Page 13 of Summer with a Single Dad

She laughed and patted my arm before reaching into her pocket for a treat. She held it for Lucifer to see, holding it right over his head. She extended her index finger and said, “Luke, sit. Sit!” When his butt hit the ground, she said, “Good dog! Good!” She fed him, petted him, and praised him. She pulled another treat out. “Shake, Luke, shake.”

He cocked his head, and she giggled.

She pulled his paw into her hand and shook it. She dropped it back to the floor and repeated the command. “It might take a couple of days of practice for him to get it. But he will. You’re a smart little guy, aren’t you, Luke? Just make sure to repeat thecommands and what I just did if he’s not getting it. Eventually, he’ll lift his paw for you whenever you sayshake.”

“Command, praise, reward, repeat.”

“Exactly,” she said as she avoided my eyes, pretending to focus on my dog.

“What are you doing for dinner?” I blurted before she dismissed me since class was officially over.

“I have plans with Cassie.”

“Gotcha,” I said as my heart plummeted to the floor.

She chewed on her lip. “Maybe another night?”

“Sure. Just let me know. Thanks again for another great class. Lucifer is coming along.”

“Luke,” she said on a chuckle. “You keep calling him Lucifer, and he’s going to get a complex. If he doesn’t already have one.”

“Huh,” I wondered aloud. Maybe she was right. “I’ll try. As long as he does, too.”

That earned a smile.

Lucifer and I said our goodbyes. As we headed to my truck, my chest squeezed, and an uneasy feeling settled over me. I realized Lucifer wasn’t the only one with a complex.

Chapter Eight

Emily

“You what?!” Cassie yelled at me over the phone. “I can’t believe you lied to him.Again.”

“I already feel guilty enough. Don’t make it worse.”

“No. Absolutely not. I’m your best friend, and I’m demanding you call and accept his invitation.”

“He probably already ate dinner.”

“He’s a guy. Even if he already ate, he’ll eat again. Especially if you’re making mac and cheese.”

“With lobster,” I added.

“I wouldn’t turn it down even if I ate at the buffet for dinner.”

My laugh came easily. But then I groaned, frustrated both emotionally and sexually.

“I don’t get why you’re trying to fight this. And don’t give me some lame ass excuse about not mixing business with pleasure. You obviously connected with him the first time you met. And everything you’ve told me since he arrived on your doorstep solidifies that fact. He sounds perfect.”

I snorted. “Except for his dog.”

“Who are you kidding? You’d probably date him just because of his dog.”

“Luke is ridiculously adorable. With more training, he’s going to be a wonderful dog.”

“I just hate to see you miss out on a wonderful man. He’s got a good job, a cute dog, and a really nice ass.”

“Cassie!”

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