Page 77 of Hound Dog
“Dude.” Enzo’s voice pulled my focus from Haylee.
“What?”
She gave me a sideways grin. “Youlikeher.”
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the tiny flip my stomach did.
“And she likes you back.”
My spine straightened. “What makes you say that?”
“Just a hunch.”
And just like that, my hope deflated. A ‘hunch’ from Enzo was as reliable as a sundial at night. “No offense, Enzo, but that’s not exactly promising, coming from you.”
“Hey!” She smacked the back of her hand against my chest and adjusted herself in her seat. “You’re not the only natural matchmaker here, you know. I’ve been watching you work long enough to have picked up on a thing or two.”
“We’ve only been in business a few weeks.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t just mean working in the business. I’ve watched you pick up women since high school. There’s something different about how you are with her.” She paused, taking a bite of Addy’s signature strawberry shortcake that she served on Friday nights.
Yep, Bombshells had a weird ass menu. Chili. Paninis. And strawberry shortcake. Yet, it seemed to work for this clientele. “And there’s something different about howsheis with you.”
I drummed my fingers against the table and propped a foot up on the rung of her stool. “Okay, enlighten me. How so?”
“Well, to start with, she doesn’t fall all over herself when you walk through the door,” Enzo grunted and licked the strawberry syrup from her fork. “And you… I don’t know. You’re not so…” her words faded and, she gave me a few finger guns.
“I’m not so… cheesy like the star of an 80s movie?”
“Youknowwhat I mean. You’re not so—”
“Full of shit,” Addy finished for her, joining us again after she finished serving. “You’re not so full of shit around Haylee.”
Enzo put a finger to her nose and pointed the other at Addy. “Exactly.”
“I’m not full of shit around women!” I defended myself.
Both girls rolled their eyes. “Fine,” Enzo finally said after sharing a look with Addy. “Then let’s just say you’re more like yourself around her.”
That might be true. But that still didn’t explain why Enzo thought Haylee might like me back. “What do you guys know about this boyfriend of hers?” I asked.
“I know she doesn’t talk about him a lot,” Addy said.
“And there aren’t many photos of him on her social media,” Enzo added. “Even her relationship status says ‘in a relationship’ but it doesn’t tag him or anything. Not even in the few photos they share together.”
“Yeah,” Addy said. “But he’s a lawyer. He may just be super careful with what he puts out there.”
“Maybe. But it’s still weird. Looks suspicious to me,” Enzo said.
I stared at Addy’s tattoo, thinking aloud. “Itisweird she doesn’t talk about him more, right?”
Addy shrugged. “I don’t talk about the guys I’m seeing much.”
“Me neither,” Enzo chimed in.
“Okay, but you’re not seeing anyone, Enzo. And Addy’s only had one serious boyfriend that I’ve known of.”
My sister’s brow arched. “You’re one to talk.”
