“There’s something different about that cream cheese that I can’t quite place,” Marcy says as she wipes her mouth with a napkin. We’ve been busy this morning with some unfortunate poop incidents in three of the kennels. Thankfully, I got us all bodysuits to wear for those types of situations, so our work clothes were unharmed. Marcy was very happy for the purchase today.

But we’re finally able to sit down and enjoy some bagels.

“It’s vegan cream cheese.”

“Ah.” Marcy nods. “That makes sense. It wasn’t bad, just different.”

“You get used to it after a while. I bought the normal cream cheese but in plain. Sorry, I should have said something.”

“No, that’s fine. I really like chives in my cream cheese, and that’s why I went for it. It was different, but I could see myself getting used to it. But for the volunteers, let’s make sure we label the container.” She chuckles.

“Good idea. I’ll go get—”

My words fall short as three very tall, very broad-shouldered men step into the lobby of the shelter. All wearing black Rebels shirts that cling to their chests. Two have their hair done, while the one I know is wearing a black Rebels hat, turning him into that dark, sinister character everyone knows on the TV screen.

“Maddox,” I say on a labored breath. “Wh-what are you doing here?”

“Hey babe,” he says, coming up to me and giving me a hug. He turns me to the guys behind him. “You remember Linc.” Lincoln pulls me into a hug as well. “And this is Jason Orson, our catcher.” And like a pinball, I bounce between the sturdy men as Jason hugs me as well.

“I’ve heard so much about you.” Jason leans over to Lincoln and says, “She is fuck-hot.”

My eyes widen as Lincoln says, “Told you.” He gives me a sly once-over and then winks, just as Maddox retrieves me back to his side.

“Um . . . hello?” Marcy says. And when we all turn around, I see dazzled stars in her eyes as she takes in the brigade of hot baseball players.

Unsure of what’s happening, I say, “Marcy, this is my friend Maddox and uh, his friends Lincoln and Jason.”

“Your friend is Maddox Paige from the Chicago Rebels?” The poor lady looks like she’s about to faint.

Being the kind soul that he is, Maddox walks up to Marcy and lends a hand. “Nice to meet you. Kinsley has told me so much about you and all the wonderful things you’re doing here at the shelter.” Just as he finishes, Herman comes up to him and nuzzles his nose against Maddox’s black jeans.

Oh. Lord. As he squats down and scratches Herman behind the ears while saying, “Hey old man,” I think an ovary popped. Is that a thing? It’s got to be a thing . . .

“It’s so wonderful to have you here.” Marcy brims with excitement. “Would you like a tour?”

“Would love one,” Jason says. “And I’m feeling like a good cry today, so please tell me all the stories about the animals.” He takes Lincoln by the shoulder and moves him past me and Maddox.

“I don’t want to cry,” Lincoln says, looking worried as he passes Maddox.

But all Maddox says is, “Make sure you do some stories. Use the link I gave you for the swipe-up.”

Marcy directs them through the doors toward the kennels, leaving me alone and dumbfounded with Maddox.

Smiling, he says, “Hey.”

“Uh . . . hey.”

He stuffs his hands in his pockets and rocks on his heels, looking like the boy I grew up, not the man I’ve fallen in love with. “How are you?”

“A little shocked, quite emotional, and incredibly happy.”

“Good emotional?”

“Very good emotional.” I take a step forward and wrap my arms around him. “I can’t believe you came to visit me.”

“Not just visit you, babe.” He lifts my chin up. “We came to promote the shelter. Combined, we have over ten million followers on Instagram and we thought it would help if we walked through, talked about the shelter, and add a link to show where people can adopt and help.”

Tears well in my eyes. “Seriously?”

“Of course.” He wipes a stray tear. “Even though I might put up a stink about a lot of things, I still believe in what you believe in. This shelter means something to you, but also to me. Animals like Herman deserve to find forever homes.”

My eyes light up. “Are you saying Herman found a forever home?”

“No,” he says quickly and laughs. “Don’t even try.”

