“You are going to die at how good these photos look.” Haddy plops down on the sofa beside me. “Mav and Spanky are supermodels.”
“You don’t have to convince me.” I shake my head. “Iknew from the start Ryan wouldn’t be my assistant for long. He has a great eye.”
“He wants to include Lucy in the pictures with Gavin and Patsy tomorrow.”
“Ohhh…” I’m immediately swoony, but Haddy looks worried. “Is that okay?”
Her nose wrinkles, and she tilts her head to the side. “I don’t know. What do you think? We’ve done our best to keep her out of the media, but this is for a good cause… She’s just so little.”
Chewing my lip, I don’t know the right answer. “Talk to your mom. They had you when your dad was a football superstar. See what they think. If it were me, I’d do it, but you know how I feel about dogs.”
“I do.” She boops my nose. “If there’s a dog involved, it can only be a good thing.”
“Oh, come on, I’m not that out of touch.” I lean my head on her shoulder. “Ask Ryan to do both, and when we see what he does, you can decide how you feel. Yes?”
“My best friend’s name is Ryan.” Owen’s deep voice sends a charge through my stomach, making me jump. “It’s funny how things like that make you trust a fellow.”
Tilting my head, I look up at our newest house guest. “He’s not my best friend, but I can vouch for him. He’s a really great guy.”
“I like your idea of seeing the proofs before deciding.” Haddy nods. “You’re the animal coordinator for a reason!”
“We’re in this together after all.” I cover her hand with mine as Maverick cues upSaw.
“Seriously, Mav?” My nose wrinkles. “You know I don’t like all that gore.”
“Gina Grace Bradford.” Maverick takes on a playfullysuperior tone. “The originalSawmovie is often considered the best of the franchise for the way it focuses on suspense and psychological tension rather than graphic violence.”
I squint at him. “Did you just read that on the Internet?”
Haddy snorts, skipping over to the door. “I’ve got to get home, but I’ll leave you two to sort this one out.”
“Owen?” Mav looks over at his handsome new teammate.
“I’ve got to call my daughter. You forget they’re on Eastern time.”
“Some family movie night this is,” he grumbles. “You’ll be sorry when I’m on the ice four nights a week.”
Haddy dances back to him, leaning down to kiss the top of his head. “I’ll have a movie night with you tomorrow. Pick something fun. NotSaw.”
I tell them goodnight as I climb the stairs. I’ve had a nonstop day, and it’s going to be another nonstop tomorrow. I hesitate, making sure Owen is securely in his bedroom before I slip across the hall to take a quick shower, wash my face, and brush my teeth.
Spanky is in his crate downstairs, but I never take a chance with that dog in the house. I’m wrapped in my waffle robe as I skip across the hall into my bedroom.
The walls are covered with framed pictures of Spanky winning Best in Breed and first place in the nonsporting category.
On my bedside table is a picture of my two cousins and me at a Champions game. It was before Gavin moved here, so Haddy and I are in our Number 74Murphyjerseys for Maverick.
A few other players are behind him, and they’re all so tall and fit. Owen Stone’s naked body skates across my brain,and I cuddle deeper beneath my blankets. I think about his shaggy dark hair, square jaw, blue eyes… rounded shoulders, broad chest, lined torso… all the way down to his…
I hear the bathroom door close, and I hesitate, listening. The shower switches on, and I’m flooded with images of Owen Stone’s naked body.
I’ve never been like this about a man before, but he’s so mature and focused. He’s calm and serious, and the low tone of his voice sends tickles through my insides.
He’s older but not too much, and the idea of him being a single dad, slipping upstairs every evening so he can call his little girl, being so committed to taking care of her, being there for her…
The fact he has a body like that is the most delicious icing on the cake. My stomach has been zipping with electricity since that night, and I’ve got to get some relief.
It’s quiet as I reach over to my bedside table to take my battery-operated boyfriend “Bob” from where he’s hidden. Then sliding further under my blankets, I close my eyes listening to the sound of the shower spray, imagining the rivulets of water running down that perfectly sculpted body.
