In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick

Author:Beth Kendrick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2019-01-07T16:00:00+00:00

chapter 19

“Good to see you.” Liam gave Carmen a little shoulder rub, which resulted in yelps of joy. “I was going to call you tonight.”

Jocelyn glanced over at Otter, who was popping the hood of the car with Liam’s companion. Both men disappeared behind the glossy blue metal, exclaiming about horsepower and torque.

“You were?” she asked Liam.

“I’ve been thinking about you.” He took off his sunglasses. The corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. “And wondering how the puppies are.”

“They’re great. The vet’s been by every morning to check on them. I was trying to figure out what to name them.”

“My father the control freak didn’t leave a directive for that in his will?”

“Nope, so my mom did the honors: Pat Benatar, LeBron James, J. K. Rowling, and George Clooney.”

Liam laughed. “How’s Hester doing?”

Jocelyn was impressed he’d remembered Hester’s name but didn’t let on. “She’s exhausted, but very patient.” She tilted her head toward the automotive enthusiasts. “Who’s your friend with the car?”

“That’s my buddy Paul. He’s the one that has the sailboat.”

She waited for more details, but none appeared to be forthcoming. “Well, your buddy Paul and that seductive car of his have co-opted my date.”

Liam regarded Otter with new interest. “Date, huh? How’s it going?”

“It was going great until you and your shiny automotive siren came along.” She took a step back and folded her arms. “I feel like I’ve been jilted mid-slow-dance at junior prom. He’s not going to call me.”

“He’ll call you,” Liam stated with total authority.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yeah, I do.” He gave her a look she couldn’t quite decipher.

Jocelyn, Carmen, and Liam waited for Paul and Otter to slam the hood and rejoin the rest of the world.

They waited. And waited. And waited.

Jocelyn clapped her hand to her forehead as the guys stopped talking about the engine and moved on to the muffler. “This is never going to end, is it?”

“Do you know how many parts there are to talk about under a car hood?” Liam asked.

Carmen started panting in the heat.

Jocelyn decided that since no one else was showing any social grace, she wasn’t obligated to do so, either. She strolled over to the Aston Martin and rapped her knuckles against the hood. “Excuse me? Hi.”

Otter’s face, flushed with excitement, appeared. “Hi! Isn’t this amazing?”

“Life-changing,” she said. “But I’ve got to get back to feed the dogs and check on the puppies.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll drive you home.” His gaze darted back to the automotive innards. “In one second.”

“No worries, I’ll walk.” She tugged Carmen’s leash. “Come on, girl.”

“No, no, you’re not walking, I’ll drive you,” Otter insisted. But he made no move to disengage from the car.

“It’s totally fine, I promise. It’s a beautiful day and Carmen wants to see if her new bestie is still by the boardwalk.”

“I’ll drive her.” The way Liam said it was more of a declaration than a suggestion.

“For the last time.” Jocelyn set her jaw. “I am walking.”

“I can’t let another man drive my date home,” Otter protested.

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