Chapter 17
Hank
Iola arrived to pick up Ricky just as he was going into doggy time-out. The little terror had driven us all past our last shred of patience.
“Iola!” Sammi attached Ricky’s leash and led him around the counter to his mama. “Right on time. Here’s your little hellion.”
“Aw.” Iola scooped him up in her arms and engaged in disturbing doggy kisses before returning her attention to us. “How naughty was my boy today?”
“Very naughty,” I said dryly. “You’re going to need to work on the humping issue. He’s violating the other dogs.”
And me. And Sammi. And our part-timer. He didn’t discriminate over his sexual objects, and oh, how I wished he’d discriminate.
“Well, gosh, can’t you all help train him?”
“It’s not really our specialty,” Sammi said apologetically.
“If you come out to Dogtober Days next month there will be some good dog obedience demonstrations,” I put in. “Maybe you can connect with an expert.”
“Good idea.”
Sammi ran Iola’s bank card then returned it to her. “Okay, you’re all set for this week. Take care.”
Iola turned away, then stopped. “Oh, are there no more dog biscuits? My Ricky has been loving them.”
“They’re great, aren’t there?” I said. “Jamie makes them, but we’ve run out at the moment. I believe you can order a box from him, though. He’s launching a website.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. I need to call him, anyway. He’s finally got a match!”
My stomach flipped. “He’s still doing the matchmaking?”
“He sure is. Poor thing has been waiting forever for a date.” She clucked. “Too bad you weren’t into men, huh?”
“Yeah, too bad,” I said. “So, uh, is the match good, then? Jamie deserves the best.”
“Oh, yes! I think this guy is just perfect for Jamie. They’re going to have so much in common.”
“He likes dogs, then?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Iola said, pursing her lips. “He’s a chef in Riverton, though. Very sophisticated. I think Marcus is going to be just what our Jamie needs.”
“But does Jamie really want to date an out-of-towner? Maybe you should keep looking.”
Her brow creased, and I could feel Sammi’s stare burning into the side of my face, but I couldn’t seem to stop the words spilling out.
“It’s just that he loves Granville so much,” I said weakly.
“Well, maybe Marcus will come here.” Iola smiled quizzically. “It’s very sweet you care about Jamie, dear, but I’m sure you don’t want him to be lonely. He’s wanted a match for a very long time.”
“Right, yeah. He deserves someone great,” I said. “I’m happy for him.”
“Are you?” she asked, her gaze searching. I wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but it made me uncomfortable.
“So happy,” I said quickly. “Really, really happy.”
“Good!” she said brightly. “And if you change your mind and want to try again, you let me know.”
She went out the door. As soon as it clicked shut, Sammi started in on me.
“Soooo happy. Incredibly happy. Amazingly happy!”
I turned a glare on her. “You could have helped me out there!”
“Oh, you had it covered. More than covered.” She snorted a laugh. “I swear, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were upset at the idea of Jamie dating someone.”
“Oh, I wasn’t—” I spluttered. “I’m just being a friend. Why get his hopes up by matching him with the wrong guy?”
“Uh-huh,” she said, sounding skeptical. “Well, you could always save him the trouble and ask him out yourself.”
“What? You know I’m straight.”
Sammi raised an eyebrow. “Mm. That’s what I thought.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Things change, though. Sexuality is fluid.”
I shook my head. “I was just looking out for him, Sammi. Don’t read into it.”
“Okay,” she said. “You would know best. If you’re okay with him meeting someone else, falling in love, kissing them…”
“I’m fine with it,” I ground out from between clenched teeth.
She smiled. “All righty! I’m going to go check on Zoe and the dogs!”
Sammi left me standing behind the front counter, fists balled, body tense, a rush of adrenaline making me light-headed. Why was I so worked up about this match? Could Sammi be right?
I’d never looked twice at a guy before. Never had the urge to kiss, much less anything more. Jamie was a good friend and really sweet, but I didn’t want him that way, did I?
I thought back to the last time Fox had taken me to a gay club. To the twink who’d tried to cop a feel. I’d gotten nothing out of that, except a vague sense of discomfort. But if Jamie were to touch me, would I feel differently?
The other night, he’d curled up against me while watching a movie, and I couldn’t say that was bad. But it hadn’t been sexual either. More…comforting. Cozied up on the couch with him, I’d been content.
That was just friendship, wasn’t it?
My next grooming appointment came in, and it was a doozy that saved me from thinking too much.
I spent two hours blowing out mats on the poor Husky’s coat. He was sensitive to brushing, and he was full of loose hair. By the time I finished, I was covered in hair and so was most of the floor space.
“Holy shit!” Sammi exclaimed as she checked in on me. “That’s gotta be a record.”
Bear was panting, a little anxiety showing. “You might call the owners and tell them it’s going to be a while yet.”
She nodded. “You need help?”
“Maybe you could sweep up while I wash him?”
“You got it.”
Sammi was easy to work with, and we tag-teamed to get the large groom done. Bear wasn’t thrilled with the process, and he was a little growly at times, but we got through it.
By the time I left, I was filthy, exhausted, and overdue to meet Jamie at the dog park. It was his day off, and we’d agreed to meet up and exchange notes about our work on festival planning. Jamie had been working on recruiting volunteers, and I’d been making calls every spare moment I had.
