Page 19 of High Side
“Good deal. I’ll give you my address. I have to run a few errands. About six?”
“Sounds good. I take it dress is casual.”
Kylie gave her a once-over. “Very.”
“What should I bring with me? A bottle of wine?”
“That sounds great. Green chile enchiladas, so white, maybe?”
“I can so do that.” She’d graduated from box wine to the real stuff pretty fast, and she knew what she liked. “Address?”
“I’ll text it to you now.” Kylie pulled out her phone and sent the text. “I hope you like dogs. I have one.”
“I do. Dude, I’m a mountain girl. It’s mandatory.” She chuckled. “Not allowed to bring dogs to work?” She’d never seen one around the shed, as they called the big prefab building that housed the outfitters.
“Client allergies.”
“Oh man. Seriously?”
She nodded. “I take her on the dog-friendly hikes, and she loves the river. Loves it.”
“What kind of dog?”
“You’ll see.” Kylie winked. “I’ll see you then. I texted you my address.”
Her phone chimed. She’d been so focused on those blue eyes that she’d missed the whole phone thing. Okay. Up toward the ski mountain. Nice.
Pretty condos up there.
“So.” She held up her phone. “I’ll see you soon.” That had taken very little pleading or convincing, and her lower half tightened in anticipation.
“You will. Later.” And Kylie was off, leaving her to wonder two things: what wine to bring, and what to wear.
Seven
Kylie knew she was a fool.
She had to be, to get involved with Brittany, and this early in the summer, to boot.
But those dark brown eyes had flashed with determination as Brittany had accused her of avoiding the girl, and that offer had come to go on Joe’s trips during the season and…yeah. Yeah, she’d had to at least have a taste.
So she went home, rinsed off, and threw on a white button-down over cut-offs and a tank top, hoping she looked marginally hip. Enchiladas in the oven, and all she had to do was wait.
Sadie bounced in her lap, her sweet girl begging a pet and a snuggle. The border collie could sense her excitement, and was ramped up, ready to play.
“Hey, baby girl. I hope you like her, because I want her to spend the night.” If it was organic and right. She wasn’t going to force it. That made things awkward and drove people away. Including her. No, she could let this happen naturally. “This is dinner. And wine. It can go right there and stop.”
Sadie tilted her head, panting, trying to figure out words that weren’t ball, treat, or run.
“I know. I know. People are strange.” She chuckled and rubbed Sadie’s ears. “They worry about stupid stuff.”
Sadie barked, jumping down to barrel to the door, and she had a feeling Brittany was there.
“Sit, girl. Good girl, letting me know someone is here.” She rubbed Sadie’s ears as she opened the door just before Brittany could knock.
“Nice alarm,” Brittany said. “Aw, a border collie. Hey, love. Aren’t you a pretty…girl.” Brittany winked. “I peeked.”
“I appreciate that you honor her privacy and her pronouns. Come on in.”
