by Gary, Codi
Finally getting the shirt over the dog’s head, he lifted one paw and then the other into the sleeves until it was finally in place. Smoothing it down over Beast’s body, Oliver grimaced. “I’ll tell you, buddy, I never thought I would be the type of guy to put clothes on his dog.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation, I think he looks adorable,” Eve said behind him.
Oliver turned, and when she got a look at his face, she paled.
“Oh my God, Oliver, what happened?”
Oliver had known she was going to freak when she saw the massive bruising on his cheek, but he hadn’t expected her to race toward him and reach up like she was going to touch it.
He leaned back away from her hand. “Careful, it’s sore.”
“Of course it is, I’m sorry,” she said, dropping her hand. “What did you do?”
“What makes you think I did something?” Beast had already pushed his way between them, waiting for Eve to notice him.
Eve knelt down and stroked Beast’s head, studying both dog and master behind those dark-framed glasses and shaking her head. “You two are a mess.”
Beast’s whole body wiggled body when she spoke, and she kissed him on his nose, earning a wet, slobbery tongue lick.
“You poor baby, you look like someone sewed your head back on,” she said.
“He’s lucky. The vet said if he’d kept struggling much longer, he could have hit his jugular and bled out,” Oliver said.
“Well, I’m glad he’s okay now,” she said, standing back up. “You didn’t answer me. Why do you look like you joined a fight club?”
“Bumped into a guy I don’t care for, and it was just the wrong place, wrong time,” he said.
“Do I need to ask what the other guy looks like?” she asked.
“He looks worse, trust me.” Oliver hadn’t actually seen Tate, but he remembered the blood oozing from his lip, the swelling of his eye, and the red imprints of Oliver’s fists across his cheeks and nose. They had dumped him in his car after Tate knocked him out, and he’d woken up sore, sweating, and pissed at himself. At least they hadn’t arrested him, though.
“Well, that’s good, I guess,” she said.
They stood silently for a moment, until Oliver said, “On Monday I go back to being an MP.”
A shadow crossed over her face, and he saw the disappointment in her eyes. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” He debated telling her that he’d tried to transfer, but what good would it do? Neither one of them could change the outcome. Besides, maybe it was stupidly romantic, but if she wanted him, really wanted him the way he wanted her, then it shouldn’t matter.
Fuck, he was an idiot.
Eve stepped forward, moving around Beast to be closer to him, and the sweet, fruity scent of her perfume curled around him.
“Oliver, I—”
“Eve, thank God I found you!” some guy said, rushing toward them.
Eve groaned, and Oliver wanted to tell him to get lost, but she was already turning away from him, back on the job. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s a vendor who isn’t on the list, and we’re having a hell of a time getting him to calm down.”
Before she could tell him she had to go, Oliver let her off the hook. “We’ll see you later.”
Eve caught his eye and mouthed, I’m sorry.
As she walked away, Oliver resumed getting Beast ready, but he couldn’t help wondering what she was sorry for.
EVE TOOK THE stage of the auditorium at eleven, smiling out at the packed house despite her apprehension. She wasn’t completely alone—the auctioneer stood by the podium—but still her heart wouldn’t slow down. She had never been a nervous public speaker, but this was the largest crowd she’d ever addressed, so she figured it was okay that her hands were shaking a little.
Gripping the mic with one hand, she tilted it toward her mouth and spoke.
“Good morning, everyone, and thank you so much for coming out to support our local shelters and these amazing men and women. In the United States, one-point-two million animals are euthanized every year due to overcrowding in shelters and breed discrimination. The Alpha Dog Training Program wants to decrease that number by giving dogs who may have been overlooked a second chance.
“You’ve probably noticed the camo-wearing canines wandering about the event today with their young handlers. These dogs are future heroes, handpicked for this program, so if you get the chance, stop and hand them one of the bones from your goody bags. They have been working hard and deserve a treat. If you haven’t received a goody bag, they are located at the entrances and exits of the auditorium.
