“When I glanced at the chair, it started to shake. I’d like to think it was scared of me, but I rarely invoked that response in living things, let alone inanimate objects. ”

“Boo," I said. He reacted as all mutts react when I confront them. He leapt from his chair and dove for the nearest exit, shaking in terror. In my dreams. He glanced at me and started looking for Clay. It never failed. Mutts only quaked when I appeared because it usually meant Clayton wasn't far behind. I was nothing but a harbinger of doom.”

“When Liam stepped forward again, Derek's arm shot around me , a growl vibrating up from his stomach.Liam put his hand out toward me. When Derek tensed he pilled back, then did it again, testing his reaction, laughing when he got one, untill even Ramone started to laugh."Check this out," Liam said. "I think the pup's got himself a mate. Isn't that the cutest thing?”

“He lifted his brows. "If I really thought it was the absolute best thing for our kids, you'd have had a battle on your hands. That was just a debate.""With chair-throwing.""Heated debate. Fights involve chair-breaking. Chair-throwing is just getting your attention.”

“Oh, my God! It's a killer Pomeranian." I glanced up at Derek. "It's a tough call, but I think you can take him.”

“I had to take responsibility, even if it meant saying no to an authority figure, because I was the authority on me.”

“After the woman left, I set my coffee down and opened the bag. Two muffins-double-chocolate andblueberry bran.I texted Adam a thank-you. I’d just started eating the chocolate muffin when he texted backPut that onedown and eat the bran. It’s better foryou.”