuddles and tummy rubs.