Page 44 of Dashing for Love

She eyes my cowboy boots. “You sure about that?”

I shove back against her. “Shut up.”

She laughs. “I’m just saying. I knowwe’venever been like that, but you’re a good-looking guy. You’ve just spent your whole life with your nose in books, then with your arms way too far up in cow business to notice that plenty of women are interested.”

I scoff and look around. “Where are these women you speak of?”

“Listen, ifmyoblivious ass can see them, then you know they’re around.”

“No. I’m the boring guy that no one thinks about.”

Willa raises an eyebrow. “I beg to differ.”

“Differ all you want, but the proof is in the pudding.”

She stands again. “I’m not arguing about this. You’re wrong, and that’s the end of it.”

I laugh again as I rise and pull her into a hug. “You smell like fries.”

“I always smell like fries, asshole. I need to get back in there.” She pulls back and points a finger at me. “I’m ready to listen when you’re ready to talk.”

“Love you, Willa.”

“Love you, too.”

She disappears and I take a minute before going back inside, curiosity gnawing at me.Who is Dawn?How have I never seen her around, and never talked to her or heard her name before all this started? There’s something I’m missing, and it’s as though it’s just off-screen and out of view.

A flash of blue hits my periphery as Reid rounds the corner and heads my way. Defeated, I drop my head into my hands and fall back onto the bench as he approaches. “Officer MacKinnon,” I mutter through my hands. “Of fucking course.” Because I can’t catch a break in any capacity.

He gestures at my splayed form on the bench. “Do I need to arrest you for something, Matty?”

“Not unless there’s a new law about irritating your best friend because you won’t tell her about your dating life. Or lack thereof.”

He laughs and eases onto the bench, taking Willa’s spot and giving Killer a cursory pat. The little dog licks his hand in response. “Remind me why you’re not telling her again?”

“Apparently, because I’m an idiot.”

He snorts. “She’s not wrong.”

“She didn’t say I was an idiot. She called me a golden retriever.”

He gives me a confused look.

“Listen, being a golden retriever is good. Most of the time.”

He still doesn’t speak.

I sigh. “Fine. She didn’t call me an idiot, but it was heavily implied.”

He grins and pats my back. “Come on. I’ll buy you a shake.”

“What am I, twelve?”

“No, but you look like you could use a shake. Chocolate? Or are you one of those weird people who like strawberry?”

“I thinkyoucould use one and I’m your foil. And strawberry is good.”

He opens the door and I walk ahead. “Strawberry is not good. If you get that, I’m not buying.”

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