Page 16 of Sexy Bad Valentine

CHAPTER FIVE

Evie

Walking into Puppy Love, I tell myself to calm down. It’s been a few days since the interview where I had to tell the camera why I’m such a huge fan of dogs, and then answer questions about my ideal man. The whole time I couldn’t get Max off my mind.

Tall, handsome, slightly scruffy? Sure, physical looks are nice, but it’s finding a guy you can have fun with and that you can spend hours talking to that makes all the difference. It’s helpful if the guy is confident about who he is and what he wants, too. Someone who makes me feel special. I might as well have written his name on a piece of paper and held it up to the lens. And that was before I knew he was part of the show. Before I kissed him and told him I thought he was one of those bad boy types that get girls so hot under the collar. Before I re-read the contract for Puppy Love and realized I’d already practically broken the first stipulation.

It wasn’t a date though. It was just cocoa and kisses. A conversation in his kitchen where he made it plain that the ball was in my court, and he’d only chase if I let him. Which I shouldn’t. I only need a date for Hannah’s Valentine’s Day party, nothing more.

“Good morning, Evie.” Kelly meets me at the elevator with a friendly smile above the tablet in her hands. I met her the first time I came in, and she’s lovely. “If you’ll follow me, we’re shooting outside today and making the most of the clear day.”

“It’s supposed to snow tomorrow, isn’t it?” I make small talk as we take the elevator to the parking garage and she ushers me into a town car before joining me.

“Yes, it is. So we best make the most of today. We’ll meet the dogs at the park. Our dog walker is already there, waiting for us.”

We travel a few blocks before we pull up outside the park. A couple people are running with their dogs. Others are watching kids on the playground. Some teens play hacky sack on a patch of pavement cleared of snow near a statue. Who knew kids still did that? Behind us another car pulls up and several people pile out of it. One of them has a large camera balanced on his shoulder as he comes to open the door for us and motion me down the path.

A few minutes later, I’m face to face with Max. He’s dressed in dark jeans and a sports jacket with Puppy Love logos all over it. Next to his feet are Barclay and three other dogs. A Pomeranian, a Husky, and a mutt who thumps its tail, sending the snow flying. In his hands he holds a bone with a red ribbon around it.

I try not to smile too hard, but he looks as nervous as I feel about being on camera. And his gaze is locked on mine like we haven’t seen each other in years, though it’s only been a matter of days. “Do you often carry around a giant bone?”

“When I’m seeing you,” he says, adjusting his grip on the bone. “Yes.”

There’s a spark of heat in his gaze that I pretend not to see as Kelly suggests we start with a hello and then he introduces me to the dogs. She keeps looking at Max weirdly too, like she’s thrown by his presence. Another thing I try to ignore since it’s none of my business if they have history. I’m here to date the dogs.

***

My first date is with Shadow, the Husky. We end up at the skating rink where I’m expected to don ice skates and spin in circles with the dog. I read the note again. “This can’t be your favorite activity, can it?”

Shadow barks loudly from his spot at my feet.

“Okay, but I warn you I’ve never done this before.”

“You’ve never been ice skating?” Max asks, coming to sit beside me. Again, Kelly gives him that look.

What is her problem? Is she jealous because he’s paying attention to me? Because this is nothing. “Afraid not.”

“Max, we should get on with the taping,” Kelly interrupts.

“Hold up.” He puts his palm up in her direction. “We can afford a few minutes to make sure she can keep her feet on the ice before we let her loose with a dog.”

Wide eyed, Kelly slams her lips together and jerks her chin, then she spins on her heel to go speak to the camera crew.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to talk to her like that?”

He glances after her, taking his time before answering. “Probably not.”

“Did you ever?”

“With Kelly?” He snaps his attention to me. “God no.”

“She looks at you like—”

“You’re a jealous thing, aren’t you?” He smiles. “For someone who thinks I’m a bad judgement call you’re surprisingly into me.”

“Into you? I am not.” I pick up one of the white boots with a blade along its sole and push my fuzzy socked foot into it. Finding him attractive, interesting, charming, does not mean I’m into him. That’s ridiculous.

“It’s okay. You can admit it.” He grins, his brown locks falling across his forehead. “I won’t tell anyone. Especially not Kelly.”

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