Stalked By My Boyfriends Best Friend

Too Sweet

Luna POV

I stare at the box, hesitating, but eventually reach for the note attached to it.

Happy Birthday. I hope this cheers you up. You looked rather frustrated this morning.

I feel a chill crawl down my spine. He saw me this morning? I untie the bow with shaky hands, pulling open the lid. My eyes widen in shock. Inside the box, curled up on a small blanket, is a puppy. A real, live puppy. I reach in cautiously, and the tiny creature stirs, blinking up at me. Relief washes over me—it’s alive.

Damn this man. My emotions are a mess. Part of me wants to smile and melt at the sight of the little thing, but the other part of me screams that this is so wrong. I can’t enjoy a gift from my stalker, even if it’s an adorable puppy. But as I hold the small bundle of fur, I can’t help but soften.

I lift the collar and check the tag. Little Bear. He named it Little Bear? I let out a short, surprised laugh despite myself. “So, Little Bear, any chance you can talk and tell me who my stalker is?” I murmur, cradling the puppy as it wriggles in my arms.

The reality of the situation hits me. I have nothing for the puppy—no food, no bed, no toys. Sighing, I set Little Bear down and walk to the kitchen, grabbing a small bowl and filling it with water. Has it even been fed today? The thought makes my stomach turn.

“Alright, Little Bear,” I say, scooping it back up, “I guess we’re going shopping.”

I head back out, locking the door behind me, the puppy perched on my lap as I drive to the pet store. Inside, I wander aimlessly, unsure of where to even begin.

“Can I help you?” a*****e employee smiles at me, handing me a basket.

“Yeah, actually, do you know what kind of dog this is?” I ask, holding up Little Bear.

She takes a closer look. “Looks like a Papillon. Didn’t the person who gave him to you tell you?”

“Uh, no... she was a gift,” I reply awkwardly.

“He, not she,” the woman corrects me with a laugh. “Looks like you weren’t expecting him.”

I smile weakly. “Nope, no warning at all. I don’t have anything for him.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you get everything you need,” she says kindly, guiding me through the store. Before I know it, my cart is filled with more items for the puppy than I’ve bought for myself all year. I guess that’s what happens when you don’t expect a new pet.

Once home, I set everything up for Little Bear, my mind racing as I try to figure out how to explain this to Justin. I snap a picture of the puppy and type out a message:

Warning... When you come over tonight, there’s a puppy. Courtesy of my totally not creepy stalker.

I hit send and feel the weight of it settle in. This is too much, even for me. I make myself some food, eat quickly, and then hop in the shower. Afterward, I slip into the lingerie I bought earlier, snap a picture, and send it to Justin with a caption:

Waiting for you to arrive!

He’d confirmed earlier that he’d come over right after work, but now it’s been a while, and there’s still no reply. Trying to shake off the unease creeping in, I grab a drink and sit down with Little Bear, opening my book to distract myself.

A buzz from my phone sends a jolt of excitement through me, but when I open the message, my stomach drops.

You brought it in? Leave it outside. Don’t accept gifts from him.

My brows furrow in confusion. What? He ignored my nearly-naked picture to complain about the puppy?

It’s a puppy, Justin! I can’t just leave it outside. It’ll die.

I wait for his response, but when my phone buzzes again, I feel a pit growing in my stomach.

Then enjoy the company of your stalker’s pet. I’m not coming.

I stare at the screen in disbelief. Is he serious? I feel my hands shaking as I pour the rest of my drink down my throat, fighting the sudden tears welling up in my eyes. How could he be so cold about this? It’s a puppy, for God’s sake.

Feeling utterly deflated, I grab another drink and sink into the chair, Little Bear curling up in my lap. The day has taken a strange, unsettling turn, and now I’m left alone with a puppy and a deep sense of disappointment. My body feels heavy, and before I know it, I’ve fallen asleep, cradling the puppy in my arms.