The Designated Mate novel Chapter 26

"I looooooove you," Grace dragged on before snickering and hanging up. I finished off the last of my chilled drink before placing way too much money on the table and dragging Grace from the restaurant.

I gasped dramatically before yelling, "oh my God, Grace!"

"What?!" She demanded, her entire body on alert.

"Pet store," I stated while pointing towards a shop a little ways away. She didn't say anything in reply, just began dragging me towards the store with vigor.

Entering the shop, we both almost started crying when a hoard of golden retriever puppies jumped up on the little enclosure that was caging them in and began yipping for our attention.

"I'm getting five," Grace exclaimed seriously before marching over and beginning to coo and pet them. I followed her lead, going even farther and picking one up so I could cradle it in my arms.

I didn't think it was more than ten minutes, but before I knew it Jason - along with two other guys I'd never seen before - pushed the door to the shop open and shot us annoyed glares.

"I told you this is where she'd be," Jason grumbled before coming over to Grace and coaxing the puppy out of her hands. He was whispering in her ear, negotiating with her it sounded like before she eventually put the dog down. They herded us like cattle out of the store, apologizing to the owner as they went.

"I'm so sleepy. Will someone please carry me?" I half-asked, half-whined. Jason was already dragging Grace along while supporting all of her weight, so I swiveled my gaze to the two men he brought with him. Both of them shared a look before glancing back at me with unease.

"Please?" I begged pathetically before holding my arms out like a child. The shorter of the two sighed before coming towards me and picking me up bridal style. My body drooped in his arms as I lost all voluntary control of my muscles.

"Knox! Why did you do that? That was horribly impolite! I didn't even have a chance to thank him for getting me home safe," I scolded, furrowing my brows in anger at him. He huffed before directing his glare at me instead of the direction in which the man had disappeared off to.

"Why were you even with him in the first place? Where did you go?" He husked, his words coming out more like a reprimand than a question.

"Grace and I went into town to get my painting supplies and do some other shopping, so while we were out we decided to have lunch as well. I didn't think the drinks we had at the restaurant were that strong, but they hit me and Grace pretty hard so we had to call her mate and his friends to come pick us up and take us home," I explained, my slurred speech having gone away.

"Next time, you call me. I will come and take care of you," He demanded. I narrowed my eyes at him before shrugging my shoulders and nodding my head. It was nice to have someone who seemed to genuinely want to take care of me and make sure I was okay.

"What were you doing on my roof?" I asked as he guided me into the house with a hand on the small of my back.