I sent him a quick text to let him know I was running late, then went by the house to shower properly. The thought crossed my mind to just invite him over here, but something stopped me.
If Sammi thought I was into Jamie, was I giving him the same idea? I didn’t want to lead him on.
I washed up as quickly as possible, dressed in some fresh clothes, applied a fresh spritz of aftershave, and collected Bruno to head to the dog park.
I carried Bruno in through the gate, then set him down and let him race ahead. He made a beeline for his new besties, Lady and Tramp, over by the big tree where Jamie and I had first met.
I followed at a slower pace. Jamie was standing beneath the tree, talking to a guy.
I didn’t think much of it at first. Jamie was handing him a dog biscuit, so most likely he was just giving out samples.
He’d been building up a nice little stream of customers before even starting a business.
It was pretty smart. He was testing the market, fine-tuning his recipes, and building a database at the same time.
Then the guy, a slim man with blond hair, reached out and put his hand on Jamie’s arm. He smiled at him, and there was no mistaking that smile.
Iola had just told me about the match, though. Surely, they hadn’t already met up?
Jamie’s been waiting a long time, though, so maybe…
“Hey, Jamie,” I called as I jogged over. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
I slung my arm over his shoulders, pulling him in for a side hug. Jamie came easily enough, though he cast a surprised smile up at me.
“Hey, Hank. No worries. This is Gordon. I don’t know if you two have met.”
“Nope.” I kept my arm around Jamie’s shoulders.
Gordon’s flirty smile faltered. “Ah, well, nice to meet you. I was just telling Jamie how dang talented he is. If you need a business loan to get started, you just let me know. I’ll make sure it goes through.”
“Yeah? Thanks.”
I squeezed Jamie a little against my side. “Jamie doesn’t need to start out in debt.” I glanced at him. “Your website business is going to be great. Plus, I bet Sammi would welcome carrying your biscuits at BowWow.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Iola was just asking about them again today.”
“Oh, yeah, she called me.” Jamie chuckled. “That woman is a force of nature.”
“I heard she found a match for you…”
“Are you two not already dating?” Gordon asked, eyes clocking where my arm was still draped over Jamie’s shoulders.
I drew away a little. “Just good friends.”
“Ah, well, too bad she didn’t match you up with me then, eh, Jamie? We could have saved a lot of time.”
Jamie laughed. “Uh, yeah, you work fast. Everyone knows that.”
“Aw, you’ve got me all wrong. I’m just looking for love in all the wrong places.”
“Corny much?” I muttered under my breath.
Jamie cast me a chastising look, but he was smiling.
“Thanks again for the sample, Jamie. If your match doesn’t work out, you know who to call.”
He swaggered off, something a little too charming about him.
“Promise me you won’t call that douche,” I said.
Jamie laughed. “You don’t even know him.”
“I don’t need to know him. I’ve met guys like that before.”
He eyed me. “Well, don’t worry. Iola suggested Gordon as a match weeks ago. I passed.”
“Good.”
“Marcus sounds really great, though,” Jamie said tentatively. “I mean, we haven’t met. But I checked this time, and he’s definitely into guys. So that’s progress, right?”
I winced at the reminder of how I’d disappointed him. “Sorry.”
“Not your fault, but I don’t exactly trust Iola. Wish me luck on Friday night that it turns out better for me, okay?”
“Friday, huh? That’s fast.”
He shrugged. “No point in delaying the first meeting. We’ll either hit it off or we won’t.”
“Yeah.” I glanced over at the dogs, but they were entertaining themselves well enough. I nodded to the bench. “Want to sit?”
“Sure.”
Jamie sat down beside me.
“So, I guess you want to talk about—”
“Where are you going on your first date?” I blurted, curiosity overtaking me.
“The Silver Spoon in Riverton.”
“He’s making you go to him?” I asked, unimpressed.
“Uh, yeah. He’s a chef there, so he wants to introduce me to his food.”
“Sounds kind of egotistical,” I said.
“Oh. I didn’t really see it that way, but maybe…”
“No, I’m sorry. I don’t even know the guy. The food is good. I eat there with my parents sometimes.”
Jamie nodded hesitantly. “Okay. Thanks. Um, did you want to talk about the dog festival?”
“Yeah. That’s why we’re here.” I laughed awkwardly. “So, what do you have to report?”
“Well, Silas put me in contact with a couple of potential sponsors if you need more…”
“Absolutely, yeah,” I said.
We exchanged progress reports, made a plan for next steps, then lapsed into silence as we watched the dogs play. Eventually, Jamie stirred.
“The date will probably be a bust. They always are.”
“He’d be crazy not to be crazy about you,” I said. “You’re a catch.”
“If only someone actually wanted to keep me.”
He stood, and I grasped his wrist. “Jamie.”
He looked back. “Yeah?”
My heart constricted. “You’re absolutely worth keeping. Never doubt that.”
His smile was small and sad. “Thanks, Hank. You’re a good friend.”
Somehow, that just didn’t feel like enough as I watched him walk away, shoulders hunched, discouraged about a date he hadn’t even met yet.
Because of me. Because of my bad attitude.
I didn’t deserve the label friend.
Ass was much more fitting.