Page 6 of Then Came You

“I’m sure there are a lot of women who would watch it for you,” Savannah teased as she poured his coffee.

Gillian shook her head at the screen. When Sam left, Savannah was going to get an earful. Lauren had scolded Gillian for not being nice to him, and now Savannah was being too nice!

Savannah slid the coffee cup across the counter toward him as he was reaching into his pocket, presumably for his wallet. In addition to being muscular, the man was stubborn as hell. How many times have I told him he doesn’t have to pay?

When Savannah held out her hand to accept the bills, Gillian stormed out from behind her counter and into the coffee shop.

“Don’t take his money,” she practically shouted. Sam and Savannah looked up at her with surprise.

Then he smiled. “Good morning.”

“It would be if you didn’t always insist on paying!”

He chuckled, and the sound was gruff and not entirely unwelcome.

“I’ll let you two hash this out.” Savannah smirked at them as she slipped out from behind the counter and disappeared into the bookshop.

Gillian stood before him with her hands on her hips and her head cocked and tried not to notice how his chest looked even broader this close.

“I wasn’t trying to ruin your morning.” Then he looked behind her. “Hey, where’s Cocoa?”

“I left him at home today.” His question irritated her. It was like the dog’s whereabouts were more important than him insulting her by trying to pay.

“Does that mean he’ll be alone all day?”

“Not that it’s any of your concern, but no. I’m going home on my lunch break to let him out.”

He nodded and looked relieved.

Speaking of dogs, she heard one barking and turned her head in the direction of the sound. A big black pick-up truck was parked outside, and a German shepherd’s head was sticking out the window.

“Someone needs to track down the idiot who left their dog in the car unattended.”

He laughed and pointed his thumb at his chest. “That idiot is me.”

Oops! Now who has insulted whom? “Oh, wow. I’m so sorry. I had no idea…”

He shook his head, an amused grin on his overly handsome face. “How would you know I had a dog? The only time you see me is when I’m on duty, and I don’t usually bring Rocky to work with me.”

“Rocky?”

“Um-hmm. Would you like to meet him?”

“Um…is he friendly?”

If she thought Cocoa was big, Rocky was mammoth. At least, he appeared that way through the window.

“He’s very friendly as long as he doesn’t perceive you as a threat.”

“What if he heard me call you an idiot?”

He laughed louder that time, and a dimple popped out on his right cheek. What the hell? No man who looks like him should be allowed to have yet another attractive feature. It isn’t fair to the rest of the men. Wait a minute. Why am I even thinking this?

“C’mon. Walk outside with me, and you can meet him.”

“But I might have customers.”

He glanced around the empty coffee shop. “I’m sure Savannah can hold down the fort.”