Page 39 of A Little Tempting
I nod. “Yeah, I get it. I’ll see you inside.”
“Can I ask you something?” she calls before I even take three steps.
Facing her again, I say, “Sure.”
“Why’d you choose a puppy?”
“Hmm?”
“I mean…you actually found a puppy for the photo shoot when we both know I mentioned other things that make me happy. Ice cream. Family. I feel like the puppy was the most work, you know?”
She isn’t wrong. I borrowed Winnie from one of my clients in exchange for me attending her ex’s wedding in a couple months free of charge. After seeing Dylan light up, it confirmed my decision, no matter how stupid it was at the time. Honestly, I could buy a puppy for less, but I didn’t have the heart to return it once I was done using it for the photo shoot. My real problem is I have a feeling I'm willing to sacrifice a lot more than one weekend for a girl like Dylan. No. Forher.Dylan andonlyDylan.
Lifting my shoulder, I admit, “I’m not afraid to put in a little work, Dyl. I’ll see you in a minute.”
“Okay.”
9
REEVES
Everett’s in the bleachers beside Dylan. I shouldn’t find it annoying, but I do. She’s showing him something on her phone, and his arm is wrapped around the back of her seat, making the two look like a happy little couple.
Yeah, he definitely wants in her pants. The question is, what will he do about it now that she has someone else interested in her? Can he feel the clock ticking? The way she’s slowly slipping through his fingers? Is he worried?
It’s a stupid question. He’s here, isn’t he?
Yeah. The bastard’s worried. Good. He should be.
“Hey, Ev,” I say as I make my way down the cement steps and pause by the red plastic seat he’s lounging in.
“Hey,” he replies.
“What are you doin’ here?”
He keeps his arm planted around the back of Dylan’s seat, answering, “I’m giving Dylan a ride home after you guys finish.”
My eyes slice to Dylan’s. “I can give you a ride.”
“Nah, it’s all good,” Everett answers for her. “Your skates are on the bench.”
Annoyance simmers beneath my skin, but I don’t acknowledge it. “Great. Thanks.”
I take the stairs two at a time, finding my skates where Everett said they’d be, although there’s a second pair beside them. Seeing them there makes me pause.
“These yours?” I ask as Dylan follows behind me on the concrete steps.
“Yup.”
“You skate?”
“I have two older brothers who play hockey and a professional hockey player for a dad,” she replies. “What do you think?”
“Well, all right, then.” I scoot over on the bench and start lacing up while Dylan does the same. It’s one of the first times I’ve seen her confident in something. She slides the white laces into place along her hockey skates and loops them into a knot like a seasoned pro. Part of me wonders if she plays. The other part knows how clumsy she can be. The likelihood of adding slippery ice to the equation is probably a bad idea. Still, I am curious. Once we’re both ready to head onto the rink, I start skating backward, watching as Dylan joins me, balancing her camera on her shoulder.
“So if you have two older brothers who play hockey and a professional hockey player for a dad, why don’t you play?” I ask.
“I did.” She lifts the camera and snaps a quick picture.