“I’m Presley Chambers. Nice to meet you.” My heart hammers as her cheeks turn a light shade of pink. She steals one more look at me and gives a shy smile. I stand mute as they talk a few more minutes, Ember explaining the reason we’re here.
With each word Presley speaks, my pulse quickens. Beads of sweat roll down my back as I try to conceal my reaction.
“I’ll help you adopt in any way I can. I’m only a volunteer, but the trainer would be a good person to talk to. Since it’s a new program, we’re currently finding our footing. Just leave me a message at the office, or come back next Tuesday. We’ll be here getting our exercise.” She reaches for Ember’s hand.
“Absolutely.”
Ember nudges me when it’s my turn to shake Presley’s hand. The second our skin touches, there’s a small tremble from her. She gives me a blinding smile that sends my heart racing again.
Jesus, what’s wrong with me?
“Nice to meet you,” I force out, regretting the second her hand leaves mine.
“Like I said, Blade is my assigned dog until he’s placed, and we’ll be here next Tuesday. If you’re still interested.” Presley steps back, and the dog instantly stands, nudging her knee. Then he strains to lick Ember’s outreached palm.
There’s a small whimper, and it’s directed at me. Ember places my palm on his head, and he leans into my touch. Both women giggle, and even Presley’s giggle sends an electric heat up my spine.
She and the dog walk away, and I steal a quick glance at her swaying ass.
“What do you think?” Ember links her arm through mine again.
“I think you may have found a dog.”
“Maybe.” She guides us back to the parking lot. “But I think maybe we both found something today.”
Chapter 2
Finn
“What’s on the agenda tonight?” Tripp asks me from the couch, flipping through the channels.
“Dinner with Robbie and Ember. Thought you were coming.”
“I meant after. We hitting a bar?”
“What’d you have in mind?”
“Bar, booze, maybe a hottie or two.”
“I’m in for two of the three. Let’s play some pool.”
“Man, what’s your deal? Did you take a celibacy vow I don’t know about?”
“Nope.” I shove my wallet and phone in my pocket, feeling his questioning glare.
Tripp is a part of my group of friends who have been close since grade school. All together, there are six of us. In the last two years, things have changed.
Two of them are married, and one is engaged.
Tripp, Max, and I are still single. We’re also twenty-eight years old.
Max is still an active Marine.
Tripp and I are roommates.
“You okay?” Tripp squints an eye at me, getting up.
“Yes, but picking up a cheap thrill at a bar isn’t my style anymore. I’d like to get more than a blow job with a clingy bitch.” My mind replays the nasty scene last month that helped solidify my decision that I’ve outgrown bar hook-ups. The sex was fine until the girl mentioned brunch the next day with her friends.