Page 25 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

I shouldn’t have stayed for breakfast with him yesterday. He’s definitely hot. I can’t deny how attractive he is and the heated flutters I felt in my belly. But he’s also cocky and cynical. Not my type. I like guys who are…nice. Guys who won’t let me down. Easton is the epitome of the kind of guy I should stay away from.

My boyfriend, who I’d been with for two years, dumped me after I lost my job. For a long time after that, I wasn’t in any shape to date, and then when I tried, guys got scared away by my pathetic situation. Easton is clearly way out of my league.

When he asked me out, I damn near fell on the floor. He’s been flirty with me since we first met, but I figured that’s just who he is. That bad boy who loves women but doesn’t commit to one. I never expected him to actually ask me on a date.

So I turned him down and kept it professional, which is just as well. Men have been letting me down a lot lately, so I have no intention of getting involved with anyone. Especially a big, muscular, gorgeous man who probably makes millions of dollars. I’m definitely not interested in a relationship…although…some hot, athletic sex would be really nice.

And him calling after me to have a day “as nice as my butt” definitely isn’t cooling off the thoughts about a hot hookup.

—

A week has gone by and the only dog-walking jobs I’ve had are from Kent. I’m trying not to be discouraged by it. Another guy who lives in Kent’s building told me he’d use my services sometime, but that hasn’t turned into an actual job yet.

So when Easton’s number shows on the call display on my phone on Thursday afternoon, my head jerks back and my eyes widen. What?

I fumble my phone in my haste to answer the call. “Hello.”

“Lilly?”

“Yes.”

“Hi, it’s Easton. How are you?”

“I’m great, thanks. How about you?” I keep it cool. Chitchat. Gotta do it.

“I’m okay. How’s your new business coming along?”

“Good, good!” I say cheerfully, although…it’s not. Not good. Not coming along.

“That’s great to hear. I’m calling to see if you would be able to look after Otis again.”

“You still have him?”

“Yeah.” He sighs. “I’m stuck with him a while longer.”

I tilt my head. How hard is he trying to find somewhere else for him, really? He could easily have gotten a shelter to take him by now.

“If you can fit him in,” he adds politely.

I roll my eyes. Fit him in? Ha! “Hmm. When, exactly?”

“Saturday. We go to Nashville for a game, so it would be overnight again.”

I pretend to give this some thought, then say, “I think can do that.”

“Oh, thank God!” His voice is full of relief and that makes me feel like I’m doing something good. “Thank you.”

“No worries. But listen, I can’t in good conscience take the same pay. That’s nowhere near my going rate, even for overnight stays.”

Silence. “Okay. We can discuss that. Can I drop him off Saturday morning?”

“Yes, that would be fine.”

We finalize the arrangement and end the call.

I sink back into the couch cushions. Huh.

Well, it’s better than nothing. And truthfully I’m a little excited about it. Not just the money. I’m excited to see Otis again.

---