“Sure. I’ll just tell her you helped me out with Dogtober planning. She’s really too busy, so she’ll be grateful.”
“Well, okay, I guess…it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
He smiled wide. “Okay, then. I’ll see you Monday. I can give you a tour of the place and make sure you’re comfortable leaving your guys in our care.”
My gaze roamed over him, from his broad shoulders to his large hands, but this time, I was seeing more than a sexy potential date. I was seeing a strong, confident, capable man.
“I’m not worried about that. I know you’ll take good care of them. You seem like the kind of guy who takes good care of everyone.”
His eyes met mine, a searching look in them. “I guess I do. That’s a good guess.”
I shrugged. “It’s not hard to see.”
He smoothed a hand over his beard. “Oh.”
I gestured toward Lady, who had her head resting against his thigh. “My girl loves you already.” I forced my tone to stay light. “I bet all the girls do.”
He chuckled, eyes creasing at the corners. “Well, notalways the right ones.” He stroked Lady’s ear. “But Lady is definitely my type.”
I laughed. “Furry?”
“Four-legged,” he confirmed. “I’ve always been better with dogs than people.”
“Seems like you’re doing just fine with people right now,” I said. “This person, anyway.”
He waved a hand. “I’m good at putting on a smile, saying the right things, but usually I’d just rather be home with Bruno, or at BowWow with the other pooches. I don’t connect with people. Not in the same way.”
“Oh.” My chest tightened. It was silly, but I was thinking maybe we did have a connection. Not aromanticone, but friendship, at least. I liked Hank. He seemed solid, like the kind of guy who was trustworthy and reliable, but if that was all an act…
“Oh, shit, no. I don’t mean it’s like that with you,” he said.
“Okay.”
“Seriously, Jamie, you’re one of the first people I’ve really clicked with.”
I gave him a skeptical look. “Was it the awkward date mix-up that sold you on me, or my dog trampling all over your meeting? Or, wait, maybe me tripping and falling on you. There’s so many good times to choose from.”
Hank grinned. “Can I say all of the above?”
I shook my head. “You’re crazy.”
“Maybe, but we did toast to awkward friendship,” he reminded me. “Might as well embrace it now.”
I laughed, because otherwise I’d probably cry. “Yeah, okay. Awkward, I can handle.”
“Good. I’ll see you Monday, then.”
I watched as he got into his car, still a little bemused thathe’d ever want to see me again after the comedy of errors today.
Hank was hot and untouchable. I’d probably do better to steer clear. But he was also sweet, and he said he didn’t have friends. It’d be wrong to ghost him now. It was practically my duty as a decent human to see him again, right?
It had nothing to do with the way my mouth watered for him, the way that hard chest felt against me when I’d fallen today, or the way his lips had beckoned to me every time they spread in a smile.
I’d just put him in the friend zone. No problem. I could get over this pull I felt toward him. It was only there because when we’d met, I’d expected him to be my date. Soon, he’d be nothing more than another straight, untouchable friend.
And I was just fine with that.
CHAPTER 11
