Page 74 of Challenged by the Single Dad

An angry heat filled Dom’s body. “I don’t like the idea of you being here all alone. What if another guest like that Orrin douche tries something with you?”

The look both Chloe and Hawke gave him had him getting even warmer, this time from embarrassment.

“I’m sorry, Dom, but you’re myfriendand my employer. You do not have a say in what I do with my time—particularly the time I spend outside of my work at the pub.” She rose her brows at him, challenging him to double down.

He clenched his molars and wanted to clench his fists, but they’d notice that. So all he could do was a curt nod. “Right. My apologies.” Then he focused on Hawke. “I am herfriend. And I’m raising concerns as Chloe’sfriend,asking what you plan to do to ensure that she would be safe here alone.”

“You keep saying ‘friend’ weird. Why?” Hawke asked, tilting his head to the side like a curious bear.

Dom went to open his mouth, unsure what was actually going to come out, but Chloe answered for him. “Because up until recently, he didn’t like me. But we’ve found some common ground and have decided to bury the hatchet. I guess calling me a ‘friend’, and not ‘her’ or ‘my nemesis’ just feels weird on his tongue.” She glanced at Dom, smirking playfully. “Right?”

Dom grunted. “I never called you my nemesis.”

“Yeah, but you were probably thinking it,” she teased. Then returned her attention to Hawke. “What do you say? Am I hired?”

Hawk raked his thick fingers through his brown hair, then over his face to scratch at his stubble. “You’re something else, Chloe Voss. I oweyouan apology and a refund, and you’re offering to helpmeout.” He craned his neck around a little as if attempting to look behind her. “You got angel wings tucked under your coat or something?”

Her chuckle was all kinds of sexy and raspy. Even Hawke had a visceral reaction to the sound and his nostrils flared a little. “I know it wasn’t your fault. We’ve all been duped by people, and it’s not a good feeling. I’ll do my best to ensure the safety and comfort of the guests. I promise. I’ll even do like a social media reel, or video, or whatever telling people that I’m the woman whose bathroom was used, and yet, I’m back at the hostel.”

Even though all of this made unease whip into a nasty, bile-flavored froth inside Dom’s gut, he wasn’t going to say anything. He also did not like the idea of Chloe and Hawke working so closely with each other. No, Dom had no claim to her—but also, he kind of did.

Chloe held out her hand. “Do we have a deal? I’ll help out until you find someone more permanent to take over?”

It was impossible not to feel Hawke’s relief and appreciation as he took Chloe’s hand, but then hauled her into a big bear hug. The man was nearly as big as a fucking grizzly. “Thank you, Chloe. I really, really appreciate it.”

Her giggle was feminine and sweet, and it instantly made Dom jealous that he wasn’t the one to make her make that sound. But he did get slightly lost in the wrinkles of her cheeks, her smile was so big and bright. Not to mention that sexy twinkle in her blue-green eyes, which seemed more blue now.

She made a pretend noise of stress, like he was a boa constrictor squeezing her to death. So he released her quickly. “Sorry. Sometimes I get carried away.”

Another girlie giggle. And this time it made Hawke grin and his amber eyes glimmer.

“I work at four today. So how about I come by tomorrow after yoga?”

He nodded. “That sounds perfect. I’ll have the employment contract all ready for you to sign.”

Dom was screaming on the inside now.

Hawke liked Chloe.

How did he know? Because Dom liked Chloe, and he could tell when another man was interested. The way his gaze slid down her body. The half-a-second longer linger on her chest before smiling wider when he reached her face. The flare of his nostrils, his pupils dilating, the puffing up of his chest, and the free and easy smile he gave her. Not to mention that extra-long hug.

Who hugged that long?

Not platonic friends, that was for sure.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then,” Chloe said, all smiles as she and Dom turned to go.

Hawke tossed a wink her way. “You sure will.”

They climbed back into Chloe’s car and waved at Hawke as she drove away. “Well, that went well,” she said, pulling back onto the main road. “I wasn’t expecting to get a job when I went there. But I could see how terrible he felt about everything.”

Dom grunted.

She turned to face him for a moment, before focusing back on the road. “What was that for?”

“What was what?”

“That grunt. It was dismissive. And if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were disgruntled about something.”

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