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He pushes his credit card into the slot without even flinching and taps some keys on the pad. He must have a better paying job than I do. Good for him.
When he’s finished, he returns his card to his wallet and sets a hundred-dollar bill down on the counter in front of me.
“This is for you.”
“What? No. No.” I shake my head emphatically. I messed up and he wants to tip me? He must feel bad about me crying.
“Yes, it’s yours.” He pushes it closer with a blunt-tipped finger.
“We’re not allowed to accept tips,” I lie. I can’t in good conscience take this money when I already cost the man an extra three hundred dollars.
“Well then, I guess you’ll have to grab a coffee with us.”
“Huh?”Did I hear him correctly?
“It’s closing time, right?” he asks.
“Yeah.”
“Lock up. Brutus and I are taking you for a coffee.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“We want to.”
“That’s nice of you, but I’m going to pass.”
“Come on. I feel bad for upsetting you. You can’t leave me alone with my guilt.”
“You won’t be alone, you have Brutus.”
“As awesome as he is, I’ll still feel bad. You don’t want that on your conscience do you?” One side of his mouth arcs up in an endearingly crooked grin.
Dammit, he’s making it damn near impossible for me to say no.
I shake my head but find myself agreeing. “Okay.”
His smile extends across both sides of his mouth, and I’m reminded of how attractive he is. Reaching down, he scratches behind Brutus’s ears. “This guy loves the cafe one block down. They sell cookies for dogs.”
“That’s a popular spot. With this place being so close, we can walk,” I say, as I move around, making sure everything is as it should be. “Give me one minute to check the back.”
“No problem.”
I pass through the swinging doors and flip off all the lights at each grooming station and also the overhead ones, plunging the large area into darkness. When I return to the front, I grab my purse and keys and walk around the counter.
“All set?” he asks.
“Yes.” Flipping off the lights, I set the alarm before we step outside, then lock the door once we’re through. Tucking my keys into my purse, I sling the small leather bag over my shoulder.
“I haven’t had a chance to ask you your name,” he says.
“Are you asking now?”
His eyes flick to me. “Yes, I am.”
“It’s Evie.”
His lips press together and he nods. “I like that.”
