"Your text said it was911."
"Yeah." Spencer doesn't explain more.
Hudson shakes his head, the wet locks sending water flying across the room. "Okay, I'll bite. Why do I have to watch the dog?"
Spencer smirks—the one I'm learning is a direct indication someone should run away. "She has a tummy ache. I think she was in the trash again."
I put a hand over my mouth so I don’t grimace and give it all away. I bet she has a stomach ache alright.
"I need you to watch her, and if she doesn't seem better in about thirty minutes, let me know and I’ll take her to the vet."
Hudson gives Spencer a questioning look. “This doesn’t seem right."
Spencer tilts his head in the direction of my purse, and I take it as my cue to grab it. "I have to get Joslin to her shift at the hospital. Call me with an update."
Spencer and I both hightail it for the door, trying not to seem suspicious, but Hudson follows us. We’re halfway down the hallway when he sticks his head out. "Spencer! What kind of update?"
Spencer takes my hand as we walk down the carpeted hallway.
“Spencer!” Hudson yells as we walk out of the complex.
We walk out of the complex, the door closing behind us, and head to Spencer’s big truck in the parking lot.
"He's going to kill you when Frankie pukes up a condom," I say, closing the truck door.
Spencer doesn’t hesitate putting the key in the ignition. "Nah. He’s the new guy. It's all part of the job."
I help deliver babies all day. The amount of bodily fluids I see on a routine basis is astronomical, but even I wouldn't want to be on the cleanup for what is going to happen in that apartment soon.
Spencer backs out of the parking lot and stops before making a right turn to get to the hospital. "I'll tell you one thing—no more condoms."
"Agreed." I keep my eye on the apartment complex as we drive away, waiting for Hudson and Frankie to come racing out of the building, but it's all quiet as the parking lot fades into the distance.
CHAPTER TEN
The scent of cinnamon and baked goods fills the air as I sit down in a wooden teal chair in Anessa's bakery. I’ve lived in Pelican Bay my entire life, and I've seen this little corner building as many shops over the years, but her cute, pink bakery is, by far, my favorite. The adorable and tasteful Christmas decorations she’s strewn about the place only help. There’s garland over the fireplace, mistletoe in all the windows, a big wreath on the front door, and Christmas music piping from a speaker.
The one item completely out of place in the little, girly bakery is the group of large, imposing men taking up a considerable amount of space in front of the large window. Anessa's bakery has become the local hangout and meeting place for Ridge’s security firm, even though he owns a state-of-the-art building a few streets over.
"Here's your coffee. One cream, one sugar, and a kiss." Spencer leans over and gives me a quick peck on the lips, just enough to leave me dazed. "Mistletoe," he says pointing up to the ball of red and green leaves hanging above my head.
The action makes me giddy. How many big, muscular guys out there would take a minute to be super sweet? Especially in front of his also tall, imposing, big co-workers? Not many, but Spencer definitely has a romantic side. "Did you plan this?"
He winks. "Of course."
Spencer takes a large bite of a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles and saunters off to join the circle of other hot guys. It appears my guy likes chocolate.
I need to make him a batch of my secret recipe chocolate chip cookies.
And also figure out when I started referring to him as my guy.
"Is Spencer still stalking your work every day?" Tabitha brushes her hands off on her bright pink, full-body apron, sending a cloud of flour everywhere.
I work desperately hard to wipe off the dreamy look on my face while I watch Spencer walk away before I answer.
"It's surveillance," Spencer yells back, making my effort completely wasted.
"Uh-huh," she says, obviously not believing. "I've told Ridge to hurry up. It’s almost Christmas, and I want him around to make some memories of our first year together. The whole holiday is at risk.”