“But it’s not just the canines that benefit from Alpha Dog. This program gives at-risk youth a knowledge of animal health, training, and behavior in the hopes that they might turn their lives around. The program assists with job placement, and there is even a scholarship available for a student pursuing a degree in Animal Health.”
Loud applause greeted her words, and she relaxed a little.
“Today, the amazing trainers from Alpha Dog have donated their time and knowledge to you and the adorable adoptable dogs we are about to present. These dogs are from local shelters and have been given a grade of ‘A’ by an animal behaviorist. That means they would be an excellent addition to any home.
“In this auction, you will be bidding on a picnic lunch with both the dog and trainer, as well as a half-hour obedience lesson. All proceeds will be divided between the shelters and rescues participating in today’s event. That means that one hundred percent of the money we raise goes to medical treatments, food, and shelter for the animals while they wait for their forever home. Today, we encourage you to take lots of pictures and share them on social media. Use the hashtag #pawscause and tag Alpha Dog Training Program on any platform.” Taking a deep breath, she concluded, “So, what do you think? Are you ready to meet them?”
Cheers erupted from the crowd, and Eve laughed. “Well, all right, then. Our first cute canine is Thor, who is accompanied by Alpha Dog’s head search-and-rescue trainer, Sergeant Dean Sparks.”
As Sparks jogged onto the stage with a blond, medium-sized dog, Eve could almost hear the collective sigh from the women in the audience.
She grinned. “Aren’t they pretty to look at?” The crowd laughed, and Eve continued, “Thor is a five-year-old golden retriever mix whose favorite pastimes are playing fetch, swimming, and having his long, golden locks brushed. He knows basic obedience and would make an awesome jogging and camping buddy. He promises to bring unconditional love and laughter to his new home and to never leave your side. As for his picnic lunch, he’s chosen to share fried chicken, coleslaw, and buttermilk biscuits with the human who wins his time. Let’s start the bidding at a hundred dollars.”
Several paddles rose, and the auctioneer started taking the bids. As he rambled faster and faster, Eve nodded at Dean. Before the auction, she’d told the trainers to showcase their dogs by playing on their strengths. According to the shelter, Thor was quite the ham and, along with his basic training, could do a few fun tricks, one of which was playing dead.
“Bang, bang,” Dean said loudly, pointing his finger like a gun at Thor. Thor immediately fell and rolled onto his back, lying completely still but for his open mouth and lolling tongue. The audience laughed, and a collective “aw” rose up among the flurry of bids. Finally, a woman in her mid-forties won Thor and Dean for seven hundred and fifty dollars.
“Fantastic showing, guys!” Eve shifted Thor’s index card to the back of the stack and announced the next dog and trainer team.
As the auction progressed, she found herself getting into a rhythm, and even the trainers were strutting their stuff, cracking the audience up. When Megan escorted her dog out onto the stage, they did a whole bit where every time she talked to the dog, a big, beautiful husky named Siber, she would vocalize back at her. The audience was in stitches, and they went for nearly six hundred.
Eve turned to the last index card an
d stumbled a bit on the introduction as Oliver stepped out onto the stage with a black-and-white pit bull mix named Daisy. Now, he was going to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and there was nothing she could do about it.
It’s just a picnic. No big deal. They’ll eat, talk, train, and say good-bye. Besides, you were the one who couldn’t open your mouth and tell him how you feel, so really, it serves you right.
Clearing her throat, she awkwardly tried to recover from her long pause. “Accompanying Sergeant Martinez is Daisy, who would love nothing better than to find a home where she can lay under your feet all day, getting belly and ear rubs until the cows come home. Daisy wants her new family to know that she loves dancing, tea parties, and especially Channing Tatum movies.” More laughter. “We’ll start the bidding at one hundred dollars.”
Eve nearly scowled at the amount of women’s hands that shot up into the air and fought the urge to say something discouraging, like Oliver had halitosis or smelled like onions. But she wasn’t stupid or impulsive. She’d look crazy, and it would only embarrass Oliver, which was the last thing she wanted.
