Chapter 6
Luke
Genevieve’s eyes hold that old warmth, and my grin spreads wider than I can control, like a fool who’s forgotten how to stop.
My lungs expand. I swallow hard.
She's doing this for Claire. But there are moments like this—
Then again, maybe she was looking at Bogey. He is pretty handsome. I glance down at Bogey.
Shifting my gaze back to the woman making her way toward us, I can’t help but feel gratitude for all of her help—even if it is just because of my sister.
In the past few weeks my entire world has changed.
No more endless running away, no more trenches in the yard.
Living with Bogey has become more manageable. Even fun.
Just like how things were when Gen and I were a couple.
I’ve missed how she helps me put things in perspective, all the while making any challenge feel less heavy. For example, I’m always looking at the problem, and Gen is searching for the solution.
Exactly what she did when it came to training my spunky husky.
Like the digging spot, I thought she was crazy with the suggestion of giving Bogey a place to dig, but I was wrong. He loves his sandbox. Unfortunately, he still steals my headcovers.
“At least you know where they are now.” Genevieve giggles.
“Yeah, but they’re still full of dirt.”
She shoves my shoulder, “Maybe, one day, you’ll put them away, and out of Bogey’s reach.”
A huff of laughter escapes.
“Looks as if you two have come to an understanding.” My head whips up at the sound of Gen’s voice.
Her eyes crinkle at the corners with humor as she pulls out the chair across from me.
A gentle breeze lifts her hair, and my blood hums. “If the media could see the smile you’re wearing, they’d have to find you a new nickname.
I’m positive ‘Golf’s Grim Reaper’ never grinned like that. ”
Impossibly, my smile gets bigger. “You are, are you?”
A crinkling noise comes from the ground, and we both chuckle as Bogey does his best to push his snout to the bottom of his empty pup nova. “Next time I’ll have to order the biggest size they have.”
“I think they only have one,” Genevieve says, as she looks up at me.
Our eyes meet, and my pulse skitters at the softness in her expression. My Adam’s apple works before I remember the coffee I bought for her.
“Here,” I mumble, pushing the cup across the table.
Her eyes widen, and the corner of her mouth lifts. “You know I can get my own coffee, right?”
“Yes, but I don’t mind getting it for you.” My gaze doesn’t leave her face. She holds my stare for a moment before focusing on the cup between her hands. “Besides, I was here first.”
“Thank you,” Gen says softly as she lifts the drink and takes a sip.
Glancing down at Bogey, his head resting on the ground as he calmly watches the people walk by.
Who is this dog? Just a few weeks ago, we were here, and he was wailing as if someone was trying to murder him. If not for the woman across from me, it may have been his last day on earth.
“You’re really good at what you do, Genevieve.” The words come out gruffer than I had intended. An unreadable emotion crosses her eyes, my gut flutters, and a half-smile tugs. “Thank you for saying yes. Even if it was just for Claire.”
A flush creeps up her face at my praise, and my heart kicks. “You did the work.”
My eyes narrow slightly, and I tilt my head. Letting her know she completely dismissed my compliment. “I had a great teacher.”
Her ribcage slowly rises and falls before she softly responds. “You’re welcome.”
She averts her eyes and turns her gaze down to her coffee. She picks at the label, and unless I’m mistaken, that’s something she used to do when she was nervous.
My breath hitches.
It’s nothing, Nichols. Stop looking for signs that she’s into you.
Blowing out a slow breath, I work to steady my heart rate. “So what are we—”
“FOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!” Both Gen and I jump as Bogey lets out an ‘AWOOOO’.
“Sorry.” I quiet the call from my agent. “I forgot to silence my ringtone.”
Gen chuckles, “That’s really obnoxious.”
“If you ever have a chance to meet J.B., you’ll see why it fits him perfectly.”
“FOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!” My phone screams again, and some of the people turn to stare at me as I silence the call again.
“You can take that.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to take advantage of you and your time.”
She gives me a smirk, and I feel my mouth quirk up in response. “You’re paying my ‘high maintenance client rate’, remember? Hourly. Take the call.”
A snort of laughter falls out, and her eyes widen before she smiles at me. “Maybe all you needed was a dog to help you with your grumpiness.”
I scoff and murmur. “Maybe I just needed the dog trainer.”
Gen’s brows shoot up at the same time my phone shouts again. “FOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!”
Saved by the ringtone. Lifting my phone and handing her Bogey’s leash, I push up from my chair. “Guess I’ll be taking this since it doesn’t look like J.B. is giving up.”
“Jett, what does it mean when someone doesn’t answer your call?” I ask through gritted teeth, walking to the corner and putting some distance between my dog trainer and me.
“That you didn’t hear it the first few times?” J.B’s chipper tone replies.
“No.” I suck in a breath and push it out. “That I’m busy.”
“Oh. You’re with your ex,” he says. “So these pictures are from today?”
“What pictures?” I turn back toward Gen to find her gently stroking Bogey as he stares at me. A familiar twinge pulls at my heart, and I rub at it like that’ll push it away.
“The ones of you and a pretty redhead making googly eyes at each other.”
“Not possible,” I lift my baseball cap off my head and shove it back on.
Gen’s eyes narrow, and she mouths, “Everything okay?”
I nod before turning away from her.
“Are you sitting outside Bean Me Up, in a green t-shirt?”
Looking down at my green tee, I scrub my face. “No, I meant it’s not possible that she’s looking at me like that. I’m sure you’re misreading her expression.”
“No one will misread her expression or yours, Luke. I was right about the dog and your image. Maybe you need to see about the girl, too.”
“Jett,” my growl is low. “That’s not—”
“Just listen, okay.” J.B. continues while I shake my head. “You have the fundraiser for Fur-Ever Homes coming up, and you’ll need a date.”
“No.”
“Do you remember what happened to Bluey last year?”
My stomach flips as I think about fellow golfer Mitch Blue, and the elderly woman who ‘won’ him at their annual ‘Hunks my golf career is proof of it.
“Ready to get started?” Gen’s voice near my ear surprises me, and I quickly lock my screen.
Meeting her gaze, I swallow in an attempt to get rid of the cotton that is now filling my mouth.
Bogey moves to my side and nudges my hand with his warm, wet nose.
“Luke?” Concern tinges Gen’s expression.
“Yeah?”
“Ready to get started?” She hands over the leash, and our fingers brush.
An intake of breath reaches my ears. When I glance up, Genevieve is rubbing her hand and blinking rapidly. My stomach clenches while happiness fills me.
“Yeah. Sorry. I was distracted.”
When my gaze falls back to her, she’s wearing her ‘you’re-just-a-client’ stance.
But it’s too late. I just got a peek at her hand.
At least I’m pretty sure I did.
Looks like that pesky spark of hope refuses to be squashed…today at least.