Page 141 of The Best Thing He Never Wanted

Blane narrowed his eyes at him. Mav knew damn well there were no plans for Bea to come here, but it was an effective way to get Cash off his own case.

Sure enough, Cash took a step back into the room. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Blane laughed. “Jesus, Cash. You fall for it every damn time.”

Cash shrugged. “That’s because I’m a hopeful romantic. But go on. You haven’t mentioned her for days. You’re still talking to her, right? Give me some hope.”

Before Crete, Blane would have told him there wasn’t any hope. Instead, he pulled his phone from his pocket.

“Looks like she’s found herself another guy already.”

Mav leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “You’re shitting me.”

Blane laughed. “Yeah, I am. Have a look at this. This is the little guy she’s been hanging out with since I left.” Even as he held out the phone, he knew they were both going to give him shit.

Brooke had been right—he was acting weird since he’d come back. Smiling more. Laughing more. And every damn time Bea’s name came up, apparently his face did something everybody else could see even if he couldn’t. Now here he was showing them pictures she’d sent him, like a lovesick kid.

He held up the photo of Sifis, the little dog who’d somehow decided to claim him when they visited the shelter.

Cash took the phone from him. “What the hell kind of dog is that?”

Mav shook his head. “And why do we care?”

“Because I met him when I was in Crete. Apparently, he’s antisocial and miserable, but he took a shine to me.”

Cash laughed. “We talking kindred spirits?”

Blane punched him in the arm. “Shut the fuck up.”

They all looked toward the door when someone knocked against the frame.

Emmett stepped inside. “Hey, guys. Didn’t know if you’d still be working, but I wanted to stick my head in before I leave.” He looked at Mav. “I’m all done with the herd.”

“Thanks.”

Blane exchanged a look with Cash. Emmett still hadn’t figured it out. As a veterinarian, he seemed to think that, now Mav was home on his ranch, he’d eventually remember he actually owned cattle and take some interest in them. So far, Mav remained focused only on the security work.

Cash held Blane’s phone up. “Hey, Emmett. You know any more about Bea and this little dog than we do? Seeing as you’re his best friend.”

Emmett met Blane’s gaze and held it. The two of them had managed to hang out a couple of times in the weeks since Blane had been home, and they’d talked some. Emmett understood as much as Blane did.

“Shit, forget I asked,” Cash said. “I can tell by that look—you know what’s going on and you’re not telling.”

Emmett shrugged. “If you want me to tell you anything, I’ll tell you the same thing I told him.”

Cash folded his arms.

Emmett nodded toward Blane. “I told him I think he should give all this up and go back there.”

Cash’s eyes widened.

Mav grunted.

“Don’t start feeding him shit like that,” Cash said. “I’m working on him bringing Bea here.”

“And besides,” Mav added, “he’d never leave us.” He scowled at Blane. “Would you?”

Blane looked around at the three of them. Cash, who’d spent years trying to drag him back into life. Mav, who worked beside him every day. Emmett, who’d been his best friend since before either of them could walk or talk. He had no idea what the hell to say to any one of them, let alone all three.