Page 14 of Rescue Me (Forget the Past 1)

Glancing up at Dash, I pick up on the discomfort and indecision on his face. My urge is to keep pushing for what I want. My brain wants to babble at him until he gives in and says yes.

But that way I might end up doing more harm than good. Time to treat him like one of my reluctant writers. When I’m editing a manuscript, some authors just need me to lay out my argument then take a step back. That way, they can come to a conclusion on their own terms and be happier with the end result.

Time to give Dash the room he needs to make his own decision.

“Here’s the deal, Dash. I want you. Pumpkin wants you. I’ll pay you for each lesson, and you can tell me how much.” I pull open my passenger side door and push aside the overflow of dog toys. Pumpkin stretches her head in between the seats to watch my movements and I pause long enough to press a kiss to her giant blockhead.

After a moment, I locate the book I finished reading this morning. I use a green pen from my glove compartment to scribble a quick note inside the front cover. Then I turn and offer the book to Dash. “There’s my cell number. If you decide you’re up for lessons, text me.”

His long fingers reach out hesitantly as if he thinks the pages will bite him.

“You’re giving me a book?” He sounds incredulous.

“I’m giving you my number. In a book. So technically, yes.”

His dark eyes flick between me and the cover, which has a woman in a regency era fuchsia dress.

Doing my best to interpret his hesitation, I reassure him. “Don’t worry. I’ve already read it.”

Dash’s eyebrows still sit high on his forehead.

I’ve done something weird.

What’s new?

“Why didn’t you just use a scrap piece of paper?”

I shrug. “I don’t have any. I just have the book. It’s really good. Even if you don’t call me, you should think about reading it.”

His dark eyes trace the woman in the hot pink historical gown then slowly drag his sultry gaze back up to mine.

Excited tingles shiver down my spine. To cover the reaction, I give him my biggest, most reassuring grin. “I swear. It’s fantastic. Think about it. And think about me.” Blood flushes hot in my cheeks, and I fight the urge to smack my forehead. One of these days I hope to have an acceptable string of words come out of my mouth. “I mean, Pumpkin and me. Think about the two of us. Helping us out. Because we need you.”

Oh no. I am quickly approaching a babbling cliff and am in great danger of slipping right off. Better head out before I say or do something to permanently put Dash off.

“Well. I’ll…just go now.” I walk backward around the hood of my car until I reach the driver’s side door.

Dash watches my retreat, an unreadable expression on his face.

Only once I’m pulling out of the parking lot do I risk a glance in the rearview mirror. He’s still standing where I left him, clutching a paperback romance novel with my phone number written in the front cover.

The last man I saw like this, I never wanted to look at again. But this time, I find myself throwing out a silent wish that this won’t be my last sight of the handsome dog whisperer.

Chapter Five

DASH

I stare at the pile of T-Shirts on my bed, wondering when, exactly, I went crazy. Choosing what to wear when I’m just going to train a dog shouldn’t be difficult. I shouldn’t even have to think about it. But for some reason, I’ve tried on half the shirts I own and discarded all of them.

I should cancel.

When I gave in and texted Paige yesterday, I decided to up the price and then back out if she tried to haggle with me. Problem is, she agreed right away.

Now I’m stuck.

“What’s up with you?” My roommate’s voice startles me, and I whip around to find Cole leaning on the doorway between my bedroom and the kitchen. In our shotgun-style house, he has to use my room as a go-between to get to his, unless he wants to walk out the back door and circle around to the front. Not the best layout when I’m trying to brood in seclusion.

“Nothing. What’s wrong with you?” My deflection is pathetic.

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