Page 59 of Hound Dog
Pushing my tongue into my cheek, I turned to look at Chloe. Her blue eyes sparkled back at me.
“That’s a creative idea,” I said.
“Itis. You know, as someone who’s kept a lot of secrets myself, I kind of understand why this dating app guy would keep his identity under wraps from the public. But I hope he has someone he can confide in that he trusts.”
Tongs in hand, I turned the hotdogs over, watching as they sizzled and the charcoal lines formed across their bodies. “I bet he does,” I said.
“Good.” She nodded. “And I would hope that if he ever needed marketing, he would know he could break his silence and ask for help from a trusted friend… or future sister-in-law.”
I chuckled and closed the lid to let the hotdogs cook a few more minutes. “Anyone ever tell you you’re the queen of subtlety, Chloe?”
Her eyes widened and she pressed her palm to her sternum. “I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, but subtle isn’t usually one of them.”
“You know—and I’m not confirming anything here—but the more you knew, the more I’d be asking you to keep from my brother. And I’m not exactly willing to do that.”
“As a marketing consultant, I sign NDAs for companies all the time, Finn. Business confidentiality is different from family secrets. And I think Liam and I understand more than anyone how important it is to keep some business choices quiet at first.”
Wasn’t that the truth. They had lied to everyone and pretended to be in a relationship for the publicity when they started their food truck. Of course, that kind of blew up in their faces.
I was hoping to get through this without anything blowing up in my face.
“How’d you know it was me?” I asked. “Just the fact that there are two business names doing two completely different things doesn’t seem like a strong enough correlation.”
She smiled. “I saw you in the park chatting with a guy I went to college with. Nice guy, but kind of a dummy.”
I squeezed my eyes shut.Dammit, Greg.
She continued, “Then, he posted that he adopted two dogs from Maple Grove’s rescue, even though I know he lives forty minutes away. And he talked about meeting a girl with the help of a matchmaker. I put two and two together.”
Chloe leaned in and tapped the rim of her beer to mine. “Don’t worry. I’m very good with secrets. As long as they’re not hurting anyone.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. Hell, I’d never even thought about marketing. Never imagined we would be able to afford a marketing consultant this soon. But maybe Chloe could help me find another animal rescue to partner with?
“Now, tell me about this new girl you’ve been spending time with… Haylee something?”
I rolled my eyes. “How do you know aboutthat?”
She winked. “I have my ways. Nowspill.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “Do your ‘ways’ happen to have red hair and a big mouth?”
In lieu of an answer, she grinned.
“Can we go back to talking about Hound Dog now?” I groaned.
“Yes! I was thinking of taglines! What aboutHound Dog: Sign up today for the perfect Dog Date Afterno—” she squeaked the final word, cutting herself off as she glanced over my shoulder.
Standing there in the open doorway was my mom. Eyeing both of us.
Shit.I took a casual drink of my beer and gave Mom a nod.
“What are you two talking about out here?” she asked, eyes narrowed.
Chloe and I exchanged a quick look before I finally said, “Chloe was giving me some marketing tips. For Hound Dog.”
Mom made a thoughtful hm sound, but didn’t say anything more.
Thankfully, my family chose that moment to all come bounding out of the house.
