I delight in the way his voice cracks like a teenager.
“Damn, I missed it.” She snaps her fingers and grabs me to haul me back for the event.
“Hey, I’ll give you a show anytime, anyplace.” He trails along behind her like one of the puppies up for adoption. Tongue hanging out and all.
Chapter 4 - Allison
“Perfect timing, Mrs. Crowder. We just got these pups back from their walks and they’re ready for their photo ops.” Paige gives me a friendly smile.
“It’s actually Campbell now.” I correct, politely.
“Congratulations.” She gives me a smile back that makes me stutter.
“E-excuse me?”
“Sorry. Are you not happy about it?” Her brow creases with worry. “I watched my parents go through a terrible divorce as a kid. It was hard but seeing how much happier my mom was made it worth it. You have a similar… glow.”
“Thanks... I think.” I crack a smile at the absurdity. “We have the players lined up and Emalyns doing the final touches for their outfits now. I believe she has her assistant photographer, Blake, helping today. It should move along rather quickly.”
We stand around and chat while Emalyn is fixing hair and directing Blake how she wants props turned and moved. I find out Paige is just a volunteer for the shelter and helping coordinate events like this heals her soul. Herwords. She invites me to attend a class at her Pilates studio.
“It doesn’t matter how much time has passed, after having a baby, I will always say yes to a Pilates class. Which studio do you teach at?”
“I actually own Twist and Tone; it’s like five minutes from here.”
“No way! The one with the smoothie bar?” I nearly jumped up and down with enthusiasm. “I go there every Tuesday and Thursday! How have I never seen you there?!”
“I volunteer with animals on those days.” She grins, sharing in my excitement. We yap back and forth like old friends from there. At one point she’s smacking my arm as we giggle like schoolgirls. Until I catch Emalyn's eyebrows bouncing up and down at me from across the room.
She’s oiling up the men for the photos. Fitz just looks down at her with a flirty smile. She gives him a wink and immediately puts her professional mask back on.
Liam knows just as well as me and everyone else that Em and Ronan have been dancingaround each other forever. She’s got it as bad for him as he does her, though she’d never admit it.
Ronan doesn’t know that though. That’s why he’s currently glaring daggers at Liam. Blake hesitantly grabs the bottle of oil, like he’s unsure if he is supposed to do the same as Em. Ronan snatches it from the lanky assistant and turns his glare on him instead.
I giggle until I see her move onto the next player in line.
Tate.
Ugh, why does this man have to not only be so fine but also do it right in front of my face? The audacity—he walks in like that, and my body wakes up in ways I haven’t felt in years.
Tate is in full costume for December. A Santa hat, snug fit Santa pants with his suspenders hanging and boots on his feet. The golden retriever pup lays lazily by his feet, gnawing on a toy.
A pang of something green and ugly hits me in the chest when he turns that smile on Em. She says something, and he just shakes his head. She says something else that makes him nod. I’m scowling at the back of her beautiful head before I catch myself.
He’s not mine.
He glances over the top of her head. I quicklyglance away and pretend to be busy with Jordan’s pup.
“She’s a cutie. Maybe Alexis and I should get one to grow up with Rosie…” I don’t listen to the rest of what he says. He can gush about his girlfriend and three-month-old daughter for ages.
A few of the men on the team including Ryan are playing on the ground with their pups and getting content to promote the shelter on their individual social media.
I sneak a peek back at the defenseman. My cheeks burn when I realize he’s already looking at me. His smirk turns mischievous. My heart takes a tumble then starts beating on rapid fire. Still, his gaze holds me captive.
He locks eyes with me, tilts the bottle, and lets the oil streak down his chest. I inhale sharply when heat coils low in my belly.
I don’t look away.
