Chapter 16
Luke
“Our last and final Bachelor up in the Hunks and Howls auction is the one and only, ‘Golf’s Grim Reaper’, Luke Nichols!”
Hoots and hollers follow the emcee’s words, and every eye in the room is on me.
Wiping my hands down the front of my pants.
I blow out a heavy breath.
Pushing my seat back from the table.
The moment I’ve been dreading all night has come; I’m the next ‘eligible athlete’ up. If this weren’t for a good cause, there’s no chance I would’ve ever agreed to this.
It’s humiliating.
The rest of the night hasn’t been, though; in fact, it’s been better than I expected. Gen threw her head back, laughing at my dumb joke about her, her hand squeezing my arm as she caught her breath.
I just need to survive this last part and escape the women at number nine who are eyeing me up and down like they’re trying to decide which part of me they want hanging on their walls.
The pasta from dinner earlier is rolling in my stomach at the realization that any of these women could be my grandmother.
Gross.
“Go get’em, tiger.” My gaze snaps back to Gen, pulling my attention off the women of Evergreen Whisper Hall.
She gives me a cheeky grin and winks. My mouth twitches, and I clear my throat to keep from laughing.
Okay, if I’d known ahead of time Genevieve Garrett would be the one bidding on me, I’d have given J.B. less of a hard time.
“For anyone here that isn’t familiar with Luke, he’s the professional golfer on every golf magazine and the husky, formerly known as ‘Blizzard’, new paw-rent.”
My lips flatten at the cutesy term the rescue uses for new dog owners. The night has been filled with made-up expressions to describe all kinds of situations involving people and their pets. Nothing that has to do with family, or fur-mily, as they’ve said multiple times, is off-limits.
Everyone else has loved it, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just me who has a low tolerance for the made-up terms.
Making my way to the stage, murmuring rumbles through the crowd behind me.
I work to take deep, slow breaths.
Anything to keep myself from tugging at my collar.
“He’s also been the talk of the golf gossip columns with the stunning woman on his arm tonight. Some of you may know Professional Dog Trainer Genevieve Garrett already; she helps For-Ever Homes out occasionally with more of our challenging rescues.”
Turning back to face the crowd, my gaze falls on Gen. She's standing up, waving at everyone. It’s dark, so most people would miss the pink of her cheeks. The corner of my mouth lifts as I watch her.
“Oh, good Luke! You’re smiling.” The presenter chuckles. “I wasn’t sure if we’d get your standard broody look or the smile we’ve been seeing.”
My brow pulls down, and I glare at the back wall, only to have laughter ripple through the room.
“Broody it is then.” The amused crowd continues to snicker, but the host’s next words have me wanting to dig a hole like my dog and burrow deep when they hoot even louder. “Guess those grins are only for the woman sitting next to you.”
Raking my hand through my hair, I huff out a breath. Willing the heat that’s creeping up my neck not to move an inch further.
“Let’s put our last participant out of his misery, shall we?
” When the excited crowd agrees with a firm ‘YES’, the emcee continues talking.
The words fade to a faint murmur as my gaze finds Gen.
Her face is bright, and her eyes shine with excitement as she raises her number to counter each bid from anyone else.
The knot in my stomach unravels as I let myself remember that the woman beside me has no intention of letting anyone else ‘win me’.
The master of ceremonies’ voice gets louder and more enthusiastic before I hear them say, “Going once, going twice, and Luke Nichols goes to Genevieve Garrett.”
Gen claps, eyes bright, cheeks flushed, eyes shining like she just won the Master Cup. Table nine doesn’t seem all that disappointed to have lost, as they join in on the clapping that fills the room.
Moving past the host, she grabs my arm and whispers. “You be good to our girl now, otherwise we’ll have to sic the dogs on you.”
My head snaps up, and I dip my chin and head down the stairs, making my way back to my seat.
“Thank you so much, everyone, for making this year’s ‘Hunks and Howls’ one of the best fundraisers we’ve ever had.
Looks like we did truly save the best for last!
Don’t forget to grab your treat bag before heading out.
Our new bakery, Pupcakes and Bisquits, has yummy treats for all of your four-leggers. ”
I roll my eyes at the ‘pupcakes’.
Gen beams at me when I pull out my seat to sit back down, and my mouth tips up in response. “That was so much fun!”
“For you maybe,” I grumble, pulling my jacket from the back of the chair and slipping it on. “How about next time you can be the one standing on stage with everyone gawking at you.”
“You looked like you were enjoying yourself.” J.B. slaps me on the shoulder. “Had a smile on your face and everything.”
My brows shoot past my hairline.
Smile? HA. I don’t smile.
“You were,” he whispers and then winks. “But don’t worry, I’m pretty sure no one noticed you only had eyes for the woman who won you. They were all too busy checking you out.”
My eyes narrow, and my agent hoots before he lifts his hands in surrender. “Okay, your mouth definitely wasn’t tipped up on one side.”
Scowling, to J.B.’s amusement, I turn to look at Gen. “So what’s the damage?”
Her eyes narrow, and she tilts her head. “Weren’t you paying attention?”
“To you,” my agent coughs, and I elbow him.
“I was, I just didn’t hear the final number.”
