Page 72 of Dashing for Love

She shoots a glare at me. “Right.Anyway, he pulled me into a dark room, so dark we couldn’t see each other. We took our masks off, and…” She trails off, her gaze darting to mine before looking away.

Hell, evenI’mon the edge of my seat—and I was there. Except I’m waiting on Willa or Reid to put it all together. It’ll be like the big reveals at the end of Scooby-Doo, except there’s a tiny dog and cat instead of a Great Dane.

Reid clears his throat. “You took your masks off,and what?”

Willa smacks him on the arm. “Okay, creeper. That’s enough. If she wanted to tell you more, she’d tell you more.”

I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Willa would have pounced by now if it was going to happen.

“Fine. But I want to hear more about this James character, so Goldie, if you change your mind.” He holds his hand to his ear like it’s a phone and mouths, “Call me.”

Goldie laughs and rolls her eyes. She doesn’t seem nervous at all. Meanwhile, all it would take is one well-placed eyebrow arch from Reid and I’d probably break.

“I need to go,” Goldie continues, turning to hug Willa. “Call you later?”

“Absolutely.”

Reid and I get the usual side-hugs that we always get, and it’s not enough. I’m desperate for more, closing my eyes and breathing her in even as she pulls away and smiles.

“Any news on the Bunnies?” I ask, needing to move Reid and Willa far off the masquerade ball topic and hoping that the Miami-based drug cartel that Reid infiltrated before moving to Lucky is a good distraction.

“The main guy’s behind bars, but that doesn’t mean squat,” Reid grumbles. “His daughters are running it now, and they are far more vicious than their father.”

“I still want to know where they get the actual rabbits,” Willa muses.

I grimace. “Let’s not think about that part.”

“Hurts your little veterinarian heart, doesn’t it?” Reid teases.

I nod earnestly. “It really does. What kind of monster raises rabbits just to, to—” I break off, unable to say it.

“Take their feet and use them as intimidation tactics?” Reid supplies.

I shudder. “Exactly.”

My phone buzzes and I pull my phone out to read the text.

GOLDIE

My house. Wear the mask.

I nearly swallow my tongue, then immediately start coughing.

Holyshit.

Willa gives me some cursory pats on the back. “You okay?”

“Yep,” I choke out. “Just, ah, need to go. Great seeing you two.” I pivot and head to my truck, tapping out a message.

MATTY

I need a shower and to handle the pets first. Be there in 30.

With the mask

As you wish

Did you just Princess Bride me?

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