Page 7 of Perfect Bragg

I kiss her cheek as I pass her on my way to the living room. She stands in the hallway frozen for a while before shaking herself and marching to the kitchen.

“I’ll wear her down,” I whisper to Black Ops who moans and covers his eyes. I address Pup Tart and Little Bow Wow, “You two believe in me, don’t you?”

They don’t respond as they twirl around twenty-seven times before settling in the corner of the sofa where I always sit.

“No treats for you next time,” I grumble.

Chapter 3

Welp. I didn’t see that coming. ~ Text from Harmony to Eden

Ifrown when I notice my purse is not in its usual place on the table in the hallway near the door in my house.

“Black Ops!” I holler, but my black Labrador doesn’t come running the way he usually does when I’m at the front door.

“Where did you hide my purse this time?”

I march to the living room where Black Ops is laying in his doggy bed. He doesn’t respond when I enter the room. He might as well scream GUILTY – assuming dogs could talk. There’s a reason I changed his name from Blackie to Black Ops when I adopted him, after all.

“Black Ops,” I growl.

He whines and covers his eyes with his front paws. I can’t help but notice how cute he is – if only for a second – he’s still a thief. And he’s never going to change.

“Show me.”

He whimpers in response. He’s a drama dog. He’s not scared of me. He knows I would never hurt him. The most danger he’s in from me is from getting suffocated with hugs.

I stomp my foot. I don’t have time for this. As much as I’d love to stay at home all cuddled up with him and my other dogs, I can’t. Today is Eden’s party to celebrate her new business venture withNaked Falls Brewing.I need to be there to support my friend.

Elder being part owner of the brewery has nothing to do with it. I’m not longing to see him. I’m not.Liar.

“Fine. I’ll find my purse myself.”

I check all his usual hiding spots – doggy beds, under the sofa, under the bed, in the closet – and finally locate my purse behind my mud boots in the hallway closet.

“I’m going to stop using a purse if you keep this up,” I tell Black Ops.

He barks from where he’s now standing at the end of the hallway. “I’m serious.”

My other dogs, Pup Tart and Little Bow Wow, slink to his side. Pup Tart tilts her head to the side while Little Bow Wow perks his ears up. They are so dang cute! It’s hard to refuse them when they gang up on me this way. But I can’t give in today.

“Must support Eden,” I mutter to myself.

Although, today’s party is officially to celebrate the collaboration betweenEden’s GardenandNaked Falls Brewing,the real celebration is for the relationship between Eden and Elder’s twin, Miller.

Eden and Miller fought – literally – their attraction to each other for over a year, but they’ve finally overcome their fears and are adorably in love. I’m happy for my friend. She has what I never can have – a loving relationship.

“I won’t be long,” I tell the dogs and they scurry away. I swear Black Ops gives me a disappointing shake of his head first.

I hop on my bike and pedal to the brewery. Although I live slightly outside of town, it isn’t long before I’m leaning my bike against the building.

The second I enter, I can feel eyes on me despite how packed the place is. I scan the room until my gaze connects with Elder’s. His look could ignite a fire and my belly warms in response. I tell my belly in no uncertain terms to calm down. Nothing can happen between me and Elder.

The man has made it no secret how he wants more than friendship from me. It’s tempting. Too tempting. I wish I could love him. But I can’t. He deserves someone better than me. Someone who’s worthy of him.

He prowls toward me, and I have to lock my muscles from launching myself at him as his long legs eat up the distance between us. I love a tall man considering I’m fairly tall myself at five-eight. And those lean, compact muscles? My tongue longs to taste them.

He smiles and the dimple on his right cheek pops out. Another part of his anatomy my tongue longs to taste. The man is temptation personified. But I will resist. I must.

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