Page 6 of Show Off

“Yes?” Oh, God. He knows my name?

There’s a shuffle of footsteps and I sense him behind me. “Are you drunk?”

CHAPTER2

CONFESSIONAL 1083

Yang, Dal (Head Chef, Serenade: Juniper Ridge)

My brother was just here, right?

Yeah, I know you want us all speaking freely for these things, but come on.

If he’s painting some picture like he’s at fault for the accident, I want it on record right now that I’m the one who?—

He called me a cranky-ass crabapple tartlet? That—doesn’t even make sense.

For fuck’s sake.

* * *

Lana Judson is hammered.

That’s all I can figure for why she’s crawling through the dirt, eyes squeezed shut as she mutters about zippers and blowjobs.

Not that my dick doesn’t twitch at the idea. I’m only human, and Lana’s—well—gorgeous.

And completely not my type, with her sunshine vibes and her penchant for putting a spin on fuckingeverything.

“Stop crawling and let me help.” I might be an asshole, but I’m still a gentleman. Right as I reach her, Lana stands on her own. Her eyes are still shut, and she looks wobbly, so I grab her arm. “Steady. That’s it. Good?—”

“Oh my God, if you say, ‘good girl,’ I swear I will lose it.” Her eyes flutter open, lashes framing the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. “I’m serious, Dal.”

What the hell?

I’m still holding her arm, worried she’ll stagger straight into the fence. I don’t smell liquor on her breath, and her eyes aren’t bloodshot. She’s a little bit rumpled, flushed from booze or whatever has her all worked up.

“Let’s just get you home.” I can’t let her walk alone like this. Not even if it’s just a few hundred yards to her cabin. Yes, I know where she lives. I’m not dead, okay? “Come on.”

The pulse in her throat beats wildly as her gaze shifts over my shoulder. “Is she coming?” Her wince clues me in to what the problem might be. “Just stay here, Dal. With her. Let’s please pretend this whole thing never happened.”

“What whole thing?” I turn and give a sharp whistle. “Come here, girl.”

“Shit.” Lana yanks her arm free and smooths her hair. “You really don’t have to—Mouse?”

Lana blinks as my giant dog trots to my side. Part mastiff, part golden retriever, part…lion? Who knows. Whatever else got mixed in to build a giant beast weighing in at a hundred and thirty pounds. I love Mouse more than almost anyone on earth. She’s gotten my brother and me through some tough stuff.

Dragging my eyes off my dog, I see Lana gaping wide-eyed at Mouse. “Holy shit.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of.” I give Mouse the signal to sit calmly beside me. “She’s huge, but gentle. I thought you’d met?”

Or not. And maybe booze heightens dog phobia? Hell if I know.

Then Lana starts laughing, falling to her knees at my feet. “Oh my God, Mouse!” Throwing both arms around my monster dog, she kisses one furry cheek. “Hi, sweetie.”

It’s the first time I’ve envied a canine.

Also the first time I’ve stared down at Lana’s blonde head, wondering how it might feel to thread my fingers through her hair and?—

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