28. Dirty Deeds #2
A couple days later, I’m looking forward to our dance lesson more than is healthy.
So much that I’m spending an inordinate amount of time in the morning hunting through my closet for something to wear tonight.
I hardly ever do this sort of outfit prep.
But as I flick through slinky dress after slinkier dress, I’m wondering if this dance lesson will end the way the last one did. Do I want it to?
Of course you do. You know the answer to that. And you should resist.
“I will,” I say to the voice in my head as I pick a dress. Red. Tight. With a skyscraper slit.
Well, it’s good for dancing. That’s all.
I check the time. I need to get my ass to the dog park right away. I’m not only working the shoot, but Captain scored a spot as a dog extra, along with Dandelion and Gunner. Not Shortcake though. He’s been better since our session, but he’s too…unpredictably humpy.
Captain and I hop into my car and zip over to the dog park without any wheezes from Roxie. That’s unusual, but there’s no time to linger on her. When I get out, I spot Poorna standing by the white gate, chatting with Alexandra.
I grip Captain’s leash tighter.
Will she ask out Sawyer? At the first shoot she said she thought he was cute.
Jealousy flares inside me again, hot and bright.
This is so not like me. I’m not a jealous person.
But I’m secretly thrilled he’s not slated to come to the shoot today, so she won’t have a chance at him.
Will she hunt for another one though? These thoughts race through my head as I march into the park and barely notice the man heading my way.
“Hey, Chlo-Chlo,” he says, and talk about a romance disaster—that’s August for you. Irritation floods me as I stop in my tracks and look at my ex’s sharp nose, his shoulder-length blond hair, and his fake-ass smile as he adds, “How’s it going? I see you got a cool new gig.”
I try to tamp down my frustration. I don’t want to bring any bad blood to the set. But when I respond with, “And I presume you’re still working with daddy,” I’m pretty sure it comes out dripping with sarcasm.
Oops.
He rocks on his heels, flashing a smarmy smile.
He doesn’t even have the decency to say hello to my dog, who’s sitting perfectly patiently by my side.
“Yup,” August says, looking very pleased with himself.
“We’re growing the company. And this show?
” He waves to the dog park. “It’s the talk of the town.
I’m so impressed. I always believed in you. ”
He always believed in stealing my ideas. “Is that why you got me fired at the last job?”
Captain barks once. Unusual for him. But then again, he’s a good judge of character.
My ex-husband tilts his head to the side, smiling placatingly. “You’re not holding a grudge over that, are you? It was a bummer, like I said at the time. And such a surprise to me.”
I can’t believe I ever saw anything in him. Especially given Captain’s feelings. “I’m sure you were shocked,” I say dryly.
“Totally,” August says, buying his own bullshit. He tips his forehead to the cluster of showbiz people—the camerawoman, the lighting guy, the makeup artists, the producers. “Any chance you could introduce me to the producers? I’d love to pitch them on handling some events for them.”
I stare at August Fitzburger like he’s a carton of milk gone bad, since he’s clearly spoiled. “What?”
“If you can, I’ll be sure to put in a good word with my dad because I think he’s got another opening.”
I rub my ear. Did he really just say that? The sound of footsteps behind me grows louder as I say, “Excuse me?”
August pastes on a bigger grin. “Like I was saying, I could put in a good word for you,” he says, as if I truly didn’t hear him.
“I understood. I just didn’t expect this level of ass-kissing,” I say.
The footsteps stop. Cedar and citrus swirl past me.
“Chloe’s busy.” It’s a clear dismissal, and at the sound of the deep, possessive voice, a ribbon of heat unfurls down my spine.
I whirl around, my breath catching. Sawyer’s here, and he looks deliciously mean.
Jaw hard. Eyes stony. Mouth a ruler. He sets a hand on my back, and it’s the most possessive hand in the universe.
“Now if you’ll excuse us,” he says, then turns me away from my douchebag ex.
“I was talking to her,” August says, calling out like a little kid banging his fists.
Sawyer drops his hand from me, steps closer to my ex, and gets in his face in one of those almost-a-chest-bump moves I’ve only seen on TV. A move that has Sawyer towering over him, in height and in inner fortitude. “And now you’re not. I am.”
It comes out crisp and biting. And I’m unfairly aroused at eight in the morning. Sawyer returns to me, sets that hand on my back again, and ushers me away from my ex-husband and my biggest mistake. “Hey, buddy,” he says to my dog.
Captain wags his tail as we walk. My heart skitters.
“I didn’t expect to see you,” I say, my tone soft now, though I’m confused why Sawyer’s here and excited all the same. Like a dog. Yep, I’m like a freaking dog.
“Didn’t plan to be, but I like watching you work, Chloe,” he says.
I try to catch my breath. But it doesn’t work. This man just seems to know what to say, what to do, how to defend me. “I’d better put on a good show then.”
Sawyer tips his chin toward me. “By the way, how did your car drive this morning?”
I tilt my head, trying to read him. Sawyer has a hell of a poker face though. I blame the beard. “Why are you asking?”
He gives a casual shrug, a tease of a smile tilting his lips. “When you were working last night, I changed the spark plugs. It seemed they needed it.”
Talk about hot. I’m ready to throw myself at him right now. “You fixed my car?” My jaw drops.
“A little surprise for you.”
“Next time you should do it shirtless in my driveway and let me watch,” I say.
“Next time I will,” he says, and those words—next time—make it feel like we’re getting closer and closer to defining whatever this wild thing is between us.