Page 55 of Bodybuilders for the BBW

“Well done.” I hadn’t felt a rush like this since my first year of nursing and Helen grudgingly praised my performance. “You stayed calm. Well…” Katie shot me an impish grin. “Except for the leaping over the dog bit. That was very brave, protecting us from the big bad bike.”

“I was trying to block out the noise, the sight of the bike.”

“Yes, well, I think my instincts are right. You and Bronson will be fine together.”

So why did she look so sad? I watched Katie’s smile fade.

“I think we make a great team.” Shit, shit, was I going to say it? “All of us. You could stay for dinner and we could talk about the best way to help him overcome his fears.” I flashed her my most winning smile. “Not only do I make a damn fine lasagna, but my puttanesca could make the gods themselves cry.”

Her lips twitched. I knew she wanted to smile, but somehow, she resisted with a shake of her head.

“You don’t need me.” She said that in a quiet, matter-of-fact tone that demanded I refute the statement, but she forged on. “The offer is tempting, but Ryan Gosling and pizza awaits. If Bronson goes off his food or won’t drink…” She glanced down at the bed. “Then give the vets a call. You should do a consult anyway, to see if there’s another medication that might help him with his anxiety.”

That was a brush off if ever there was one and I could take a hint, but… I couldn’t help but feel whatever had her looking so pale and drawn when she turned up was the problem.

“You know you can talk to me.” Where the hell had that come from? Her confused expression made clear I’d just blurted that out without context. “I mean, no matter what was…” I shook my head. “People tell me I’m a good listener. I’ve got an amazing bottle of wine in the kitchen. You could have a glass and tell me about your day.”

“Nothing happened.” She was lying despite that bright smile, because there was a sadness in her eyes that wasn’t there before. If some client, some vet, put that there, I’d be having words— “I’m fine, but there’s no point in me hanging around here. I…” She swallowed hard. “Was reminded that I tend to get overly involved in other people’s lives. Well, not anymore. New year, new me. I’m going to put myself first for once, and tonight that involves pizza and ugly crying over movies.”

I watched her crouch down and, thankfully, Bronson scrambled back out, seemingly having found his centre again.

“Bye, buddy. Be good for Garrett. He knows what he’s doing and he’ll look after you.”

As if in response to her words, he came and pressed his body into my legs. I reached down and rumpled those velvety ears. While I wanted to pet the dog and make sure he was OK, I also wanted…

Katie to stay. To walk down the hall and into the kitchen. For her to tell me the sauce smelled amazing, right before I grabbed a spoon to give her a taste. I could just imagine holding it out for her, resisting her urge to feed herself, right as those pretty pink lips parted. She’d flush with pleasure, tasting the saltiness of the pepperoni, the tartness of the tomatoes, and the brine of the black olives. Over a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine, I’d ask her the question that had been burning inside me all day.

But she’d made clear that was not an option.

“OK, well, if you’re going to eat what is no doubt an inferior pizza from some terrible takeaway.” She grinned at my snotty tone. “Then I guess I’ve gotta shoot my shot now.”

Bronson watched me closely as I moved towards Katie. He knew what was up. We might have very different motivations, but I was willing to bet the turmoil inside his head went quiet the minute he was around her. She was like a glass of crisp, white wine, with just a touch of acidity to balance out the sweetness.

“I’m heading down to the Smiling Samoyed Brewery on the weekend.” I watched her smile falter and her eyes go wide. “I mean, I can take Rhys, but he whines and bitches and then gets hangry really easily. He fills up on roadhouse food on the way and won’t want any pizza when he gets there.” Her little giggle was everything. “I’d much rather bring someone who would actually enjoy the trip and the scenery. There’s some cute dogs to pat.”

“I…” She was going to say she’d love to, I just knew it, but instead she closed her mouth and let out a little sigh. “I’ll let you know. I’ve got your number, right?”

“Right.”

Girls had knocked me back before, so why did this feel like a punch to the gut? I crouched down as she went to leave, giving Bronson a hug. To her it would’ve looked like I was preparing him for Katie leaving, but really? His whines, the way he strained to chase after her, was a perfect reflection of how I felt. I just couldn’t make pathetic noises as she walked out the door.

“C’mon, boy,” I said as I heard it click shut. “Pretty sure Rhys still has some steak in the kitchen for you. I’ll slice you some up and then…” I shook my head. “We can work out how the hell we’re going to convince Katie to become part of our lives.”

Chapter29

Katie

“Here she is!” Mandie cried as I walked in the door, only for me to discover she wasn’t alone.

“Hey, Katie,” Natasha said, setting her glass of wine down.

“Hey.” I sank down in a chair and gladly took the glass of wine and box of pizza pushed my way. “Looks like this party has already been started?”

“Pizza just arrived and Tash just cracked the wine.” Mandie grabbed her class and clinked it against mine. “So I wasn’t sure if you’d make it. Didn’t end up on another accidental date again?”

“No.” I took a tiny sip of the wine and then set it down. “I’m not sure if that will ever happen again. I’ve decided I don’t need to go around anymore.”

“Why?” Mandie’s shift in mood was abrupt. One minute she was joking, the next her lips formed a thin line as she stared me down. “What did they do? I can kick their arses?—”

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