Page 16 of Unravel Me

“Nah. A guy determined to track down a cutie he connected with? Girls eat that shit up. Plus, if you felt something, something that might be real…” He shrugs again. “You don’t wanna lose that chance. Chase it.”

I watch him quietly for a moment, casually drinking his beer as he stares out at the mountains. “You don’t have a soft spot, Jaxon, do you?”

“Nah, fuck that.”

“Sounds like you’re a softie for love underneath that tough exterior.” My grin grows as he shakes his head. “Sounds like you might know how to actually court a woman, not just sleep with her.”

“All right.” He yanks my beer out of my hands and strides toward the house. “You’ve had enough. I’m making you a coffee.”

I chuckle as he heads inside, and Bear cracks his sleepy eyes, looking up at me beneath the setting sun.

“What do you think, Bear? Do we give it a shot?” I blow out a breath as the sun does its final dip and the stars begin to paint the sky. “Maybe she’ll like us for exactly who we are.”

* * *

Did I really let Jaxon talk me into this?

“What am I doing here?” I look down at Bear, where he waits patiently, then back at the small building in front of me. I throw my arms up. “Let’s go. This is stupid. It’s probably not even the right shelter. And she probably won’t even remember us.”

Bear gives me an angrywoof, like he’s disagreeing about how memorable I seem to think he is. He takes his leash in his teeth and tugs, trying to lead me toward Wildheart Animal Sanctuary.

“C’mon, buddy. Let’s go. If we’re meant to see her again, then—”

The sound of soft laughter steals my words when the front door opens, and a German Shepherd leaps outside, all but dragging a little thing with honey blonde and rose gold waves tumbling from the messy bun on top of her head.

I watch as Piglet trots forward three quick steps before jumping into the air, like she’s never been so excited, and Rosie can’t get enough of it.

Bear whimpers at the sight of them, those two girls who might have stolen a spot in our hearts a week ago, and two pairs of eyes snap to us. Piglet cowers, hiding between Rosie’s legs until she recognizes us. Slowly, she steps back into the sunshine, looks up at Rosie, back to us, and starts wagging that tail of hers.

Rosie’s eyes flash with recognition, surprise, and the knots in my stomach tighten as I battle between the urge to run and the desire to stay.

“Adam?”

“Hi, Rosie.” It comes out super fucking croaky, and I palm the back of my clammy neck as she approaches me slowly, curiosity dancing in her soft, jade eyes. “I, uh…I wasn’t sure if this was the right shelter, but it’s the closest one, and I figured maybe you normally go at the same time every Saturday, and…” I clear my throat into my fist. “I thought it would be nice if the dogs could hike together again, since they seemed to really like each other. You know, for the dogs.”

That grin grows, so huge, so dazzling, and Rosie bobs her head in agreement. “Oh, yes. Definitely. For the dogs.”

“And maybe me too,” I admit. “I, um…I liked walking with you. And talking with you. And eating you. No, fuck.” I squeeze my eyes shut and shake my head. “Fuck, no, that’s not what I—eatingwithyou. Your sandwiches. Not your…” I gesture at her crotch. Holy fuck,I gestured at her fucking crotch. I’m turning into Garrett.

I need help. I need an intervention. I have a crush, and I don’t know what to do with it. It’s been way too long. Should I call Carter? Is he really my best bet for advice? No, I’ll call Olivia. She’s sensible. She can help me through this. Maybe she can gather the girls.

I point down the sidewalk. “I’ll just go now.”

A burst of laughter chases behind me when I turn around. Everything inside me settles at Rosie’s next words, at her hand wrapping around my wrist, stopping me.

“We’d love to walk with you.”

CHAPTER5

TROUBLE WITH A CAPITAL T

ADAM

She’s so pretty.Does she know how pretty she is? Her hair looks so soft, I just want to touch it. She’s got these freckles, like liquid gold, dotting the bridge of her nose and sweeping over her cheekbones. Her chin has the tiniest dimple in it, right there in the middle, and when she smiles, I—

“You’re making me nervous.”

I trip over my feet, jolting forward. “What?”

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