Page 30 of Falling for the Enemy

She rolled her eyes. “What the hell are you going to do with a dog that size?”

“Feed it. The kid said he likes milk bones and chihuahuas.”

“You know, Soren, getting a dog that big seems like you’re overcompensating for something.”

He took a small step forward, closing the distance. Voice low, he growled, “I think you of all people know I don’t have anything to compensate for.”

Her jaw ticked, but before he could answer, Ryan returned.

“One more thing, Mr. Hawthorne.” He handed him a coupon. “You get thirty percent off King’s first grooming visit if you take him before the end of the month.”

“Oh, good,” Jocelyn chimed in. “He needs all the financial help he can get.”

“Ignore her. She has Tourette’s, among other personality disorders. The doctors are still trying to diagnose her.” Soren took the coupon. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to check them out.”

“Thank you. I hope you’re happy with him. The big ones are challenging and rarely get adopted, but once they find someone courageous enough to take them in, they prove to be incredibly loyal companions. I think you two are a good match.”

It was strange how much the kid’s faith flattered him. It was enough to ensure he didn’t let the kid or the dog down. “Thanks. I think so, too.”

When Ryan walked away, he turned back to Jocelyn, who was gaping at him.

“What?”

“You’re really taking him home? You know dogs are messy, right? They smell, and poop, and this one’s probably going to steal food from your cabinets.” She laughed. “What are you going to do when it tries to sleep with you?”

“Why would I sleep with a dog?”

“Because it’s a dog, Soren. They bond with their person, and then they never leave you alone.”

“Right. And as a dog owner, I plan to get him his own room with his own bed.”

“Yeah, let me know how that works out. You should have started with something smaller, like a fish or a lightning bug.”

He frowned, already protective of King. “I chose exactly what I wanted.” That was a stretch. An hour ago, he wanted no dog.

“I’m just saying he’s going to take work and commitment.”

“You think I have commitment issues?”

“I don’t know. Who are you taking out tonight? Shalimar? Or is it Chanel No. 5? Or maybe it’s Jean Patou?”

“Are you having a seizure? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Your revolving door of women. Maybe next time you could find someone who smells a little less like an old-money grandmother.”

How the hell did she know what his dates smelled like? “You sound jealous.”

“Hardly. I’m honestly waiting for one of those women to finish the job, so you stop showing up on my back porch begging for scraps. Maybe Ryan can help find you a home, too. He’s wonderful with strays.”

“Jocelyn, there you are.” Mayor Quimby approached with a clipboard, pulling away Jocelyn’s attention before he could think of a comeback. “I wanted to go over the schedule for this afternoon.”

They briefly discussed festival logistics as if Jocelyn had some sort of authority on the subject. As far as Soren knew, she just helped out at these things, but the mayor seemed to think she had more of a handle on the festivities than he did.

“Let me check with Ethel.” Jocelyn lifted a walkie-talkie from her hip and quickly rattled off a question about rental equipment.

“Thanks, Jocelyn. We’d be lost without you.” Only then did the mayor notice him. “Soren, odd to see you here.” His gaze dropped to King, and his eyes widened. “Did you adopt a dog?”

“Sure did.”