“I’ll come. We can make it one of those long ones you like,” I said, remembering it was one of the things that made him happy. His eyes warmed because I remembered and a few minutes later Jayden’s shaggy mess of affection was leashed and jumping excitedly at the door. We strolled around the complex as Jayden told me how he got Trip.
He’d stolen him.
“In my defense, his owner was in the store and left him in a car with the windows rolled up in one hundred degree plus weather. He was thin...too thin. I stood for over an hour while the damn dog started to suffocate to give the owner a piece of my mind. It was horrible,” he said as Trip pranced in front of us. The damp night was smoggy and misty with an almost eerie feel as we walked and talked, the two of us becoming a sticky mess just minutes after we stepped outside. And I could not have cared less. In truth, it was if we were walking in a cloud and it matched the feeling in my chest.
“Finally, I couldn’t take it. I checked the door and found it was unlocked, so I took him. Anyone who treats an animal like that doesn’t deserve them. I don’t give a damn if he was someone’s seeing-eye dog, which clearly he’s not,” he said as he quickly dodged a lamppost Trip had pulled him into. I laughed loudly as I agreed.
“And now he’s not too thin,” I noted as I stared at Trip’s size. He was a monster of a dog, all hair and tail with adorable, beady eyes and an outgoing personality. It was clear the two were meant for each other as he torpedoed through the complex, jerking the always in control Jayden around with Jay’s constant protest of “Chill out, Trip.”
Clearly, this was a conversation they had often as Trip fought his leash for freedom. I chuckled at the two struggling for power. Trip won.
“Why did you name him Trip?”
“It fits, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I agreed.
“I have no other reason than that.” Simple and yet so completely cool, like his owner, Trip was growing fast on me.
After our walk, I was covered in sweat. Jayden and I reluctantly parted at my building, our good night kiss interrupted by his rabid dog that consistently jumped on us so he could get his share.
I leaned down and kissed Trip goodnight then winked at Jayden.
“You’re beautiful,” he called after me as I turned around, walking backward toward my door.
“So are you.”
I stopped and stared at him from my entrance as we smiled at each other. He stood still as Trip tried in vain to jerk him away. We stayed there for a long moment, eyes locked, before I gave him one last glance before disappearing inside my door.
And that was the moment I knew I was going to fall in love with Jayden Monroe.
“Leisure Travel Agency, this is Hilary.”
“You sound happy.” My heart fluttered in my chest as I turned in my chair to whisper, “I am. So far, this job rocks. I mean, it’s customer service, but everyone calling in is excited about a vacation, you know. Not all demanding and ‘get me a side of ranch’.”
He chuckled then whispered back, “I just called to make sure your first day was going well.”
“Did you have fun this weekend?”
Jayden had gone on a fishing trip with his Uncle Stephen. He’d made no apologies, as the trip had been preplanned, but I could tell he didn’t want to go. I told him I’d be working doubles, anyway, training my replacement, and sent him off with a promising kiss.
“Caught some rainbow trout. We are having it tonight.”
“I could have another date, sir. You haven’t asked.”
The silence on the other end of the line let me know this may not have been a smart card to play. His voice was ice. “Do you?”
“Of course not,” I said quickly.
“I have to go. Have a good rest of your day.”
“Wait, Jay—” Shit. It was a stupid move. I was so over petty games years ago. I shouldn’t have done that but at the same time, his reaction was pretty uncalled for. He’d called me to make me happy and I’d shit on it.
Crap.
Looking at the clock, I noted it was three-thirty. Suddenly, the rest of my day looked a little bleaker. I snapped out of it quickly, helping Marcy plan a European vacation for a family of six. On my very first day, I’d learned the differences in all kinds of currency, what countries were strict, and which were the best to visit in what season. Marcy was amazing. She was beyond patient and I could tell it had nothing to do with it being my first day, which was a relief. The worst kind of job nightmare was starting a position only to have your new boss go all Exorcist after a few weeks. I’d definitely taken a bite of that pea soup once or twice in my life.
I decided to nip this misunderstanding with Jayden in the bud. I did my usual laps when I got home then showered quickly. It had been almost a week since our last date and I wanted his smile, his kiss, his conversation.
I also wanted to rip his clothes off and worship his baby maker. But hence, I would settle for the first three and keep at it at his pace.
My dress was way too short and showcased my legs, and I’d blown out my hair for a lengthy affect. I wore my only owned pair of stilettos and smelled of vanilla lotion (an aphrodisiac for men according to my witchy sister Sabrina). I knocked on his door, waited and got nothing. I was just about to walk away when it opened.
“Hi,” Randy, the guy I recognized from the pool, greeted me. He washed me with his eyes in a slow, sick way and I shivered, immensely repelled by it. Though Randy was far from an eyesore, he gave me the creeps.
“Hi, umm, is Jayden here?”
“No,” he said as Jayden passed behind him, eyeing me before he went down the hall and into his bedroom, shutting the door. Stunned with what just happened, I looked back to Randy who was clearly busted. It was as if Jayden didn’t care that I’d seen him.
And it was complete bullshit.
I saw golden fur in the corner of the room as I scanned it. Thinking quickly, I whistled for him. Trip plowed his way through Randy’s legs and into me. I grabbed his leash from the floor next to the door and hooked it up to his collar as I glared at Randy.
“Well, you can tell that asshole that I am stealing his dog, and when he’s ready to talk, he can have him back.” I attempted to stalk off, but Trip took off like a bat out of hell, earning his name and making me stumble in my too short skirt. I heard Randy start to laugh hysterically as I begged Trip to slow down. I fell twice on the way back to my apartment, scraping my knees on the concrete while I hung on to Trip for dear life. When I fell the second time, one of my heels snapped. Trip looked back at me as an afterthought and came at me, tongue lashing to lap up my face.
“Dumbass. Seriously, CHILL OUT, TRIP!” After a brief pity party, I made it back to my apartment and let Trip loose to run through the house, hearing an absent crash as I limped to the kitchen with my blood covered and newly purpled knees. Grabbing a plastic baggie, I filled it with ice then caught my reflection in the microwave. My hair was jacked from the humidity and my mascara was smeared from Trip’s heavy petting. Fifteen minutes ago, I’d been ready to rock Jayden’s world. Five minutes ago, he had carelessly told me to kiss his ass.
And for what?
I thought about the stupid stunt I had just pulled and decided it was a bad move to steal his dog. If he wanted nothing to do with me after something as stupid as playing coy, then I needn’t bother. Even as I thought it, I knew it wouldn’t fly. I had a serious taste for Jayden Monroe, and I didn’t want it to be over. Still, if we even had a chance, I would make it clear that his reaction to my teasing wouldn’t fly, either.