The bidding seemed to last forever, and when it was over, a small, gleeful laugh escaped her when she saw the winner was an older woman with silver hair. Eve glanced toward Oliver, who gave her a wry smile, and her face flamed. Did he know why she had laughed?
Turning away, she addressed the crowd. “Thank you so much for coming out and supporting this great cause. Winners, please come to the table at the side of the stage to make your payment, and as for everyone else, please enjoy the rest of today’s entertainment.”
Eve released the mic, and as she passed by Oliver, she slowed to ask, “Where’s Beast?”
“He’s cooling his heels with Best, who had to deal with a situation with one of the kids.”
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“Woo-hoo, Sergeant Martinez!” the older woman who had won Oliver called from the payment table, and Eve noticed a younger woman standing next to her, looking embarrassed.
“I better go greet my date,” he said.
“I’ll go with you.” Why was she so curious, damn it? “I need to make sure there aren’t any problems.”
They headed over to his winner, and Eve stood back a little to listen.
“Young man, I want you meet my granddaughter, Abigail. She is having problems with her dog, and I thought maybe you could help,” the older woman said.
Eve snuck a glance at Abigail, a pretty, fresh-faced blonde with a shy smile and big blue eyes, and tried not to panic.
“Oh, and she’s single,” the older woman said slyly.
Son of a bitch!
Chapter Eleven
AFTER THE PICNIC, Oliver walked Abigail and Daisy over to the adoption tent and shook Abigail’s hand. He had enjoyed the food and she was nice, but even if a certain raven-haired woman hadn’t already overhauled his heart, nothing was going to happen with her.
“Good luck with Daisy,” Oliver said. During their hour, Abigail had fallen in love with the gentle pit bull and decided to adopt her.
“Thank you so much,” Abigail said, patting Daisy’s head. “I think it’s going to be a good match. I appreciate your time. I know my grandmother can be a little nuts.”
“No, she is hilarious,” he said. “Reminds me of my abuela.”
“Well, good. It was nice meeting you,” she said.
“You, too.”
Oliver took off toward the gym where Best had said to meet him. Oliver’s duties were over for the day, and he was supposed to drive up to his parents’ for the weekend. They lived up in Mendocino, and it had been a while since he’d visited, so he figured he was due.
But before he left, he needed to get Eve alone and talk to her. Things were too confusing between them, made more so by her mixed signals and her father’s threats. He needed to know if what they had was worth fighting for or whether it was all in his head.
As if his mind had conjured her, Oliver saw her standing with Beast, feeding him treats and crooning to him.
“Did you steal him from Best?” Oliver asked.
“Actually, he had an errand to run and asked if I’d watch Beast,” she said.
“Well, that was nice of you.” Oliver knelt down, running his hand over Beast’s head as the dog wiggled and tried to lick him.
“I actually wanted to talk to you about something,” Eve said. She was twisting Beast’s leash up in her hands and seemed nervous about something.
“What’s that?” Oliver asked.
“I was wondering if I could ask you out on a proper date,” she said swiftly. “Maybe tonight?”
Oliver’s heart exploded, hitting his rib cage with a force that stole his breath. He had hoped and prayed but hadn’t really been sure she’d felt the same way. “What happened to your policy about guys like me?”
“I thought maybe I could make an exception for someone I like-like.” She offered him a small smile, but he kept his face neutral.
“I don’t know if I should get involved with a woman who doesn’t respect my career choice,” he said.
“A valid point. I could have said and explained my views better, but I can sometimes be a clod. But I was hoping you’d overlook my stupidity this once and give me one teeny tiny date.”
Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he grinned evilly. “Yeah, I’m not really a teeny tiny kind of guy. I like to go big in everything I do.”
“Okay, so what do you suggest?”
Oliver stood up and grabbed her free hand, sliding his fingers between hers. “I was thinking you could come with me now.”
“Where?” she asked.
