Not just any dog.
My dog.
Apparently, he got bored sitting in the box of my truck. The evidence is the fact he’s covered from head to tail in clinging snow. His paws completely caked in ice clumps frozen to his fur, and paw prints marking his path from my truck to a huge snow pile at the corner—which he apparently rolled in—back to the window. Now he stares with gleeful mischief in his eyes, as if he’s proud of how messy he is. His huge eyes peer directly through the window, like he can’t take his eyes off El.
I know the feeling.
She’s that showstopping.
Everything about the way her hair frames her perfect face makes it impossible notto stare.She’s just so unbelievably stunning. My heart rams against my chest being near her. “Yeah.” My smile grows even wider. “That’s my dog. His name’s Lucky. I think he’s being impatient and was trying to find me. Ihad him in my truck. I guess he just hopped out.” Shrugging, I add, “He’s mesmerized by you.”
Her airy laugh leaks out of her lips. “I don’t know why.”
My chest pinches tighter, warning me not to say the words that are about to roll out of my mouth. Not because they are mean, but quite the opposite. I swallow and say, “I know why.”
There’s still a hint of laughter in her voice when her gaze pulls playfully to mine. “Why’s that?”
“He’s never seen a woman as beautiful as you.” Her mascara-clad lashes flutter but our eye lock holds steady, and I can count the beats of my heart slamming against my chest. “I clearly speak dog.”
She throws her head back as her dense laugh fills the air. It’s a beautiful sound that sparks a chuckle to form from deep in my chest, and I join her in her laughter. It’s been a long time since I laughed like this. It’s so effortless to sit here with her. Her gaze slides back to the window, where Lucky still lingers. “If you speak dog, can you tell him it’s rude to stare? It’s making me a little nervous.”
“I can’t tell him that.” I slide to the edge of my seat, steeling my jaw forward. “Because I know how he feels. He’s clearly stunned by your beauty. It’s your fault.”
A rose tint fires on her cheeks, and she shakes her head, matching my gaze. “You’re too much.”
“I’m too much?” My voice ticks up, adding playful inflections as I jerk my thumb back to Lucky, whose nose is still pressed against the glass. “I’m not the one drooling all over the window trying to get to you.” Her giggles fill my confidence, and I playfully tap the glass and say, “Buzz off, Lucky, I saw her first.”
Her laughter upticks even more, her shoulders shaking in synchronization. I sit back in my chair and marvel that I could seriously sit here and listen to her for days. When the last of hercackles die into a playful smile, it feeds my ego even more. “Now what did he say?” She raises her brows at me, challenging me.
“He’s not happy. He wants to fight me for you.” Before I second-guess myself, I take a huge risk and say, “I told him there is no use in fighting, because you’ve already decided that you’re going out with me next.”
“Oh, I have, have I?” Her head takes an angled position, but her smile doesn’t deflate. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. Tomorrow.” I lower my voice, ridding it of all teasing. “After work. I’ll pick you up here.”
Her lips part, and her tongue slides out and runs along her bottom lip before she says in a soft voice, “You said you weren’t looking to get involved with anyone.”
“I’m not,” I rasp, knowing this decision is about to change everything, but with the way she’s looking at me—all the light firing in her eyes—I don’t care. “This is us going out to have fun together without the pressure of dating.”
I glance back at the window, but Lucky has walked away and is loitering by my truck, sniffing the tires.
“So, just going out to have fun?” Her heated gaze pulls mine back to her.
I swallow and reply, “Yes.”
“Okay.” Her bottom lip pushes out, making it incredibly hard not to notice how plush and kissable it is. “I get off work at six. You can meet me here.”
“I’ll be here.” I tip up my cup and finish the last of my coffee, and as I’m trying not to wear out my welcome, I slide off my chair.
“Are you leaving?” Her gaze follows me as I walk to the trash to throw away my empty cup.
“It’s time. I don’t want my dog to get run over, and he’s clearly asking for some trouble since he wants to hang out in the road.” I walk to the door and pause to hit her with a direct gaze one moretime, taking a moment to linger. Then I put my hand on the door handle and push it ajar. “See you tomorrow, El.”
“Bye,” she calls after me, and I leave the shop, all the while my heart is slamming against my chest.
What did I just do?
I didn’t want to go out with anyone.
