Chapter 6 #2
He laughs quietly, the sound warm and low, and for a moment, I forget the breeze entirely.
His laugh tickles a part of me deep in my chest. It’s a strange feeling when someone laughs, and you feel it all the way down in your bones, like your body recognizes something before your brain catches up. I can’t help but watch him, and I have to admit… he’s a beautiful sight.
He’s tall at around six feet, maybe a little more—lean but clearly muscular, the kind of build that looks earned rather than sculpted.
Bright blond hair, slightly tousled by the ocean breeze, and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.
Not blue like the sky or the sea, but that sharp, impossible shade that makes you forget what you’re thinking.
His lips are soft and pouty, and when he laughs, I catch a glimpse of big, bright, perfect teeth.
It’s honestly hard to believe he’s a firefighter and not some kind of model.
Makes me wonder if the local fire department sells an annual calendar.
I may have to look into that…
“So,” he says, interrupting my very important internal investigation, “you both permanent residents now?”
I blink, refocusing, and smile. “Yeah. Officially permanent implants.”
That earns another soft laugh, and there it is again—that feeling. I glance back toward the dogs, grateful for the distraction. Neptune and Skye are still tearing around the beach, chasing each other like kids.
“I just signed our lease today,” I continue. “We’ll be moving out of the hotel in a few days.”
His brows knit together slightly. “You’ve been staying at a hotel?”
There’s something in his eyes when he looks at me then. Concern, maybe? Or curiosity edged with something gentler.
“Yeah. I had a rental arranged, but I found out on my way here that they weren’t dog-friendly. So, I had to start the search over. But I got lucky and ended up with a pretty good deal.”
He nods slowly, still watching me. “Was bringing him not in the original plans?”
“Oh no,” I chuckle, “Not at all.”
I shake my head, smiling at the memory. “Neptune has been with me for a very short period of time. Let’s just say I already had my luggage packed when I saw him on a Facebook post from a local rescue.
His picture spoke to me. I had to see him.
And well…” I shrug. “It’s hard to explain how fast we bonded, but we did.
I took him home, canceled my flight and my rental, and drove instead so he could come with me. ”
Aiden’s expression shifts from astonishment to surprise before breaking into a big, open smile, like something just clicked into place.
“Do you know how old he is?” he asks, nodding toward Neptune, who’s now on his back, rolling blissfully in the sand while Skye watches, tongue lolling.
“The rescue vet thinks he’s about five.”
Aiden starts walking toward them, and I follow.
“Is he trained?” he asks.
“He seems to be,” I answer. “He follows commands and waits for permission to eat, even when given treats.”
Aiden steps in front of Neptune.
Immediately, Neptune stops rolling and snaps to attention, eyes locked on Aiden.
Aiden doesn’t raise his voice. Doesn’t make a big deal of it.
“Sitz,” he says calmly.
Neptune sits.
“Bleib.”
Neptune stays, tail thumping once against the sand but otherwise perfectly still.
Aiden glances back at me briefly, then looks at Neptune again. “Bei Fu?.”
Neptune stands and moves to his side, head lifted, posture proud.
Aiden lets out a quiet breath, satisfaction settling into his shoulders as he finally relaxes. He looks at me, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“He’s trained.”
“And he is fluent in German.”
I look down at Neptune, who’s standing next to Aiden, chest puffed out, and ears alert.
“Well,” I mutter, mostly to myself, “that explains why he side-eyes me like I’m underqualified.”
Aiden laughs again, softer this time, and something in his expression shifts to something thoughtful now.
“Not many people train their dogs like that.”
I swallow, nodding. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking the same thing.”
Neptune breaks position then, trotting over to me and leaning his weight against my legs, reminding me he’s here now. I rest my hand on his head, grounding myself.
“Whatever happened to his previous owner, he’s lucky he found his human in you.”
I glance up at him. “Yeah,” I say. “We both are.”
The dogs resume their play, the waves crash softly behind us, and the wind carries its clean, salty air between us.
After a few minutes, Aiden turns to me.
“May I?” he asks.
Before I can answer, he gently takes the ball launcher from my hand. Then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a very worn tennis ball. He waits until both dogs notice, their attention snapping to him instantly.
“Sitz,” he says calmly.
Immediately, both Neptune and Skye sit.
“Bleib.”
They freeze in place, eyes bright, bodies vibrating with anticipation.
Aiden steps forward, shoulders loose, arm pulling back with the ease of someone who’s done this several times before. He throws both balls, one after the other, with the smooth accuracy of a professional pitcher.
The balls sail through the air, but the dogs don’t move. I stare at them, stunned.
“Lauf,” Aiden says, and they explode into motion, tearing down the beach as fast as they possibly can, sand flying everywhere. I laugh under my breath, tracking them as they sprint toward their targets.
And then, somehow, even more surprising than the sprint itself, they both turn around, running straight back to Aiden.
Neptune drops his ball at Aiden’s feet. Skye follows suit, tail wagging furiously as she delivers hers.
My mouth falls open.
Aiden chuckles quietly and runs them through it again—Sitz. Bleib.
Two balls flying through the air, one quiet command, and once more, Neptune and Skye wait, perfectly still, before tearing down the beach and racing back to him, balls delivered like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
I fumble for my phone, pulling it out of my back pocket and starting to record. The whole thing looks unreal through the screen, like one of those training videos people swear are staged.
