“This really smart guy told me about it.” She squeezed his hand.
“That guy didn’t think it would apply to himself.”
“Why don’t you ask your siblings if they want to take over Dionysus?” Zita asked.
“There’s not enough time to get them up to speed.”
“So you stay as acting CEO until they are. You can always plan your business at the same time.”
David sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”
She hugged him. “We can set some goals this afternoon.”
He smiled. “All right.”
Bess ran over and looked up at Zita expectantly.
“These two need a run,” she said. “It won’t take them long to tire out, and then we can find somewhere to have the sandwiches I brought.”
“I’m not much of a runner.”
“That’s fine. I’ll take them for a loop around the park and meet you on the other side.”
Saint ran over, his coat wet and muddy. Zita jumped in front of David, shepherding Saint away. Saint bounded next to her and shook himself, mud and water flicking all over her. She groaned. Of course her dogs would find the only puddle on the field. She was covered in mud splatters.
David winced. “Thanks for taking the hit. You’re my hero.” He pulled her close and kissed her slowly.
She smiled against his lips as she ran her hands down his back to his butt and squeezed. Then she drew back. Now was not the time to get frisky, especially with the dogs around. “No problem. I won’t be long.”
“See you on the other side.”
Zita set off, stopping every now and then to throw the ball for her dogs. Halfway across the field her foot slipped and she flailed to regain her footing. Bess thought she was playing a game and jumped around her. Zita leaned back to avoid stepping on her, landing with a plop on her butt. She swore as the water seeped into her pants.
Saint raced over with the ball in his mouth. He dropped it at Zita’s feet and the two dogs rolled in the mud.
She groaned. It was too late to stop them.
Zita grabbed the ball and carefully got to her feet. She brushed ineffectually at the mud on her butt and legs. She was filthy, and there was nothing she could do about it.
After the dogs had had their fill of the mud bath, she kept them busy throwing the ball, while she watched David on the far side of the field. He had his phone out and it looked as though he was taking photos.
He was an interesting combination. When she’d first met him, she’d taken him for a rich boy, not sure if his interest in learning more about her foster sisters was genuine. But he’d really captured her heart when he’d volunteered to help out last weekend. To stay and put up with all the crazy that was her household showed a great deal of fortitude.
He was a lot like her, going with the family expectations so he didn’t let anyone down. She wanted to help him.
She made her way across the field, and her dogs barked and played together, having a fabulous time. She grinned at their antics, relaxing a little.
When she reached David, she called her dogs to her side, putting them on their leashes. “How’s it going?”
“Great.” He turned to her and his eyes widened. “What happened to you?” His mouth twitched.
“I found a mud pit.” She wanted to take her shoes off and squeeze the water out of her socks.
“Ah.” He grinned then. “Those towels in your car are going to come in handy again.”
She rolled her eyes. “Are you hungry?”
“Yeah.”
