“Since I live on the same street as the current talk of the town.”
“Whatever,” I mumble. “I need to walk my dog.”
My dog that is currently rolling around in the Christmas tree where he peed. Great. Someone’s getting a bath today.
I tighten his leash and Boozer whines before giving up the Christmas tree. We don’t make it another block before my phone rings. Geez. Can’t a woman get an hour to sort herself after realizing she’s falling for her boss? The player who will never settle down.
“Hey, Harper.” Speaking of bosses.
“Where are you?”
“I’m walking my dog. What’s wrong? Do you need me to come into work?”
The last thing I want to do is work on my day off. But maybe work will get my mind off of things.
“No.”
“What’s up?” In other words, why is she calling? Harper and I have been working together for years. We’re friendly, but we’re not exactly friends. Although, she didn’t have much time for friends until recently.
“I …um… never mind.” She hangs up and I stare at my phone. What just happened?
“There you are!” Dakota shouts from behind me.
I glance over my shoulder. She’s rushing toward me. When she reaches me, she bends over and gasps for breath.
“Were you out jogging?”
“Yeah. Sure. Out jogging,” she wheezes.
“While wearing jeans and boots?”
She finally catches her breath and stands. “Enough about me. Let’s go have lunch.” She threads her arm through mine.
“Lunch?”
I know Dakota. She comes intoRumrunnerwith her boyfriend, Rhett, whenever the Raider brothers get together. But we’re not friends. Don’t get me wrong. I like her. We just haven’t had the chance to bond yet.
“It’s the meal in between breakfast and dinner.”
I snort. “I’m aware.”
“Oh, look. What a lovely surprise. Blossom and Harper are here, too.” She motions to the two women hurrying toward us.
“Who’s ready for lunch?” Blossom asks when she joins us.
“I’m starving,” Harper adds.
I skid to a halt. “What is going on?”
“I’m going to tell her,” Harper declares.
I narrow my eyes. “Tell me what? What’s going on? Is Adele hurt?” I try to turn around and head back to the house but Harper stops me.
“Adele is fine.” She squeezes my arm before releasing mine. “Everyone is fine.”
“More than fine.” Dakota winks.
Blossom groans. “Please, don’t wink. Whenever you wink, you forget how to walk and bump into someone. Usually a big someone who thinks you’re coming on to him. It never ends well.”
