“There’s this dog.”
“There’s always a dog or a cat. A hamster. You can’t save the world.”
“He’s a senior named Petey. He’s a German Shepherd and the sweetest good boy. I thought maybe one of the guys on the force could give him a good home. What about your uncle?”
“I’ll call him if you agree to give us another shot.”
“I should have known this would come with strings. You cheated on me. Not once. Not twice. Multiple times.”
The more I hear, the more my blood boils.
“I’ve changed.”
I roll my eyes. What a lying piece of shit. People don’t change. They get better at hiding who they are.
“I didn’t come here to get back together. I want to find Petey a home. His owner passed away, and you know how hard it is to find senior dogs a home.”
“Come on, babe. You know you miss me. We’re good together. One shot. That’s all I’m asking. I worry about you living in that neighborhood. You know what happened last night. If anything happened to you…I’d never forgive myself.”
“Alex,” she sighs, sounding deflated. She’s going to give into this asshole and then she’s going to blab her mouth about the alley.
I’ve got to do something. Before I realize what the fuck is coming out of my mouth, I’m on my feet and tugging her out of the booth. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ve heard enough.”
Her wide eyes meet mine, swirling with confusion, while a hint of relief curls at the corners of her mouth.
“Who the fuck is this guy?”
“None of your business, Alex,” she huffs as I drag her toward the exit.
I don’t look back to see if he’s following us. I don’t need him to get a good look at my face and recognize me. Keeping a steady pace, I yank on Ruby’s hand, forcing her to keep up.
“Where are we going?”
Fuck if I know.
I lead her down a side alley and into a doorway out of sight, pushing her up against the door. I brace my palms on either side of her, above her shoulders. The two of us stare at each other, searching for answers to questions neither of us have uttered aloud.
I should push her around a little. Not enough to hurt her, just enough to scare her. And yet, as we stand here with heavybreaths passing between us and the floral scent of her perfume invading my senses, I can’t bring myself to do it.
“What have you told him about me?”
“N-nothing. I swear.”
“You better not be lying.”
“What would I tell him?” she challenges showing me a glimpse of her fire.
Under other circumstances I’d be trying to fuck her.
Something tells me she’d be worth every ounce of trouble she’d bring. I don’t fuck around with anyone who has ties to the police. It goes against everything I know. “You really dated that asshole?”
She glances down, not meeting my eyes. Pink stains her cheeks. “You don’t scare me.” She looks up at me through her lashes. Her pouty cupid’s bow lips perfect for kissing.
No, they beg to be kissed.
I lick my lips as both of our heads gravitate closer.
Too damn close.
