Page 36 of Grand Escape

As he opened his mouth to answer, someone else approached the bar, stealing my breath and all the air around us.

“I hate missing a good laugh,” Adam said, sliding onto the stool right next to where Tony was standing.

“Not every conversation is meant for you,” Tony said snidely, and I gave him the stink-eye.

Adam turned his body slightly, giving Tony an actual cold shoulder.

“It actually wasn’t that funny. I was explaining to Tony some people thought of adventures as errands. I consider picking up tampons errands.”

This had both men looking at me wide-eyed.

“Now that I’ve got your attention, I want the two of you to cut the animosity.” To Adam, I said sweetly, “Welcome back. What can I get for you?”

“A water to start. I was going to order lunch, but you two finish whatever it is you’re discussing, and I’ll wait.”

I nodded, grabbing him a glass of water and sliding a menu in front of him.

“Tomorrow?” I prompted Tony, who was staring into his glass, already empty.

His head popping up, he stared me down. “This was an adventure I thought you’d like. Management said I could keep a puppy, and Peggy from group had a litter.”

“A puppy? How?” I felt my eyes bugging out of my head.

“Management trusts me to take care of it, keep it quiet and out of sight, and make sure it doesn’t damage my villa.”

“One sec,” I told him, then turned to Adam, who was an innocent bystander to our conversation. “Did you decide?”

“Niçoise salad and a coffee. Whatever you’re drinking smells good.”

I nodded and tried to turn, but his hand came around my wrist.

“I was hoping to see you tomorrow.”

“What are you, some sort of dog hater?” I asked.

His thumb caressed under my wrist where my pulse raced. This ongoing conflict between Tony and Adam, with Tony ramping up his efforts and Adam declaring all-out war, was making me cuckoo.

Adam scoffed. “Hardly. I grew up with a dog. A yellow Lab.”

“Oh, that’s good. I always felt like either someone had to guzzle coffee like me or love dogs as much, preferably both.”

“Well, now that’s settled, are you with me tomorrow?”

Adam’s brazen attitude should have been a turn-off, but it wasn’t. Quite the opposite, as the ache and burn was back between my legs.

“You know what? She’s all yours,” Tony said abruptly. “I’ll swing by with the puppy when I get him.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just pushed back and walked out.

“Tony,” I called out, but he ignored me.

“The guy is hot for you, Ry,” Adam said. “Fact is, I’m hotter—for you—and you’re hot for me.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Is that so? If I recall, you left me on my doorstep last night.”

“That was a mistake. A huge one. I’m here to make amends and to invite you to a dinner party.”

“Dinner party? Also, while you explain, how did you know I was here? Or was it just a lucky guess?”

I poured him a cup of coffee and set a small pitcher of cream next to it.

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