Page 11 of Serving Bunt

“Good TV,” Dani said, cutting to the chase.

I glanced back toward the set and my stomach did a flip. Diaz was laughing again, his head tipped back as the hound lapped at his chin.

“No,” I said, too quickly.

Dani frowned. “Hear me out. It’s only for five days, out near Pendleton, in this gorgeous, refurbished inn—”

“I appreciate the offer, but to be honest, I could use the added rest. Plus, I barely know a cake pan from a pie dish.”

Dani studied me for a second, then nodded. “No problem. Just let me know if you change your mind.”

Thankfully, she left it at that. Dani was already onto the next item on her checklist, and Clarke was hot on her heels after reluctantly depositing Mo back into my arms.

I pivoted away from the chaos, scratching behind Mo’s ears while I attempted to get my head on straight.

Five days in a “gorgeous, refurbished inn” with Diaz?

The thought twisted my gut. As much as I hated to admit it, part of me wanted to say yes—for the excuse to be around him, to see if we could claw our way back to something that felt normal again, but also, to prove to myself I could handle it. That I wasn’t going to keep avoiding every situation that made me uncomfortable.

The other part, the smarter, more responsible side, knew exactly how dangerous that was. Diaz might’ve been the one to initiate our kiss at Clarke and Soren’s wedding, but I hadn’t exactly stopped it. On the contrary, I’d thrown my arms around his shoulders and tugged him closer.

Baking together in a romantic inn with no teammates around to interrupt us? Yeah, that felt like playing with matches in a room full of gasoline.

Mo gave me a look that felt suspiciously judgmental.

“Don’t stare at me that way,” I muttered. “It’s a bad idea and we both know it.”

She licked my chin once, like she was trying to comfort me. Then again, she might’ve just been angling for more cheese. Before I could decide which, a warm hand landed on my shoulder from behind.

“You brought the boss lady.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I pivoted to face him, narrowly avoiding his rock-hard pecs.

Mo wagged her tail so hard her whole body shook. Diaz offered her a hand. “You gonna let me live today, preciosa?”

She licked his fingers and turned into the ear scratches he immediately started giving her.

I laughed despite myself. “Traitor.”

“She has good instincts,” he said, eyes flicking up to meet mine.

“Debatable.” I nodded toward the playpen full of puppies. “Why did you always strike me as more of a cat guy?”

He scoffed. “Cats, dogs, lizards—they all love me.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Silence stretched between us. I crossed my arms, watching as Mo practically melted under Diaz’s hands, eyes half-lidded, tail thumping, like she’d just found nirvana.

Christ. I was jealous of my own dog.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath.

Diaz glanced up. “What was that?”

“Nothing,” I replied a little too quickly. “Just surprised to see her so comfortable with you.”

“What can I say?” He dragged his fingers lightly down Mo’s neck. “I’m very good with my hands