There was a pause. “No, I got a flat on my way home. The dogs are restless because they’ve been cooped up all day. I need to walk them, and I just don’t have it in me to change that tire tonight.”
“I could change it for you.”
There was a breath of silence. “No, I can do it tomorrow.”
“Why don’t I come by with Bruno? The dogs can play, and I could grab some take-out and a six-pack of beer.” Or maybe his palette was more refined. “Or wine? Tell me what you like and I’ll get it.”
“Beer is fine, but you don’t have to do that.”
“I want to,” I said, realizing that it was true. Jamie and Iwere supposed to meet up to talk shop about the dog festival, but the thought of going home to my empty house—or worse, finding my brother there ready to comment on my empty life—did not appeal. “I could really use some help with these festival plans.”
“Yeah, of course,” Jamie said.
“Unless you’re too tired,” I added. “I don’t mean to be pushy.”
He laughed, a soft, breathy sound that warmed my insides. “I probably would have eaten a package of Oreos for dinner, so I won’t turn down food and beer.”
“Ah, you only want me for my take-out,” I teased. “I see how it is.”
There was a lengthy enough pause for me to run those words back through and realize how flirty they sounded. I winced. I hadn’t intended them that way, but Jamie was just too easy to tease. I could so easily imagine the blush that was spreading across his cheeks.
“You caught me,” he said lightly. “I’mveryhungry.”
I laughed nervously.Thathad sounded a little flirty, as well, but how could I call him on it when I’d started it?
“I better get going then. See you in ten.”
Luckily, Jamie had the presence of mind to text me his address, because I hadn’t thought to ask. I stopped by the liquor store to grab a six-pack of beer, then hit the drive-through next door.
I pulled into the driveway behind Jamie’s little green Beetle about ten minutes later. As I got out, I saw Jamie at the end of the block, his two Labs dragging him along by the leashes. It looked more like they were walking him. Poor guy.
I unbuckled Bruno and set him loose, knowing he would head for his new friends, and gathered the bag of food and six-pack of beer.
“That was fast,” Jamie said. His eyes landed on the logo. “Ooh, I love Squealin’ Pig.”
I scoffed. “It doesn’t come close to the fancy foods you make.”
Jamie waved a hand. “Please, half of catering is presentation over flavor. Besides, no one wants to eat their work all the time, do they?”
I followed him toward the porch, the dogs crowding around our legs and nearly tripping us. We were both seasoned dog owners, carefully sidestepping leashes and nudging away inquisitive noses until we made it through the front door.
“I definitely don’t want to eat my work,” I said, gazing at the pooches crowding us. “That would be sad.”
Jamie laughed. “Lady and Tramp are grateful.”
“Mm-hmm. As if they wouldn’t eat me if push came to shove.”
“Hopefully it never comes to that.”
Jamie bent over to unhook his dogs’ leashes, and I hovered in the doorway, watching. His jeans pulled tight across his ass, highlighting the shape, and?—
Why was I staring? I jerked my gaze away to take in the rest of the room.
There were two couches, one armchair, and a flat-screen television on the wall. The floor was strewn with dog toys. There was a sad-looking Eeyore missing an eyeball and a tail; a grimy rubber ball; and a frayed rope that looked about one tug-of-war from unraveling completely. A half-chewed rawhide treat laid off to one side of the door.
“Sorry it’s such a mess,” Jamie said, following my gaze. He bent to grab up a few of the toys, carrying them to a big dog bed on one side of the room that seemed to be a catchall for dog accessories. “They were pretty bored today.” He shot mea sheepish smile. “Guess I should have brought them to day care again.”
I set the food and drinks on the coffee table. “It’s not making it worse on the days they have to stay home, is it?”
