Page 14 of Without Regret

He patted his stomach, which from the way his button-down shirt clung to him was definitely fit. “No, I’m stuffed. I was coming in to grab another beer.”

“Here you are.” I already had the refrigerator open and handed him a cold one. I tried not to let the little zing I got from simply grazing his hand affect me. Jesus. Clearly, it had been too long since I’d had sex. That had to be the reason I was fighting an attraction here.

“Thanks. Are you cleaning up? I’ll help you.”

“You don’t have to. I just thought—”

“To avoid the two big dogs in the backyard currently chasing one another around like maniacs.”

I laughed at his description because it’s exactly what I’d been thinking. “Yeah. It’s like they’re long-lost mates. You sure they haven’t met one another before?”

He shook his head, gathering up some of the dishes and starting to rinse them. “Nope. I think it’s simply the instant compatibility of slow-moving, drooly, Texas dogs who will probably pass out from all of their efforts tonight.”

“Does he sleep with you in your bed?” Now why did I have to go and ask him such personal question, especially having to do with his bed? Because now I was thinking of his it. And him in it.

“No. I didn’t want to get into that habit given he’s one hundred and fifty pounds. He has a comfy one beside mine, though.”

“Probably a good idea.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were afraid of dogs on Monday?”

“I’m not afraid of them. I just don’t care for them.”

I turned to see him leaned up against the counter, studying me while taking a pull on his beer.

“Something happen with you and a dog?”

Why not tell him? It didn’t matter if he knew or not. “I got bit when I was six by a big one. I wasn’t around them much after that, so I guess I’m simply wary.”

“Your parents had a dog?”

Given that I didn’t have parents, his guess wasn’t even close. “No. It belonged to someone in the neighborhood.”

“Understandable then. You know, if you want to beat your fear, Rufus is the dog for it. He’s gentle and would never bite.”

“I’m not—” I was about to say scared, but I’d be lying and he’d realize it. I hated being frightened of anything, let alone a dog who’d allowed Peyton’s nieces to crawl all over him this evening. “I— Maybe at some point I could try to pet him. But not here.”

He seemed to understand I didn’t want an audience to witness my irrational fear. “Maybe back at housing some time then. Here, I’ll wash if you want to dry.”

“Sure.”

We engaged in some small talk over the next twenty minutes with nothing flirtatious or too personal. By the time we were done, I realized it was growing late, and I’d yet to embark on my mission of finding out what type of engagement ring Peyton would want.

I hadn’t realized I’d sighed until he asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just something I need to do.”

“Work-wise?”

“No, no.” I hesitated since this was personal for Simon. It wasn’t as though Trevor would be able to help, but at this point, I was open to any and all ideas.

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course.”

I didn’t think Simon would mind, but I certainly didn’t want him thinking I was gossiping about his business. “I need to find out what type of ring Peyton might prefer, and I’m not sure how to bring up the subject without being obvious.”

He seemed to think about it a moment. “Simon’s secret is safe with me. And I’ve got an idea.”

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