“I’m going to visit my parents for the weekend,” he said, pulling her closer. “And I want you to come with me.”
It was the craziest idea he’d ever had, but if it meant an entire weekend with Eve, away from all the reasons they shouldn’t be together, he was willing to go a little insane.
Eve blinked at him, shock written all over her face. “Wait, no. To your parents’ place?”
“Why not? You could get someone to handle the rest of the fund-raiser, and I’ve got room,” he said.
“But . . . I was thinking like dinner and a movie,” she said hesitantly. “Where do your parents live, anyway?”
“Mendocino. Ever been?”
“No,” she said.
“It’s about four hours north and beautiful. You’ll like it. There are forests and beaches and hippies.”
“Four hours?”
“Hey, you never said how long the date had to be,” he said. Circling his arms around her waist, he placed his mouth next to her ear and teased, “Besides, this will give us a chance to really get to know each other. Who knows, after this weekend, we might decide we actually hate each other.”
Eve hesitated, and he read the doubt in her eyes, sure she was about to say no.
“Okay. But I need ten minutes to get things squared away, and then I’ve got to go home and pack.”
Oliver hadn’t known he’d been holding his breath until it whooshed out shakily.
“I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
IT HADN’T TAKEN long for Eve to find Megan, and when Eve had made her request, she’d gotten the reaction she expected.
“I’m sorry, can you speak into my good ear?” Megan said. “Because I’m pretty sure you just said you’re taking off on a spontaneous, romantic adventure and want to leave me here to handle your crap.”
Eve held her binder and planner out to Megan. “Here is everything you need to run this thing. Everyone has been paid and knows to break down at four. You just have to stand around and look pretty.”
“It sounds like you’re dumping an assload of responsibility on me and expecting me to do that charming Vanna White thing you do.” Megan waved her hand along the length of her body. “Do I look like Vanna?”
“No, you look like my best friend, my only hope, and basically my everything
,” Eve said. “Please, I promise that if you ever get the chance to run off with a guy, I will do everything in my power to help!”
“I’m holding you to that,” Megan said. With a sigh, she held out her hands for Eve’s stuff.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Eve gave her a crushing hug.
“I expect every last gory detail, and you’re buying my coffee for a month,” Megan yelled, but Eve was already running toward the parking lot.
“Totally worth it!” Eve shouted over her shoulder. Frustrated with her heels, she kicked them off and picked them up, running barefoot across the grass until she made it to the edge of the parking lot. There was no way she was going to risk slicing the bottom of her feet on a rock or glass, so she slipped the heels back on and maneuvered as fast as she could to her car.
The incredibly nervous, neurotic side of her was clawing up her insides, trying desperately to give her every reason why this was completely crazy, but it was futile. Every other emotion was being outweighed by the extreme, over-the-moon happiness soaking her entire being.
Oliver was serious about her, there was no doubt. He was definitely not the type of guy to bring home every girl he was interested in to meet his parents.
Did she still have her worries and reservations? Yes, but for one weekend, she was going to put them on the back burner and live. Just be.
She could do that without her planner, right?
Eve saw Oliver leaning against his car, which was parked next to hers, and a smile so wide it hurt spread across her face.
She was definitely going to give it a shot.
AN HOUR LATER, Oliver sat in the car with Beast waiting for Eve to grab some things from her apartment. But she was taking a long-ass time. Pulling the keys out of the ignition, Oliver stepped out, reaching back in for Beast’s harness and leash. They walked up the steps, and he knocked on the door she’d gone into.
No answer.
Trying the knob, he found it unlocked and pushed the door open.
Considering how immaculately dressed and groomed Eve always was, he was surprised to find that her apartment looked like a tornado had blown through it and left a couple frat brothers behind to create more chaos. Clothes covered nearly every surface. An empty bottle of wine lay on top of the coffee table along with several diet-soda cans. Take-out containers were scattered across the kitchen counters, and he could have sworn he saw something growing on some of the dirty dishes popping up out of the sink.