“He loves you so much.”

Maddox shakes his head in humor. “Why don’t you show me around?”

Not pushing my luck, I say, “Right this way.” But he stops me, and takes my hand in his, linking our fingers together. Then he nods for us to continue. My heart can’t take this, any of this. The intimate hold, the way he’s looking at me, the fact that he’s here, with two of his friends to help the shelter. If I wasn’t already in love with him, I would be now.

Marcy took the guys down cat row, so I veer in the other direction, showing him all the dog kennels. I introduce him to a few dogs, while he creates stories on his Instagram about every dog he meets. He speaks with such conviction, that if I followed him as a fan, I’d find a way to support the cause.

Down the hall, I can hear Jason and Lincoln laughing with Marcy and if I were to guess, I’d say this is probably one of her best days to date—showing around hunky baseball players who have no qualms about sharing the shelter all over their social media.

“This is my office,” I say, pointing to the small room that has furniture from the eighties barely held together. “There isn’t much, but I plan to decorate at some point.”

Maddox peeks his head inside and nods. “Have any pictures of me in here?”

“No.” I chuckle. “Do you want me to have a poster of you?”

“Would add a lot to the space.” He winks and we keep moving on. I take him down cat row and show him how crowded this section is. Our dogs seem to be adopted a lot faster than our cats, which always makes me sad. Cats need love too.

“Is this the main man?” Maddox asks, coming up to Chip’s window.

“Yes. This is Chip. The longest resident.”

“Reminds me of Grumpy Cat, with a sour look on his face and scary eyes.”

“He’s a sweetheart though. I spend a few minutes a day with him and he comes right up to me, basks in some scratches behind the ears. He also likes to lick my finger.”

“Lick your finger? Really?”

“It’s an odd sensation that I seem to be addicted to.”

Maddox just laughs. “You’re really fucking weird, but it’s why I love you.”

“One of the many reasons.” I smile up at him as his hands fall to my hips and then slide up my sides.

“One of many,” he sighs, right before reaching into his back pocket and handing me an envelope.

“What’s this?” I hold it up.

He nods at the envelope. “Open it.”

Confused, I tear it open and immediately my throat tightens as I notice the check inside. And then a gasp escapes me when I see the amount of money with the shelter’s name attached to it. “Maddox, what—”

“Spoke to some of the guys, and they all wanted to chip in to help the cause.”

“This isn’t just chipping in, this is half a million dollars.”

He shrugs. “I might have chipped in a little more. I want to help you make a difference and even though I can’t dedicate my time, I can promote the shelter and help with fixing up the place where it needs help.”

“I can’t take this. It’s too much.”

He wipes a tear away. “It’s not for you, Kin, it’s for the animals.”

“But . . . why?” I ask, staring down at the check. “Why are you doing this?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” he says, moving in closer so our bodies are rubbing against each other. “I love you, Kinny, and I would do anything to help you.” His hand cups my cheek. “I want you to be happy, and I know finding homes for these animals would bring you the most joy.”

I nod, unable to speak.

His other hand cups my cheek as well and he tilts my head back. To steady myself, I rest my hands against his chest and marvel in how strong and sturdy it is. I feel like my entire body is about to wilt.

Tears stream down my cheeks and he keeps wiping them away, his eyes intent on mine. I watch as his tongue peeks out and wets his lips.

His gaze falls to my mouth.

I lick my lips.

I can’t stop shaking.

What is happening? “You’re so goddamn beautiful, do you know that?” he says, stealing every ounce of air from my lungs. “Even when you cry, you’re gorgeous. It makes it difficult to keep my hands off you, to keep my body away from yours. To hold back any longer.”

I’m suffocated by his words, by his proximity, by the way he’s holding me so close. It feels like nothing else around us exists. My chest rises and falls in deep inhales and exhales, my pulse vibrates crazily, the beat of my heart holding an erratic rhythm that doesn’t make any sense other than it’s trying to tell me something.

He is it.

He’s the one.

There will never be a man greater than the one holding you right now.