Page 3 of Sexy Bad Valentine

“I’ve never met any of your friends.” Abby almost falls out of the car with excitement. “Are they here now?”

“I’m not sure.” I check to make sure her jacket is done up, her mittens are tucked into the sleeves, and that the cute, kitten faced beanie that covers her pin straight, dark hair is secured. “Shall we go and find out?”

As soon as we’re out of the parking lot, Abby takes off for the park and I hurry along behind her, scoping out the few people that are out in this weather. A few adults, bundled into puffy jackets and boots, give me pitiful ‘what the hell were we thinking coming out in the cold’ looks that I return, but I’m pretty sure they’re also keeping an eye on their children who don’t seem to notice how icy it is out.

“Come on, Evie,” Abby calls.

“Coming.” I follow her to the swings. The idea of meeting someone new is lost to the magical anticipation of soaring.

A big, hairy mutt that’s more of a haystack than a dog zips past me as I step off the path, and barrels toward the little girl. All white and gray fur, its back legs move faster than the front ones, sending it into a roll that has Abby right in its path.

“Abby,” I yell as I run to catch up.

The little girl stands rooted to the spot, completely fearless, and squeals, “Doggy!”

“Barclay,” a man booms, and then he’s passing me to scoop Abby up and out of the way of the dog cum bowling ball. A few seconds later the beast comes to a dead stop on its face. A pink tongue rolls out of the dense white fur.

“I’m so sorry about that.” The man approaches, concern causing lines to crinkle around the corners of his brown eyes as he puts Abby down.

He’s a head taller than me when he stands up straight, with a well-defined jaw and neat black stubble. Perhaps I could be sold on meeting men through their dogs after all. “Gorgeous.”

“Sorry?” He smiles all the way to those dark eyes, almost cocky, as though he knows I meant him.

“Your dog. If it wasn’t a canine wrecking ball.” I crouch in front of Abby, checking her over, though the dog never actually made it to her. “Are you all right?”

“I want to pet the doggy.” She twists to look behind her, more interested in the animal than anything else. “Can I please play with your doggy?”

“Uh, I think he might be a little too excitable at the moment.”

“I want a puppy, Evie. I’m sure Daddy won’t mind.” Abby bats her eyelashes and pulls an I’m so cute face in the way only kids can when they imagine they desperately want something.

“I don’t think so. Besides Ducky wouldn’t like it.”

“Ducky?” the man asks and I look up to find him studying me.

I drop my gaze to Abby, bite my lip and try to hide the fact that I get a little warmer from that look. He’s definitely attractive, and he did save Abby.

“She has a pet duck,” I say, climbing to my feet. “Named Ducky.”

“And my uncle has a pet goat,” Abby informs him. “My other uncle has a kitty too.”

“Maxwell?” A woman calls out as she stomps toward us. “I can’t believe you dragged me out here in the cold for that ridiculous dog, and then you both abandon me. This is the worst date I’ve ever been subjected to.”

“Sorry,” he says. “I better go. It was nice meeting you.”

“You too,” I murmur as he strides away from us toward the woman in the chic Burberry winter coat and matching boots. Girlfriend? She has to be his girlfriend. Of course hot men don’t just barrel into your life while you’re busy on the job. But maybe Puppy Love might just be the right track after all.

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