Page 27 of Winning the Nightcap

“Of course. How can I help? Hopper seems to be doing well with the skills we’ve covered so far,” I say, not sure where his apparent discomfort might be coming from.

“Yeah, he always seems to respond better to you in class than he does when it’s just me and him at home, but I have seen an improvement. He only ignores me the first few times I ask for something instead of altogether.” He smiles, and I can’t help but smile back.

Aiden is acting shy, which is unexpected. I assumed a professional athlete like him with the big career, the fame, the income, and the insanely good looks would be unbearably confident, borderline arrogant at all times. Instead, he seems humble and refreshingly authentic. Is he normally this shy? Well, I guess not all the time considering what he said to me in the car. This month’s book is great…but Aiden’s dirty talk is better.

Over the last week, I’ve convinced myself that we both got caught up in the moment. I don’t want to read any further into the mishap and risk embarrassing myself all over again. There’s no way he meant what he said. He agreed to being friends, so I have to believe that’s all he wants. I’m not getting stuck again with someone who doesn’t want me as much as I want them.

“I was wondering if you had any local recommendations for dog boarding. I have to go out of town, and I figured you’d know someone reputable who could take care of Hopper.”

“Oh, sure. I know a few places. I can give you their info.” I pull out my phone to find the contact information for the local boarders Iknow and trust. “When are you traveling?” I ask.

“Uh, that’s the thing, it’s all sort of unexpected, and I need to leave tomorrow morning. Not sure how much advance notice is needed. I’d ask Dom, but it’d be too much to take that on with the new baby and everything. My sister is working crazy hours the next few days, otherwise I’d ask her.” He releases a heavy sigh and looks up at the ceiling. Realizing this is why he’s so stressed, so unlike his usual self, I instantly want to help.

Not wanting to pry about why he has to travel on such short notice, I look back to my phone. “I think you might have a hard time locking down a place by tomorrow, but here are a few numbers for you to try. These are the places I work with regularly and recommend for grooming and boarding.”

I hand over the contact information, knowing the chances of him securing a spot with one of the local borders before he has to leave town is slim to none. These places often book up weeks in advance. I offer the only other thing I can. “If none of them can take Hop because they’re fully booked or whatever, I can always watch him for you.”

He looks at me, shocked. “You’d do that? I mean, I’m sure you have plenty going on.”

“Well, I don’t have any classes scheduled tomorrow here or at the shelter. If I get called in for any reason, I can bring Hopper with me, and he can be my assistant.” I smile down at Hop, who nudges my leg affectionately like he knows he just got promoted from being my student to my right-hand man. I give him a scratch under his ear, and he leans into my hand. “We can even get some extra training sessions in. I did promise to host the girls tomorrow night for our…uh, book club. So as long as you don’t mind him hanging with all of us, I can watch him. How long are you out of town for?” I look back to Aiden who looks incredibly relieved, his entire demeanor relaxing.

“I leave tomorrow morning and hope to get back Monday night.”

“Well, let me know either way. I’d be happy to have Hop stay with me. I haven’t had a dog around since I lost my girl, Lucy. It’s just me at home. I’d love the company.” Aiden looks at me, not saying anything. His expression unreadable.

“Well, I should warn you that I let Hopper sleep in my bed. And he’s a blanket hog.”

“Well, as it turns out, I am too. Thankfully, I have plenty of blankets to share.” I wink at him, and he chuckles. Something in me warms knowing I can make him smile like that.

“Noted, Bec.”

My imagination gets carried away, reading too much into his tone and trying to find an innuendo there. I picture Aiden letting me steal all his blankets. I don’t think I’d give them back.

Chapter Nineteen

Bec

Aiden: Bec? It’s Aiden. I’m not sure if your number is still the same.

Bec: Yeah, it’s me. Everything okay?

Aiden: I wanted to see if your offer to watch Hopper still stands. All of the places I called are fully booked. I would pay you, of course, and owe you a huge favor.

Bec: You don’t need to pay me. I’d be happy to watch him and have him steal all of my blankets. Any other quirks I need to watch out for?

Aiden: Well, he basically does the opposite of everything I say. Is that a quirk?

Bec: I’d say that’s an opportunity.

Aiden: He also enjoys eating trash, shoes, socks, pillows, and basically anything on the floor is fair game.

Bec: This dog trainer sponsored vacation will serve dual purposes. You won’t recognize his behavior when you pick him up.

Aiden: Seriously, I’ll think of a way to pay you back for this. I can’t tell you how much of a relief it is to have a safe place to leave Hop. And to have someone I trust watching out for him.

Bec:Wow…that’s sweet. Promise I’ll take good care of him. Now,what time do I need to have my place puppy proofed by? I need to hide my shoes.

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