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Anthony's head perked up from the newspaper he'd been reading when there was a buzz indicating someone wanted to be let into their building. Kate was casting what she thought were subtle looks in his direction from the kitchen nook, which told him this was not unexpected. He folded the paper and set it on the couch beside him. "Are we expecting someone?" he asked, curious and a little wary.
"No," Kate hedged, crossing to press the button that unlocked the building's front door, "we aren't. Didn't you have lunch plans with Simon?"
He waved a hand casually as if batting her words away. "Postponed." She looked suspicious now, so he elaborated, "Amelia isn't feeling well and Daph was in danger of joining." When Kate still didn't speak, Anthony tossed a pointed look at the door. "You realize I'm about thirty seconds from witnessing whatever it is you're trying to hide, right?"
Huffing, she crossed her arms. "Fine! I'm interviewing a dog walker for Newton."
Anthony stood up and walked towards her. "And this is a national secret because..?"
Kate rolled her eyes. "I knew you'd be all Anthony about it."
"Polite, organized and responsible?" he teased.
"Insufferable," she countered dryly.
A knock at the door interrupted what would have undoubtedly been a clever rejoiner and Kate tried to wave him off. Instead he threw an arm around her waist, tugged her to his side and pulled the door open. "Hello, I'm Anthony, Kate's boyfriend." The smile that accompanied this statement was wide and beaming-- it still brought him incredible joy to say the word. Boyfriend.
Kate looked a little sheepish as she added, "It's nice to finally meet you in person, Annie."
"It's nice to meet you both, too," the petite redhead replied cheerfully. "And this handsome fellow must be Newton!"
Kate's grin was almost blinding. "It is. Newton, say hello." Her corgi, a large, fluffy loaf of a dog, danced around their feet excitedly.
"He's certainly enthusiastic," Annie laughed.
Anthony snorted. Kate elbowed him in the side with a sharp look. It said, You were not invited, so behave or I'm banishing you.
Deciding to heed this warning, at least for the moment, Anthony stepped aside. "Come in, Annie. Do you want some water? Or coffee?" (Because he was polite, no matter what Kate claimed.)
"I'm good," she chirped, petting a very happy Newton.
Kate gestured toward the living room. "Let's sit." She led the way to the couch and Anthony sat beside her, throwing his arm across the top. Newton hopped up on her other side and immediately rolled on his back for belly rubs. (Kate always obliged him.)
Annie sat in the plush chair beside the couch, watching the dog with interest. "So tell me about Newton."
"He's the best boy," Kate gushed.
"He's not," Anthony countered, dry tone a clear echo of the one she employed earlier while slandering his character.
Kate's smile became a little brittle, but she soldiered on. "He knows some commands and listens--"
"On only the rarest occasions," Anthony finished with a meaningful look at Kate. Who could forget the one time he'd listened and Anthony ended up soaked? "But he is food motivated, as you can probably tell."
Kate's jaw dropped, cuddling closer to Newton (and away from Anthony). "Are you calling my baby fat?"
He rolled his eyes, refraining from answering her question for both of their sakes. "Sausage is his favorite but he's not picky."
"That's not true!" If Kate had been wearing pearls she'd be clutching them.
"Honey, I've seen him eat gravel and cat poop." He shuddered a little at the memory. "How discerning of a palate could he have?"
"Actually," Annie spoke up, sounding a little uncertain as her eyes darted between them, "dogs eat things like rocks and cat poop because they're scavengers by nature. It's perfectly natural."
"See?" Kate gestured emphatically towards Annie. "He's just being a dog!"
There were many thoughts racing through Anthony's mind but he wisely held his tongue. He could not, however, keep the look of disgust off his face.
"Anyway," Kate stretched the word out, clearly trying to get this interview back on track, "he's really friendly and he loves playing with young children but sometimes bigger dogs try to bully him." Anthony choked. Her gaze cut sharply to her boyfriend and she raised her brows expectantly. "Do you have something to add?"
"Only that I've never seen him struggle to hold his own, darling," he replied.
Kate sighed. "Fine, I might be a little protective--" she placed a finger on Anthony's lips, "no comments from the peanut gallery, please-- but he does require constant supervision. Otherwise he tries to race off and go swimming or chase squirrels."
Annie nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like he has a lot of energy."
"Definitely," Kate confirmed. "That's actually why I want a dog walker-- I'm worried he hasn't been getting enough exercise." She bit her lip for a moment, shooting Anthony an annoyed look. "And the vet did mention he was getting a bit beyond his ideal weight…"
The vet had put it in much more direct terms but Anthony gave Kate's shoulder a squeeze of support. At least she was finally admitting it.
The rest of the interview went pretty quickly as Annie and Kate ironed out logistics. Everyone was smiling when Annie said her goodbyes, even Newton.
As soon as the door shut behind her, however, Kate whipped around and pointed an accusing finger toward Anthony. "What was that?"
"What?" He was pretty sure he knew the answer but better to hear it directly from Kate.
"How could you be so unkind to poor Newton?" she demanded.
"Honey," Anthony put his hands on her shoulders and met her gaze evenly, "I wasn't being unkind. I was being honest. Anyone helping with Newton should know what they're getting into."
"But he is the best boy," she said mournfully.
Anthony pulled her closer. "He is a menace." Kate was poised to argue when he kissed her nose. "And so are you."
She was fighting a smile now. "So you do love him."
"I love you both." Anthony kissed her again, this time on the mouth. "But he's still not sleeping on the bed."
"We'll see," Kate said, tone challenging. But she pulled him back to her before he could argue further.
(Newton did sleep on the bed that night, as it happened. Lucky for Kate-- or perhaps by her wicked design-- Anthony was too well sated to complain. Much.)