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"Yep," I say to myself. "Right over the cliff, I go."
Chapter 32
Claire
My day was surprisingly pleasant. I only got puked on once by a sick puppy, and we somehow managed to get out of the office on time.
I spent so much time trying to focus on work that the day went quickly.
It wasn't until I went to grab my jacket and reach for my keys like I do every day that I remembered I didn't have my car.
"Something wrong?" Kristina asks when she finds me in the back room with my head pressed to the wall, a litany of choice language on my tongue.
"I don't have my car," I mutter.
"I figured that's why that gorgeous bartender of yours was waiting in the parking lot."
I can't help the smile that spreads across my face at the mention of him. I'm so relieved I don't even have the wherewithal to deny ownership.
"You better get out there before Corbin convinces him to foster the elderly beagle mix that was brought in this morning."
I give her a quick smile and rush out the door.
Just as Kristina predicted, Corbin is standing beside Walker's truck, rocking back and forth.
"His sight isn't very good, but he found that bowl of food quickly this morning. He's got a lot of life left in him," my boss says.
"I'm not really in the position to take care of an animal, man," Walker says, but I know Corbin, and anything other than a hard and fast no is a maybe, and a maybe might as well be a yes. It's how Chase ended up with Nanuk.
I wouldn't put it past Corbin to drop that dog off at the bar tonight right before closing.
"There's my girl," Walker says when I pull open the passenger side door.
I frown at him and he frowns right back, not impressed that he missed me walking up and didn't get the door for me.
"Try Boone," Walker says as he reaches for the button to the window. "If anyone needs a furry companion, it's that grumpy bastard."
Corbin waves before walking away, but Walker's attention has already been diverted to me.
"How was your day?"
"I didn't ask you to pick me up," I say.
"You didn't, but I figured--"
"Thank you," I interrupt, a little sad that he automatically thought I was going to complain about it. "It's very thoughtful of you."
"Anything for you, baby."
That's four. One more and I might start to argue that maybe keeping him would be in my best interest.
My cheeks heat, forcing me to look away from him.
"Come here," he says, holding his arms open as if there isn't a console in the middle of the seat.
He sees me eyeing it and in the next breath, he flips the thing up, unconcerned for the change that flies into the back seat from the cup holder.
I look back there to make sure none of it landed in Larkin's car seat or within her reach. She's pretty good about not putting stuff in her mouth, but it only takes one time for things to go awfully bad.
