Page 45 of Average Joe

I covered my mouth, stifling my laughter.

Ginger barked louder, pouncing at Joe’s fingers, enjoying the game.

“Come on, sweetie, cut me a break. Our uptight neighbor hates me enough already. Let’s not give her another reason.”

Uptight neighbor? Ouch.

He grabbed at the dog, and she only yapped harder at his hand.

“Fuck!” he shouted.

“Morning, Joe,” I said, scooping Ginger off the ground again. “Lose something?”

A mumbled “Shit” sounded through the fence.“Uh, yeah. Sorry about the hole.”

“You can fill it later. I’ll bring her over.”

“Uh, thanks.”

I made my way around front where Joe waited on his porch, shirtless, sleepy, and scrumptious.

I would not stare at that chest. I would not. “You got a dog.”

He met me at the bottom step. “A wise lady once told me a dog would cure loneliness.”

Sadness haunted his features, stabbing me in the chest, and I ached to reach out and caress his scruffy cheek. Jeez, I was such a sap.

I hadn’t seen Joe in over a week, although, according to Lilly, he’d been through Pink Sweets daily, conveniently when my shift was over.

I shoved the wiggling fuzzball into his naked arms. “Well, she’s just about the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen.”

Those big, beautiful eyes sizzled. Joe curled Ginger into his neck, rubbing his cheek against the dirty fur. “Yep. She’s perfect.” He kissed her, his full lips pressing against the top of her head. I could swear the puppy swooned and sighed.

I knew how she felt. The man had beautiful lips—talented, too.

Who turned up the heat? Gah, my throat was parched.

“Well, keep her out of my yard, please. And for crying out loud, don’t let her yap all night. Or at least be decent enough to close your window.”

“Naughty girl,” he said to the dog. “Did someone disturb our neighbor’s beauty sleep?” He held the pooch in both hands and nuzzled her snout.

My ovaries threatened to explode.

“I was about to shoot a hole through your bedroom window last night,” I warned. “Keep her quiet, please.”

“Neighbor lady’s violent, too.” Nuzzle. Nuzzle.

Dear God. Baby talking to the puppy. A cold shower was in order.

“You have no idea.” I flashed my best angry face, but my forced crossness landed in pieces at my feet when he laughed and kissed the dog on her head again.

Joe turned, retreating through his open door. “See ya ’round, neighbor.” The door slammed in my face before I could respond.

My chest deflated.

How pathetic. I was jealous of that little bitch.

Joe

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