Page 10 of You and Me, For Real
Heat floods my face. His infectious laughter fills the tiny examination room and warms me to my toes, my shock and embarrassment dissipating as a smile creeps onto my lips. “What’s so funny?”
He stands, lifting the tray. “Nothing. It’s just— I’ve never had such a poor first impression with someone in my life. First the car, my faulty shirt, now this. I think I owe you another apology.”
His hand brushes mine as he passes over the tray. I nearly jolt at the touch. “To be fair, the car was your driver’s fault. The shirt was the giver’s muck-up. And this is just my usual clumsiness. Nothing to apologize for. So, tell me more about this sweet girl.”
“I found her wandering on the side of the road. That’s about all I know. Seeing the condition she was in, I couldn’t just leave her.”
Despite my resistance, his gentle tone draws my eyes to his.
He smiles, and a singular dimple appears on the left side of his lips. His dark, closely shaven scruff is just enough to give his face an accented stubble.
I clear my throat. “Well, thank you for doing that. Most people wouldn’t bother.”
“I’m not most people.”
My ears heat.Look away. Look away.
I slip on my gloves and pat down the dog’s back. A mass of hair comes loose. Common with dogs under stress. I examine her. She’s underfed and dehydrated, with an old wound around her neck—probably from a too-tight collar—and one minor cut on the hind leg. No stitches required. “You’re a bit worse for wear, but we’ll get you taken care of, girl.”
The man leans forward across the table and says, “I’m Griffin Ford, by the way.” His hand juts out in front of me.
I stare at his hand like it’s a foreign object, hesitant to touch him. The few minor brushes our bodies have encountered have sent near bolts of electricity down my spine. I don’t know if I can survive a full-blown handshake.
Instead, I hand him the microchip scanner. “Ashton Reid. Nice to meet you. If you don’t mind, can you scan between thedog’s shoulder blades? You’ll want to touch the fur with the scanner and rotate it around.” I indicate how. “Just press that button until you hear a beep.”
“Sure.” His voice sounds baffled, but he does as I instructed.
I open the wound-cleaning kit and set about the task of cleaning the cut on the back leg, ignoring our closeness and his delicious cedar scent.
“We found her a couple of miles from here. You were the closest animal facility.”
“Because you’re in a hurry?”
“Caught that, did you?” His smile never diminishes. “A slight hurry. A minor over-exaggeration by my father.”
My head bolts up. “Father?” That’d explain the similar good looks, but judging from the other man’s air of authority, I’d have guessed his…boss? Manager?
“He also happens to be my agent.”
There it is.
“And he has a propensity toward keeping a tight schedule.”
I return my attention to the wound. “Makes sense. I’m sure it’s part of his job. I’m almost done here.” And then this gorgeous man can be on his way back to his Hollywood high life, and I, well, I can face my failings from this morning’s mishap.
I lean forward to read the microchip scanner. It still hasn’t picked up anything. Griffin’s soft breath touches the delicate bare skin on my neck. Goosebumps erupt on my forearms.Good gracious mercy.
“It, uh, it appears this girl isn’t microchipped. I can have you fill out some paperwork, and you can take her home.”
He stiffens, his calm and cool demeanor disappearing. “Come again?”
“You can take her. With you.” I repeat the words slowly, as though he’s the one recovering from the shock of nearly being hit by a vehicle.
“Oh, um…” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“Because you’re busy. And on a tight schedule?”
His cheeks color slightly, and by golly if my insides don’t flop from the adorableness. Though, I do recognize discomfort when I see it. I give him a moment and turn my attention to the dog, who’s patiently allowing my ministrations. If I had to guess, her calm disinterest is due to her sheer exhaustion, probably from walking for hours. Once cleaned up and on a regular diet, she’ll be a beautiful girl.
