Page 46 of Survive the Night
Before Sarah could answer, Hugh broke in. “It’s not arguing when we do it. It’s flirting.”
“Flirting with occasional yelling?” Grace asked skeptically.
Reaching across the table, Hugh caught her hand, looking very pleased with himself. “Not yelling. Loud flirting.”
“Right.” With an amused snort, Grace turned to Sarah. “Why did you think we were fighting?”
“You just seem more like a sit-on-the-same-side-of-the-table type of couple, that’s all.”
Otto laughed, and both Grace and Hugh stared at him, looking surprised. “What?” Otto asked.
“Did Sarah open Otto’s laugh vault?” Hugh asked. “You’re positively giddy today.”
He is? Sarah wondered, eyeing him. Otto didn’t look giddy to her. He had the stoic expression that he usually wore. His eyes might’ve been a little softer, and his mouth curled up a bit higher at the corners, but Sarah didn’t see any dramatic changes. She figured Hugh was just exaggerating, as usual.
“We’re not a same-side couple,” Grace said, pulling the conversation back on track. “I refuse to be part of a same-side couple.”
“We’re more of a same-chair couple.” Hugh gave Grace a look that Sarah could only describe as steamy.
Grace laughed, but she didn’t deny it, and Hugh pushed out of his chair, leaning across the table so he could kiss her.
Blushing a little, Sarah looked away. Unfortunately, her gaze landed on Otto, who was watching her with a hungry expression. Her warm face got hotter, and she dropped her gaze to the menu in front of her.
“Hey.” Jules bustled up to the table, saving Sarah from the awkward and heated moment. “Sorry that took me so long.” She looked at Grace and then Hugh. “If you two are here, and the kids are at school, who’s watching the puppies?”
“We are.” Hugh had settled back again. He discreetly pointed toward the floor by his chair. Everyone else, very indiscreetly, ducked to look under the table, where a soft-sided pet carrier was sitting.
“You brought them here?” Jules gave a hunted glance over her shoulder and lowered her voice. “Megan is so going to kill you if she finds out you brought dogs into her diner. If the health inspector saw that…”
“They’re allowed.” Hugh waved a hand, brushing off her concerns.
Jules stared. “They are not.”
“Sure they are.” Stretching his legs out in front of him, Hugh didn’t look worried about the health inspector’s wrath—or Megan’s. “They’re service animals.”
“They’re two-week-old puppies.”
“Service animals in training.”
Although Jules was obviously trying to cling to her indignation, Sarah could see her holding back a smile. “Fine. Just keep them quiet. If you’re caught with them, I don’t know a thing about any puppies. Got it?”
“Got it.” Hugh didn’t even try to contain his grin.
“That’s amazing.” Sarah didn’t realize she’d said it out loud until everyone looked at her.
“What’s amazing?” Grace asked.
“He just convinced Jules to let him keep the puppies in a diner. Does he get his way all the time?”
“Yes,” Grace said, talking over Hugh’s “No.” “It’s unbelievable what he gets away with.”
“That’s true,” Otto chimed in, and Hugh turned his gravely offended expression toward his partner.
“I’m appalled that you would even think…” Hugh started, but Grace patted his arm, interrupting him.
“You are spoiled rotten. We all know it and love you anyway.”
When Hugh opened his mouth to argue, Grace was the one who leaned over the table and gave him a peck. This time, Sarah was very careful not to look at Otto. They hadn’t kissed since he’d left for work the previous evening, and Sarah was starting to get antsy and needy and a little desperate. How quickly he’d turned her into an Otto addict.
