Page 14 of Sweet on You
“M-maybe. I don’t know. He’s um, he’s not the most well-trained dog. And I don’t really bring him to the gym with me much because some customers have allergies and stuff.”
“I thought you said he was hypo-allergenic.”
Ah, so I did. And this, my friends, is why you don’t freaking lie. Especially when you’re as bad at it as I am. “Right. He is. But…”
“Even some hypo-allergenic dogs aren’t safe for people with severe allergies,” Yvonne cut in. “It takes care of most allergies, but occasionally, you have someone allergic to their saliva or their dander.”
I hitched a thumb toward Yvonne. “Right. What she said.”
“Well… why don’t we take Penny for a hike tomorrow then?”
“Oh, I don’t know…”
Behind my back, Yvonne squeezed me and I shifted my gaze to her widened eyes. It was like she was telling me to say yes.
“Aw, come on. I finally have help at the bakery three times a week.” He said, beaming. “Finally hit a point where I could afford to staff the place with someone other than myself. I don’t want to squander the free time I’ve been given with his help.”
“Okay,” I said carefully. “I need to check my training schedule to make sure I don’t have anyone else on the schedule, though.”
“I’m your last client every day this week. Callie made sure to tell me so when I booked the week.”
“Did she, now?” Inside, I alternated between seething and wanting to hug my sister.
“So… a hike tomorrow? You bring Penny and I’ll bring Frost.”
I winced. “Um, sure. But… what if Penny and Frost don’t get along? It could be a disaster.”
Yvonne waved her hand. “Oh, I’m sure it’ll be fine,” she said. “Lex, do you want to join us for dinner?”
My head snapped to Yvonne who ignored me, a cocky little smirk on her petal pink lips. Why are my friends and siblings such freaking traitors?
“Or,” Yvonne continued, “Do you need to get back to your date?”
Awareness passed over Lex’s features as he realized what she was doing. He gave a small chuckle and pointed at the door. “Well, first of all, Lana’s not my date. She’s a—um, she’s just a friend.”
Yvonne and I didn’t share a look, but we both felt it. Bullshit. That woman was more than a friend. And it was obvious in the way he stuttered that he was at least hiding something. He fidgeted, shifting his weight to the other foot and scratched the back of his neck. From beneath his arm, he moved the large envelope into his other hand. “I would love to stay for dinner, however, I have some things I need to handle first.” He shook the envelope. “Boring work things, you know?”
I nodded. “Sure. Maybe next time.”
He nodded, his gaze drifting to his feet before he stopped himself and turned back to me once more, taking a step closer. His hand landed gently at my elbow and he gave me a light squeeze, his turquoise eyes locking into mine.
My lips parted independently of my own doing as I sucked in a sharp breath. He was intoxicatingly handsome. And when his hand was on me, I could hardly breathe, let alone think clearly. Whichsowasn’t like me.
“I mean that, you know. I wouldloveto have dinner with you sometime.” He swallowed, his throat working hard with the movement as his eyes flicked briefly to the envelope in his other hand. “It just seems to be that our timing is always off with each other.”
I chuckled in a way that was wrought with more sorrow than humor. “Isn’t that the truth?”
“Maybe soon, our timing will be right?”
“Maybe.”Doubtfully.
“Goodnight, Ronnie.” His hand skimmed down the length of my arm, landing at the back of my hand, his fingers intentionally—or seemingly intentionally—lingering there for a breath longer before he turned and exited the restaurant. The hostess came up to us, two menus in hand.
“Tripp, party of two?”
I nodded and Yvonne and I followed her in silence to our table until we sat, face to face and my best friend’s brows lifted. “So. We need to get you a dog, don’t we?”
