Page 62 of Sit, Stay, Love
‘Thank you for being kind to him back there,’ she said. ‘And for not making fun of him.’
‘You think I’d make fun of him for getting bitten?’
‘No. I know you wouldn’t.’
He ran a hand through his hair as he stared at his feet, his teeth pressing deep into his bottom lip.
‘I’m sorry if I was a bit grumpy with you today,’ she said.
He shrugged. ‘I deserved it.’
She chewed on the inside of her cheek as an uneasy silence swallowed them.
‘Hey,’ she said, ducking her head to catch his gaze. ‘How about we go out for that dinner tonight?’
‘You don’t have to have a pity dinner with me, Ser. I’m perfectly fine.’
She shoved him. ‘As if. You’re going to be paying, that’s how much I pity you. Actually, I do pity you, with what I’m going to rack up on your credit card.’
His mouth quirked into a smile and he chuckled. ‘What about your movie star?’
She tilted her head to the side. ‘I’ll tell him I’m hanging out with my best friend.’
He shoved off the truck, pushed his floppy curls from his warm brown eyes and gazed down at her. ‘Would you like me to pick you up?’ he asked softly as he stepped closer.
Her breath hitched. He was very nearly touching her, and she instantly flashed back to the night on her couch, with his fingertips lightly stroking her skin, and the heat that buried itself between her thighs. She blew out a quiet breath.This has to stop.These thoughts about her friend had to stop.
‘I think you’d better,’ she said a little too brightly. ‘I intend to order all the cocktails and put them on your tab.’ She made a clicking sound with her tongue, winked and gave him an epically awkward double finger gun gesture.
He frowned in judgement. ‘What was that?’
She slumped. ‘I have no idea.’
He smiled and shook his head. ‘I’ll pick you up at seven, you weirdo.’
‘Takes one to know one.’
Sera found Ethan sitting on the couch in the rescue reception area with Buffy at his feet, and her heart melted a little.
‘Is Buff taking care of you?’ she asked, dropping onto the cushions beside him.
‘She hasn’t left my side.’
‘How’s the bite?’
‘It’s nothing. Tiny. I washed it. Sorry I made such a big deal.’
She rested a hand on his thigh. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t there with you. It was stupid and thoughtless.’
He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it. ‘You told me to clean out the empty kennels. I chose to go into an area with a bunch of dogs I didn’t know and be the tough guy. The stupid is all on me.’
‘Let’s not argue over which one of us is more stupid. Let’s just agree we’re both idiots.’
Ethan laughed.
‘I’ll get some antiseptic,’ she said. ‘Are you up on your tetanus shots?’ She grabbed the first-aid kit from behind the desk.
He nodded. ‘Got to have all that stuff current for on-set insurance.’
