Page 32 of The Kiss Connection

“She looks like she wants a walk.” I bend down, petting Bailey to settle her. She clearly wants to keep moving and playing. She has puppy energy.

He offers me the leash while he cleans up the rest of the stain. “What is the deal with you and Myles?” Conrad asks. He’s bent down, blotting the carpet with the paper towels, two at a time. As soon as they’re soaked, he tosses them in the trash bag and keeps going.

“Deal? There’s no deal.” I shrug, unsure what he’s asking.

I’m relieved Bailey has my undivided attention, or else I might be overthinking what he’s asking about Myles.

“Why’d you send that message on the dating app telling him that he’s a sleezy piece of shit? You didn’t even know Myles then, let alone now. Seems like a mean girl thing to do.”

I cuddle Bailey, because not looking at Conrad feels like a good idea. He probably hates me, just like Myles. I’m still pissed about the date that he stood me up on, but less angry since he stayed that night I was drunk.

It’s a slippery slope, my feelings for him.

“I didn’t send it; my friend did. She thought he was a catfish, pretending to be a famous hockey player.”

Conrad’s glare turns into a grin. Glancing up from the paper towels, he asks, “You think we’re famous?”

“No, she does. I only knew you guys play hockey because it was on television when you came into the bar. The recap on the highlights and interviews were a dead giveaway.”

Conrad finishes cleaning up the mess and ties off the bag. “I’m going to take Bailey outside for a walk. Let me know if Myles calls back?”

“Do you want to come in and wash your hands first?” I offer, gesturing at the door behind me.

Conrad’s eyes light up. “Please. But I have Bailey?”

“I know. I’ll watch her in the house. We can put her in the kitchen.” I lead him inside, showing him to the bathroom. I still have Bailey’s leash, and I keep the little pup close to me, where the floor is at least easy to clean, should she have another accident.

While Conrad is in the bathroom, he shuts the door, proceeding to use the facilities. His phone rings.

I don’t unplug it. There’s not enough battery to hand it off to him.

“That’s your phone.” I glance briefly at the screen. “It’s your boyfriend,” I joke.

“Answer it for me. Would you?” Conrad asks through the bathroom door.

I grumble under my breath and smile at Bailey, who is wiggling her tiny little butt and tail. “It’s a good thing you’re so darn cute,” I say and put the phone on speaker when I answer. “Hey, Myles. Your boyfriend is in the bathroom.”

Myles snorts. “Tell him I’m ten minutes out.”

“Good, because I don’t host hockey players, you know.”

“Oh, I know. It might actually kill you to do me a favor,” he snaps back.

A hint of a smile forms on my lips. We haven’t spoken since the night I fumbled my keys into his apartment door. I got turned around and was more than just a little tipsy.

Looking back, I’m surprised that he stayed the night; it doesn’t seem like something Myles Dax would do.

“Ten minutes. Got it.” There’s not so much as a goodbye from me. I end the call, just as Conrad steps out of the bathroom and wanders down the hallway toward the kitchen.

Bailey barks at Conrad, tugging on the leash, wanting to rush him. I let her go, and Conrad bends down, giving her cuddles and pets, while keeping her contained to the small area in the kitchen.

She keeps trying to lick his face, climbing and jumping up on him and he turns his head away, only encouraging her to try again.

“He’ll be here in about ten,” I say.

He nods, glancing up at me. “So, what’s the deal with the two of you?”

I shrug. “No deal. We’re just neighbors.”