Junie tried to laugh it off, the sound thin even to her own ears. “It’s… it’s nothing. Preston’s just being Preston. He’ll get the hint eventually.”
Kenzie’s expression darkened. “Tanner is going to have a full-on conniption when he hears about this.”
Junie closed the album quickly, her heart racing. “I told Tanner I could take care of it. I called Preston. I was very clear.”
She had been. She’d been polite but firm. Preston had just said yes to everything and then told her she didn’t really mean it. Of course, she kept that part to herself.
Cherry rose from her stool and sauntered over, lips curled in distaste. “It’s incredibly rude to open gifts in front of other people, you know. Some of us weren’t invited to the little party.”
Before Junie could respond, Cherry fumbled her coffee cup. “Oops,” she said sweetly as the cup tipped, spilling dark liquid across the photo album and straight onto Junie’s uniform—the only clean one she had left in the shop.
Cherry’s eyes glittered with satisfaction. “Gosh, Junie, that was really clumsy. Why in the world would you bump into my cup like that? Now you’re a mess. But don’t worry, I doubt anyone will even notice.”
The words landed like a slap. Heat rushed to Junie’s face as several customers turned to stare.
Kenzie stood up fast. “We’ve got the shop, Junie. Go grab another uniform.”
Junie nodded, throat tight, and slipped around the counter and out the back door before she created a scene in her own store. The cool air outside helped a little, but her mind was still spinning with hurt and embarrassment. There were no clean uniforms in her office, so it was off to her home, Rainbow’s Edge, for anotherone.
That was when she saw him.
The little stray dog was standing by the dumpster, watching her with those big, wary eyes. He didn’t run this time and was wagging his tail.
“Hey, Pup,” she whispered, crouching down. “You need a bath and a trip to the vet, don’t you? Come here, sweet boy.”
To her surprise, he actually came. He gave a slight whimper as she scooped him gently into her arms. He was lighter than he looked—all skin and bones and trembling hope.
Junie carried him to her car and settled him in the passenger seat. “Don’t get any bright ideas,” she told him as she started the engine. “This is a one-time thing. I can’t keep you. That’s why I’m only calling you Pup.” She hesitated. “And no pooping on the seats.”
The little dog tilted his head, ears perked like he was actually listening. He really did look like a long-haired wiener dog with that crooked little smile. Turning onto the main road, her phone rang. Tanner’s name flashed on the screen. Her heart did that familiar silly flip.
She answered, trying to sound normal. “Hey.”
“You aren’t driving while you’re talking on the phone, right?” His deep voice rumbled through the speaker, already sounding stern.
Junie winced. “Um… maybe, you aren’t calling me while I’m driving, are you?”
Tanner let out a low growl that sent shivers down her spine. “Junie. That’s not safe. We can talk later.”
“I’m almost there,” she said quickly, cheeks burning. “Oh, wait, I picked up that stray dog again. The one I told you about. He finally let me get close. Do you think maybe Trace could look at him for me?”
There was a pause. Then Tanner’s voice dropped into that low, commanding tone that always made her tummy flutter. “If you were my Little girl right now, you’d be sitting on a hot ass for not being safe. You know that, right?”
Junie’s breath caught. Her friends’ words from earlier echoed inher head.He’s not looking at you like a little sister anymore.For the first time, she wondered if they might actually be right. He had never threatened to tan her ass before.
“I’ll be careful,” she whispered, her voice small.
“Good girl,” he murmured, softer now. “Call Trace when you get there. I’m sure he’d be glad to help. And, Junie?”
“Yeah?”
“Be safe. I mean it.”
She smiled despite everything. “I will, but Tanner?”
“Yes?”
“Why did you call?”
