“You hate dogs.”
“Butyoudon’t.”
She swallowed. “You aren’t needed.”
He lifted a brow and turned his head, very obviously looking at the half dozen people waiting with their dogs.
“Fine,” Sky huffed. “We need help, but we don’t have any more hoses or buckets.”
“Oh, Sky, don’t be silly, we can work it out,” Dolly scolded. “Grab a dog, find some water, and start washing.”
Damn it, Dolly.Sure, what she said was correct. But her butting in was another thing that wasn’t needed.
“Thanks, Dolly.” Becket looked back at her. “Is that okay, Sky?”
No. But she couldn’t say that. Theydidneed his help, and her insisting otherwise would just be immature and…not smart.
When she didn’t respond, he stepped closer, that pine scent once again toying with her. “It’s just a dog wash.”
“I know.” She squirmed under his scrutiny. “Fine. There are buckets of water at each washer’s station, and Dolly will give you some shampoo.”
“Here you go, darlin’.”
He took the bottle from Dolly and dipped his head. “Thanks.”
Sky nibbled her bottom lip and watched him walk away. All million feet of him.
She shook her head.Snap out of it, Sky. You’ve got a fundraiser to run.
Over the next hour, they moved through dogs a little more quickly, and a new round of volunteers arrived, including Clara and Indie. She should’ve been focusing on what a huge success the fundraiser was and all the money they were raising. But too much of her attention was going to how good Becket’s shirt looked when it was soaked and stuck to his muscled chest.
Why did she find him even more attractive with a dog in his arms?
She gritted her teeth and walked over to Clara and Indie’s station. “Hey. Are you two doing okay?”
“Oh my gosh, I am in doggy heaven!” Clara gushed, as she cuddled Mr. Bruno’s Puli dogs. The dogs required special care to rinse and shampoo out their cords, so Clara and Indie had been given very specific instructions.
“I must admit,” Indie said. “I’m starting to think you have the best job in the world. You just get to hang out with these guys all day.”
Sky grinned. “I’m definitely lucky.”
Clara wet her lips and looked behind her before returning her gaze to Sky. “Are you and Becket okay? I couldn’t help but notice that you haven’t really spoken to each other.”
He hadn’t told them? “We’re working through some things, but we’re okay.”
If “okay” included barely talking to each other.
Clara’s brows flickered. “If you ever want to talk about it, I’m a great listener. And I’ll always take your side.”
Sky chuckled. “Thanks.” She shot a look over her shoulder. Yep, he was still looking far too good in his wet shirt. But now he wasn’t alone. Holden was with him. He briefly clenched Becket’s shoulder before heading in their direction.
Sky looked back at Clara, whose eyes had grown wide.
“I didn’t know he’d be here,” Clara said quietly.
“Um, yeah, Jesse volunteered him. Is that okay?”
Clara’s mouth opened and closed. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
