Page 57 of Hound Dog
From a few yards away, I watched as Haylee chatted up some jocks. She twirled her hair as she offered them guacamole samples.
Something told me they were less into the guacamole and more into the girl serving it.
Eyes still focused on Haylee, I said, “I hear you, Simon. I agree, she’s probably not the one. But it’s better to get the number than to regret not getting it.” I paused. “Don’t worry, man. Coffee shops can sometimes be hit or miss. If it doesn’t work out today, you and I will try again soon.”
I tore my eyes away from Haylee, bringing my focus back to Simon as I muted my microphone. He put away his book and smiled down at Rosie.
He seemed to like the dog, even if she was a little yappy. I didn’t think it was a love connection, though, and I doubted he would adopt her. Which was okay. We’d find Rosie’s home soon. I had no doubts about that.
But in the meantime, I thought for sure there’d be a cute, nerdy coffee shop girl for him here.
I hated being wrong. But also, this was the fun part about the job. Most of the time it was too easy. Simon was a puzzle. And I loved a good puzzle. Even if I didn’t have all the pieces yet.
Haylee came running back over, her long, curly hair swinging behind her like a Pantene commercial. My insides twisted.
Screw that Ben guy.Does he have any idea how fucking lucky he was?
Where the hell did that thought even come from? I wasn’t the guy who met a girl and started picturing what our lives would be like together long term.
Haylee’s different, a little voice in the back of my head said. She’d always been different. It was why I didn’t sleep with her back then. It wasn’t just to protect her.
I knew that she was the kind of girl who could make me want more. Want what Neil and Elaina had. What Liam and Chloe had.
She made mewant, dammit.
And that made me hella uncomfortable.
“I won four more!” she cried, smiling from ear to ear.
“Uh, I don’t think so. You have to actuallysellthe hotdog with the guac of choice to get the tally up. And I don’t see anyone buying a hotdog with those free samples you gave out.”
Just as I finished saying that, the four jocks she’d been talking to came up behind her. Every last one of them was staring at her ass. And they ordered hotdogs… withherguacamole.
Gritting my teeth, I served them their stupid dogs and took their money. “Oh, is this how you want to play it?” I whispered.
She merely blinked innocently back at me. “What do you mean?”
I grinned and tugged my shirt overhead, sitting back shirtless. “Honey, Beefcakes has made this town Bachelorette Central. If you want to play dirty, I’m the King of Dirty.”
Her brow arched, pupils dilating as they swept across my bare torso. The heat of her gaze lingered over my abs, and my cock twitched beneath her heated stare.
Clearing her throat, she snapped her gaze forward, away from me. “So I’ve heard.”
Chapter Seventeen
Finn
I hoppedup the front steps to Mom’s house, the full tote bag of leftovers slung over my shoulder, and gave a quiet knock on the door before I let myself in. As usual, I was the last to arrive, even though it was my turn to provide dinner for the family.
“Thank God,” Addy said as I entered the kitchen. “I’m starving.”
“Sorry,” I muttered. “Work ran late.”
Neil and Elaina came over to help as I unloaded the various Tupperware containers, setting them out on the counter.
“Hotdogs,” Neil said, eying me carefully. “So, it’s true?”
“It’s true,” I said. Mom came over and put her arm around me.
