Curiosity outweighs my resolve to remain neutral, and I follow them into the living room to where Spanky is curled up in his crate sleeping.
“See how happy he is?” Haddy looks from Owen to me. “I didn’t want you to think we were being cruel to Spanky the towel thief.”
“Towel thief?”
“Gigi didn’t tell you?” Her voice rises. “Spanky will steal your towel right off you if you’re not careful.”
“Shit, good to know.” He chuckles, and I’m glad to see him smile instead of frown. He has such a nice smile.
He steps closer, and as I blink up to him, something falls into my eye.
“Oh!” Waving at Haddy, I quickly pass her the baby. “Something’s in my eye!”
“Let me help you.” Owen steps closer as tears flood my vision.
He touches my chin gently, and as he leans closer, I’m surrounded by the clean, masculine scent of cedar and soap.
“Look up if you can.” His voice is low.
“I’ll try…” I whisper, forcing my lids to part as I look in the direction of my eyebrows.
“I don’t see anything.” His thumb lightly slides across the top of my cheek, under my eye, and the pain starts to ease.
His hands are so large, cupping my cheek. My heart beats faster at how close his lips are to mine.
“Does this help?” Haddy turns her phone light on right in my eye.
Again, I yelp as more tears come. They actually seem to do the trick, though. Whatever it is moves to the side of my eye, and relief replaces the pain.
“Here…” Owen lightly touches the corner of my eye, then lowers his hand in front of me. “Eyelash.”
I hold his arm as I look down, and sure enough, a black lash sits on the tip of his finger. Looking up again, our eyes meet, and he smiles. Blue eyes, white teeth, square jaw… it’s a shock of energy through my core, and I wobble, my grip on his forearm tightening.
Now I’m concerned hearts are floating aroundmyeyes.
“Silly eyelash,” I manage to say, doing my best to grab the reins on my racing heart.
“Want to make a wish?” The way he says it makes me bite my lip.
Shaking my head, I force myself to step away from the gorgeous man with the warm hands and gentle touch. My pulse beats between my thighs, and my mind is racing through all the other places his hands might go.
“You’re really good at that.” Haddy’s voice has a tone I don’t like. It’s very,I told you so, and I know she’s plotting how she can matchmake us.
“Comes with being a dad, I guess.” Owen takes a step away from me as he turns to where Spanky is on his feet, coming out of his crate. “So, ah, about this cage, I guess it’s the word I don’t care for.”
“Yeah.” I redirect my thoughts as well, away from the warmth of this massive man holding me in his arms, touching my cheek, looking deep into my eyes. “I guess it does have negative connotations.”
Haddy’s standing between us, bouncing her baby on her shoulder with a smug grin on her lips. “It doesn’t have to.There’s Nick Cage, and umm…The Birdcageis a great old movie!”
Owen takes another step away, putting his hands in his back pockets. “When I played baseball as a kid, we always liked to get in the batting cage.”
“You played baseball?” My head tilts to the side. “What made you switch to hockey?”
He shrugs those lovely, broad shoulders. “I’m better at it?”
“Is that a question?” Haddy asks with a laugh.
“I guess not anymore.” Owen smiles, and that dimple appears beneath his dark scruff.