“You cost a pretty penny, Mr. Nichols.” Her eyes widen, and she smirks as she writes a number down on a napkin, then slides it in front of me.
My brows shoot past my hairline, and my jaw hinges as I look at the five-figure number. She’s not kidding. Highway robbery is what it is.
Gen giggles and rests her head on my shoulder. “You did tell me to spend whatever I’d needed to.”
“I did indeed, I just had no idea I was so valuable.”
“You should’ve heard those sassy seniors when you got up,” she says, throwing a thumb over her shoulder. “They were determined to add another trophy to their wall. I wasn’t sure they’d stop at that number.”
When she lifts her head and meets my gaze, her hazel eyes glittering, I realize I would’ve given her ten times what she spent just for her to look at me with that softness in her eyes again.
The same way she did when we were together.
“Thank you for keeping me from that horrific fate.”
“I’m not so sure I did myself a favor,” she says softly as she pushes her chair out and stands. “I’m kind of curious what they would’ve made you do.”
My cheeks pull up, and I wonder if she realizes what she just said, but then she whispers. “I may have enjoyed that.”
Killing the engine in front of Kit’s house, I’m disappointed the night is over, and I can’t help but wonder what will happen when we go back to our original arrangement.
“Thank you again for agreeing to help me.” When I look over my shoulder, Gen is watching me, that familiar crinkle at the corners of her eyes. My heart constricts.
A strand of hair falls in front of her face, and before I realize what I’m doing, I push it behind her ear.
My gaze falls to her slightly parted mouth, and I want nothing more than to lean in and press my lips against hers, but instead, I pull my hand back and swallow.
There's an invitation that leads me to believe she wouldn't mind if I just leaned in and pressed my lips to hers, and yet I don't want to move too fast.
Stiffening, I pull back slightly.
Just in case.
“I had a lovely time spending your money,” she says, not pulling her gaze away from me. Her throat works, and my mouth goes dry. “I really liked your agent. He seems like a good guy.”
Her gaze flicks to my lips, and I nearly groan.
I clear my throat. “He is. I’m grateful to have him on my team.”
We sit in silence, the tension in the car so thick you could cut it with a knife. When Genevieve pulls her bottom lip between her teeth and blows out a soft breath, I let my eyes roam her face.
“Luke?” she whispers, and I notice her leaning in slightly.
“Yes?” I say gruffly, leaning toward her.
“Do you—”
BANG!
Gen lets out a squeak, and I jump, slamming my head on the roof.
“Ouch.” I rub the top of my head before laughing at the dog squished against the car window, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.
“I’m so sorry!” Kit says as she opens the back door, letting an over-exuberant husky jump in. “He started scratching at the door, and when I opened it, he bolted toward your car.”
“Kit! You know that you shouldn’t just open a door with a husky standing there! He could’ve run away,” Genevieve chastises her sister.
Kit shrugs sheepishly. “But he didn’t?”
Glancing back at Bogey and the look of pure joy on his face, I almost forgive him for interrupting what could’ve been an amazing kiss.
“We’re going to have a talk, bud.” I reach over the seat and give his head a scratch. “Was he good for you?”
“He was the perfect boy. Weren’t you?”
‘Awoooowoooo’ fills the car, making us all laugh.
“Thank you again for watching him.”
“Bogey can come back anytime you need a sitter. Beau and I have a bit of a crush.” Kit looks back and forth between Gen and men. “I’ll let the two of you say goodnight. Gen, make sure you stop in before heading home! Night, Luke.”
I raise my hand just as the door closes. When I look over at Gen, she’s wearing a crooked grin, and I wonder if she’s as disappointed about the interruption as I am.
Bogey and I need to have a serious chat about what happens when I go out on dates with the beautiful woman next to me.
Well, at least I hope I’ll be going on dates.
“I’ll see you next Monday.” My gut dips, feeling like I completely misread everything that happened this evening, but then she says. “You have a tournament next week, right?”
“I forgot about the tournament.”
“Did you just say you forgot you had a tournament?”
Running my hand through my hair, I chuckle, “I did. I can’t remember the last time that’s happened.” I turn toward her and smile.
Her mouth forms a small ‘O’, and my gaze drops to her lips. “What about Bogey?” She asks breathlessly, and internally, I curse my dog for dive-bombing the window.
“He’s spending the week at camp. At least that’s what J.B. told me.”
“The doggie playcare in town, Camp Star Bark?”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “My agent set it up.”
“You’re such a boy.” Gen chuckles. “I’m sure that’s the place. If you download their app, you can watch him play while he’s there.”
When my brow pulls together, she reaches out and touches my forearm. “You’ll be surprised at how worried about him you are. But so happy with how tired he’ll be when you bring him home.”
Pulling her hand away, she reaches across her body and pulls the handle, pushing the door open as she steps out of the car. Before closing it, she bends down. “Good night and thank you for an incredible night.”
“My pleasure, Gen,” My voice comes out huskily, and then I watch her jog up the stairs.
Opening the door and stepping inside, she turns to me and waves before closing the door behind her.
Starting the engine, I drive away. Lecturing my dog on date etiquette and how interrupting kisses is completely unacceptable. When I look in the rearview mirror, I find Bogey lying down, blissfully asleep, not listening to a word I’m saying.
I snort. “Typical husky.”