Aiden glances over, catches me filming, and smiles. Not his confident, teasing smile, but something softer. Boyish and sweet.
My stomach does a small, unexpected flip.
I quickly stop recording and slide my phone back into my pocket.
“Do you try it?” he asks, looking at me.
I blink. “I’d have to use the launcher. I don’t have a strong arm.”
“You can do one at a time. They’re patient.”
He steps closer and hands the launcher back to me. “Okay,” he nods towards Neptune. “Say his name first so Skye knows to wait.”
I swallow, then raise the launcher.
“Neptune”
Skye sits without hesitation.
Aiden leans in slightly and whispers in my ear, “Say Sitz first, then Bleib.”
I nod, adjusting my grip on the launcher. “Sitz,” I command.
Neptune sits.
“Bleib.”
He stays, muscles tense, eyes locked on the launcher as I throw the ball.
“Lauf,” Aiden prompts.
“Lauf!” I repeat.
Neptune takes off, ears pinned back, legs stretching as he races down the beach. Within seconds, he returns, dropping the ball at my feet, eyes bright, tail wagging, happy to show me his tricks.
Aiden nods. “Very good.”
I turn, heart still racing. “Skye, Sitz,” I say.
Neptune and Skye both sit without hesitation.
“Bleib.”
Skye waits, perfectly still as I throw the ball.
“Lauf!”
Skye sprints down the beach and is back shortly after, dropping the ball neatly at my feet.
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “I can’t believe this. I’ll have to bring treats next time.”
“Praise is just as good as treats.” Aiden crouches and rubs Skye’s head, fingers moving easily through her fur. “Good girl.”
The words hit me hard.
I look away quickly, suddenly very focused on Neptune. I kneel in front of him, rubbing his head, scratching behind his ear. His happy eyes meet mine, calm and trusting.
“How did I get this lucky, Neps?”
“Oi!”
The voice comes from a distance, loud and unmistakably amused.
I straighten and turn just in time to see him.
Finn.
He’s running toward us from farther down the beach, messy brown hair bouncing with every stride, bright green eyes locked straight on me. He’s wearing black shorts and—
I blink.
He’s shirtless.
In this weather.
Wowza.
He slows as he reaches us, shifting from a run into an infuriatingly confident walk, chest rising and falling, skin slick with sweat that glistens in the afternoon sun. Muscles everywhere.
What is it with this town and absurdly beautiful men?
“I was not aware,” Finn says, accent thick and playful, “that there was a German Shepherd club.”
He gestures between Neptune and Skye, a flirtatious smile spreading across his face. “May I join?”
I snort softly. “Do you own a German Shepherd?”
He grins wider. “For you, Miss May? I’ll get one.”
“Mmm,” I hum, glancing sideways at Aiden. “I don’t know. Do we want any posers in the club?”
Aiden smiles back at me, slow and easy. “Nah,” he says. “I think our club’s already at capacity.”
There’s a subtle smirk on his face, and it makes me smile too.
I hate that I notice Finn’s chest then. The definition. The sweat. The way the sun hits him just right.
Another beautiful specimen.
Finn laughs, shaking his head. “I don’t wanna interrupt club time.” His gaze flicks back to me. “Will I see you tomorrow, lass?”
I hesitate, confused for half a second, then it clicks.
“Oh. Yes, at the station. We’ll be there.”
“Can’t wait,” he says.
Then he looks at Aiden. “Holloway”.
Aiden meets his look. “O’Donoghue.”
Finn laughs, already backing away. “Good man.”
He takes off again, resuming his run down the beach. Halfway down, he looks back over his shoulder and winks at me.
I shake my head, then turn to Aiden. “Have you guys known each other long?”
“A few years,” he says. “We work with search and rescue pretty often.”
“Are you… friends?” I ask.
He exhales lightly. “Not really. We’re… different.”
“I can tell,” I say with a smile. “Very different personalities.”
“Very,” he agrees.
I glance at my watch. “I'd better get going. I need to grab something to eat before everything closes.”
“I’ll walk with you.”
We don’t say much after that. We don’t need to.
The dogs fall into step between us as we make our way off the beach toward the parking lot, their shoulders brushing occasionally as they walk side by side.
At my truck, I unlock the door and open it. Aiden lingers beside me.
“I’d like to give you my number.” His sincerity catches me off guard. “In case you need help with your move. Or anything at all, really. If that’s okay.”
I smile, warmth blooming in my chest.
He could’ve asked for mine. Instead, he’s offering his. No pressure. Just… there, if I need him.
I pull my phone from my pocket and unlock it, opening a new text message thread. “Here.” I hold it out to him. “Text yourself. That way you’ll have mine too.”
He takes it and types for a few seconds.
His phone chimes in his pocket.
He locks my screen and hands it back. “It was nice to see you.”
“You too.” I smile. “Neptune, up up.”
He hops into the passenger seat without hesitation.
I bend to pet Skye’s head. “Bye, pretty girl. It was nice to meet you.”
With one last smile at Aiden, I climb into the truck and start the engine.
My phone vibrates in my lap.
I glance down, and there’s a new text from Aiden.
Aiden:
I’ll do better next time, I promise.
I unlock the screen and open the thread.
The first message—sent from my phone—reads:
Me:
This is May, the girl you were attempting to flirt with.
I laugh softly, breathlessly, and a little stunned.
Neptune thumps his tail.
“Oh Neptune, I think we’re in trouble.”