Page 12 of Rescue Me (Forget the Past 1)

“It’s more than just buying the right supplies, Paige. Even though Pumpkin passed the behavior tests, she’s still going to need some obedience training.” I run my hand through my hair as worries start to pop up in my mind. So many things could go wrong.

“Okay. I can do that. I’ll get a trainer. I promise.” Paige blinks up at me, a question in her hazel eyes. “Do you have any recommendations?”

Some of the tension eases from my chest. “I’ve got a list somewhere in my office. I can email it to you.”

Paige opens her mouth to respond, but whatever she was about to say gets cut off by an excited bark behind her. We turn simultaneously to watch Pumpkin launch herself out of the backseat, making a beeline for one of the feral cats that often wanders the rescue’s property.

Working on pure instinct, I let out an eardrum-piercing whistle. By some stroke of luck, it gets Pumpkin to pause and glance back at me. Maintaining eye contact and pitching my voice low, I speak one firm word.

“Sit.”

Thank the universe, she actually does. Not realizing Paige had moved, I’m surprised to find her already beside the dog, looping the leash around the animal’s thick neck.

When the two of them get back to the car, I notice Paige’s hands have a slight quiver to them. I’m about to point out that this is exactly why training is so necessary when she cuts me off.

“I want you.”

I almost swallow my tongue. I cough to get it out of my throat before responding. “You want me?”

Paige directs Pumpkin into the backseat of the car and closes the door firmly before giving me back her attention.

“Yes! Don’t bother sending me that list. I wantyou. Besides, Pumpkin already likes you. I don’t know how she’d be with a stranger.”

The true meaning of her words dawns on me, and I silently berate myself for letting even a little bit of excitement filter into my brain.

“You want me to be your dog trainer.”

“Yes. Exactly.” Paige nods as she reaches through the cracked window to scratch behind Pumpkin’s ears. “When can you start?”

“I don’t train dogs.” That’s not technically true. I used to train them all the time, and I tend to help out with the dogs in the shelter whenever we’re short-staffed, which is a lot of the time.

Still, I know any further association with Paige Herbert is sure to tilt my world off its precarious axis. Better she leaves today, and I never interact with her again.

“But you know how don’t you? I mean, what you just did, that was like, a dog whisperer level display. You have puppy magic.” She wiggles her hand in front of Pumpkin’s nose as if casting a spell.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything more adorable.

“Please, Dash.”

Refusing Paige would be so much easier if she weren’t looking up at me like I’m some kind of hero.

Would it really be that bad? To help her out?

I could show her how to handle a dog like Pumpkin. I could spend some more time around her. Get to hear her strange ramblings a couple more times. Maybe I could move in close enough to smell her earthy coffee scent or even reach out to stroke her temptingly soft skin.

Shit. Bad idea.

“There are better dog trainers in this city. Trust me. You’ll be better off with one of them.”

“But I wantyou.”

Hell. Could she please stop saying that?

An idea for how to get out of the situation dawns on me. A solution that will wipe away all that worship and eliminate any inkling of want she might have. Paige is too sweet, too innocent, to be comfortable around the real me.

All I need to do is be honest.

“Look. It’s not a good idea. You don’t want to be around someone like me. I’m on parole.”

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