Page 72 of Wag More Bark Less

“We’ll see if I’m still willing to wear it after tonight’s over. You’ve talked this movie up quite a lot, so the bar is set pretty high.”

“By the time the end credits roll, you’ll be begging me to watch the next one.”

I held his gaze, the temptation to join the pair on the couch overwhelming enough to convince me I should take the adjacent recliner instead. But before I could claim it, my phone pinged. Jason’s name flashed on my screen, and I silently groaned and turned off the volume.

“Everything okay?”

Okay, so not so silently.

“Yep.” I wanted to tell Luke the truth. The man deserved to know why he found me in a wedding dress that looked as though it got caught in a wood chipper. Honesty seemed the least I could offer him considering how he opened up out at Whispering Lake. Clearly, dredging up his past wasn’t something he did on a regular basis.

But I didn’t like how his easy, carefree expression morphed so quickly into rigid concern. I’d be damned if I was going to let my ex ruin the evening after all it took to get to this lighthearted, comfortable place with Luke.

“I’m just going to put this back on the charger,” I said, turning away to avoid eye contact. I suspected he had a sixth sense something was off. “Battery’s still pretty low.”

I returned my phone to its charger and placed the screen face down on my nightstand. When I returned, Luke met me with a plate of pizza.

“I know it’s a big ask, but you’ll have to trust me,” he said, nodding at the plate.

“What is this?”

“Patty calls it The Autumn Orchard. There’s sliced apples, caramelized onions, bacon, brie, and a balsamic glaze.” I’d never had apples on a pizza, but it smelled divine. My stomach growled in approval. “But if it’s too weird for you, the other half is pepperoni.”

Overcome by curiosity more than hunger, I took a tentative bite. There was a smoky sweetness to it that made me eager to take another bite.

“What do you think?”

“It’s like a charcuterie board on a warm, crispy crust.”

“It’s good, right?”

“It’s better than good.”

“I thought Ellie would approve on account of the bacon.” He glanced at my pup. “I hope it’s okay that I gave her a couple pieces.”

“Of pizza?” I asked, my eyes wide.

“No,” he said, laughing. “Of bacon.”

“Oh. She is a sucker for bacon.” I looked at my dog because it was certainly safer than looking up at the man who selected a pizza flavor based on Ellie’s preferences.

Friends, I repeated in my head. Just friends.

I carried my plate to the recliner. Two cans of apple cider were stationed on the end table between the chair and sofa, along with napkins. The pizza box was closed on the coffee table, a round covered tray of cookies beside it. As I settled into my seat, I resisted the urge to pinch myself to be certain I wasn’t dreaming. Because this version of Luke, playing the accommodating host, was not one I thought existed. Was it possible I hit my head during the hike and was suffering a concussion?

“You feeling okay?” I teased, tucking my feet beneath me in the seat.

“Yeah, why?”

“You’re smiling, for one. Should I be concerned? Maybe I need to call someone?”

“Very funny.”

He tossed me a blanket, and I unfolded it over my legs.

The narrow end table was hardly the barrier I hoped it’d be. If I stretched my legs out, I could easily instigate footsy. I pretended to study the blanket pattern that was made up of a series of blue stripes instead.

“Something wrong with the blanket?” he asked as he settled in on the couch.