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Denver had her arms around his middle, no fear in her heart about a dog she didn’t even know. She lifted her chin to get away from the dog tongue that was in full on lick. “You, squirmy little man, are supposed to be outside.”
The dog licked her face and tried to wriggle down.
“You little menace.” A deep voice came from the stairs to the bus. “Sorry about that guys.”
“Hunter, I should have known you were behind this one.” West held out his hand to the lead singer of Hammered. The gave each other a hearty shake. Hunter and Kennedy Jordan ran most of the Love and Paws adoption events in California.
West had been volunteering for as many of them as he could in the last year. He’d dragged in the band to this one since it was so close to their gig. It was great PR—which Lila loved—and who didn’t like hanging out with dogs and cats for the day?
Not a single person on the damn bus—even Mal.
Lauren padded behind him and ducked under his arm. “Is he okay?”
Denver nodded. “I was outside playing with the new puppies when this guy.” She scratched the dog’s head. “Came tear-assing around the corner and shot up the stairs to the bus.”
Lo stepped forward and gave the dog her hand to sniff. The dog lost his fool mind and licked her fingers and arm, straining to get to her. “Aww, aren’t you the most beautiful baby.”
“Oh, yeah he’s a baby all right.” Hunter rolled his eyes and took him from Denver. “Jethro’s one of our senior dogs, but he acts like a pup. And his name should be Houdini.”
Lauren stepped forward without a lick of fear and scratched both his fluffy golden ears before kissing his nose. “Actually he looks more like a Bert to me.” She rubbed the top of his head where the darker patch of brindle hair mixed with the gold.
“Bert?” West asked. He was actually afraid to ask.
“You know. Bert and Ernie. Can’t you see it?”
West laughed and threw an arm around her shoulder, dragging her back. “Now I can.”
She easily hooked her arm around the back of his waist. “He’s so sweet. I hope he gets adopted.”
Hunter scratched the big dog’s chest. “Me too. He’s been in the shelter too long.
”
Lauren’s fingernails dug into West’s belly. “You don’t murder them, do you?”
Hunter’s eyebrows shot up. “God, no. We’re a no kill shelter. Just the longer he’s in the shelter, the harder it is to get him acclimated to a home.” Jethro—aka Bert—licked his chin. “This guy is the sweetest of the bunch. Just everyone wants a puppy. Or one of the miniature trendy dogs.”
Lauren brushed her finger down his huge paw with a sigh. “People are stupid.”
“Agreed. So come on out and tell people. You know, with a little more charm than that. At least Kenny tells me that’s what I have to do.” Hunter grinned. “We’ll see you guys out there?”
West nodded. “Definitely.”
“Come on buddy.” Hunter gathered the big dog against his wide chest. “Let’s get a leash on you.” He gave West a salute and smiled at Denver.
Denver swung down a step with a sigh and watched him go. “Why do all the gorgeous ones have to be taken?”
“Statistically, the more attractive males are usually paired off. Some say evolution and Darwinism to make children and all that. Personally, I think it’s just because he has a really nice ass.” Lo waggled her eyebrows at Denver and the girls laughed.
“Nice,” he muttered.
“You have a very nice ass yourself, Mr. Reynolds.”
“Don’t objectify me.”
“Maybe just a little bit?” Lo stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to his chin. “I like objectifying your really nice abs and glutes.”
“Okay, my cue to leave.” Denver rushed down the last few stairs. “See you guys out there.”
