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“Fine.” Maykin was speaking through gritted teeth. “What would you like me to do to make it up to you, sir?”

  Evie rubbed her hand up and down Nicky’s arm, drawing his attention away from Mayk. “Come on, babe, she’s already doing so much for Bleu, she doesn’t need to make anything up to us.”

  I agreed. I was the one who’d spent a night in jail and now had to spend all my free time with dogs. And Evie was right, Maykin was already doing so much to get back into my good graces. Although, in reality, she’d never left them in the first place. “Yeah, man, leave her alone. I’m an adult, I make my own choices and—”

  “You should volunteer at the animal shelter whenever Bleu does.”

  “Oooooooo, I like that.” I turned to her, rubbing my palms together. “I like that a lot.”

  Chapter Six

  Maykin

  I wasn’t a nice person. Ask anyone. Well, anyone other than Evie, Nick, or Bleu. For some reason, I would do just about anything for those three people. As evidenced by the fact that I was currently elbows deep in a flea bath.

  When Nicky had suggested I volunteer with Bleu, I’d wanted to reach across the table and strangle him. Or reach under the table and rip off his balls. But since I wanted to be the “fun aunt” one day, I did neither. And the fact that Bleu instantly jumped on the bandwagon pretty much left me no choice. I considered this punishment for my bitchy mouth. It’d had a good long run. Starting from the age of six, I was a force to be reckoned with. Cutting people to their knees with nothing but my words was a skill, but it was also troublesome.

  Thus, community service. Or as I was calling it, my comeuppance.

  “Maykin, after you’re finished with Max, Skittles is next.”

  I blew a lock of hair out of my face and reached for the hose to rinse off the tiny terrier mix. Max was getting adopted today and he needed to smell and look his best. I was the dog washer, and some high school girl was in charge of the blowouts. I’d argued that I’d had more blowouts than anyone else in this building, so that should really be my job.

  It hadn’t worked.

  Max was my third dog to bathe since I’d gotten here about an hour ago. I’d rode with Bleu, but he was like an instant celebrity around here, and had been whisked away to walk the big dogs as soon as we’d stepped through the door.

  I was here of my own free will; he was here by court order. You’d think I’d be treated a little better than the criminal. But no. Bleu flashed that flirty little smirk of his and Margaret, the middle-aged lady who runs the shelter, about melted into a puddle on the floor.

  “Lookin’ good, Mayk.”

  Speaking of the handsome tattooed devil.

  I wrapped a towel around Max and handed him off to the high school dog hairdresser. “Are you here to switch jobs with me?” I smiled, waterlogged hands on my hips.

  Bleu bit his lips together, no doubt trying to hold in his laughter. “No can do, Midge.” He held up the leash he was holding in one hand, and the little puppy he was holding in the other. “Still have three dogs to walk before we’re done for today, and I have to take this little guy to the sick wing.” The puppy sneezed. “He has a cold.”

  “This is utter bullshit.” In more ways than one. Why was Bleu holding a puppy hotter than anything I’d ever seen in my entire life? I wanted to check for drool on my chin when he cuddled the puppy to his chest and kissed the top of its head.

  He stepped closer to me, a playful look on his face. My breath caught in my throat and I suddenly had to work to swallow. What the hell kind of voodoo was this? Why was I reacting to him this way? Was it the sick puppy? Was it the chemicals in the flea bath? Was I high?

  He reached up and wiped some soapsuds off my cheek, his blue eyes sparkling. “I think I like you all wet.” He backed away and winked as he walked off, chuckling lightly to himself.

  Why was my heart racing? Why was I fairly certain that my cheeks were blushing red? What the hell had just happened?

  ***

  Before today I’d never bathed an animal in my entire life. Now, I’d scrubbed seven dogs and flea dipped a litter of kittens. Have you ever put a kitten in water? It’s not easy, and I was covered in the scratches to prove it. I’d volunteered my time as penance, and I was bleeding and in dire need of a shower.

  I was going to have to tell Nicky to suck it and Bleu that I was sorry. I was taking a full course load and still not finished with my work for the gallery. I didn’t have time to come do sweat labor, get mauled by feral felines, or flirted with by the likes of Bleu Salinger. It was obvious that I had too much on my plate. I was losing my grip on reality—that was the explanation I’d given myself to explain away my odd reaction to Bleu earlier. It worked, and I felt marginally better.

  I walked out the back door, following directions to the play area where I was supposed to find Bleu. I’d only seen him that one time in the whole five hours we’d been here. That one time when I’d thought of him as more than a friend, for about thirty seconds. Then I’d come to my senses and shaken off my stupidity. He was playing around. He was Bleu. That was what he did.

  When I’d finally finished my long list of duties, I’d asked at the front desk where he was. The chick at the counter had gotten an incredibly wistful look in her eye. Apparently, everyone at the SPCA wanted to fuck my friend.

  How that man had trouble getting his “dick wet” was beyond me. He could certainly have his pick of ladies at the animal shelter. And I was more than sure that every girl he tattooed would gladly drop to their knees to suck him off before the ink was even dry. Bleu was sexy, ripped, and covered in amazing artwork. He was every girl’s fantasy. Hell, if he wasn’t my best friend, I’d push him back onto his tattoo table and nope, not going there.

  My thoughts died a little death when I spotted Bleu. He was lying on the grass, a pile of puppies climbing all over him. He was laughing as they licked his face and pounced on his stomach.

  Sweet baby Jesus, I’d never seen anything so adorably fucking hot in my entire life.

  I took a deep breath, trying hard to calm my once again racing heart. What the shit was happening to my body today? I should make an appointment with my uncle, stat. He was a cardiologist. Bleu, he was off limits. Why the hell would my body start betraying me simply because we added puppies and volunteer work to the mix? What the shit was this sorcery?

  “Hey, come get some puppy love.” He leaned his head back, spotting me and gesturing me over.

  I walked over slowly, taking deep breaths and cursing at my core to stop freaking clenching. “Have you had a nice day walking dogs and playing with these little guys? Ask me about my day, Bleu.” I sat down next to him, picking up one of the tiny wiggly babies and pressing my nose to its nose. I needed to act normal, and normal me was sarcastic. The last thing I needed was Bleu, or anyone, knowing that I’d left all my good sense back in that washtub.

  “How was your day, Midge? I’m guessing since you smell like wet dog and your forearm is bleeding, it wasn’t good?” He propped himself up on one elbow and smiled down at the puppy that curled up next to his armpit and instantly fell asleep.

  “I bathed dogs and flea dipped kittens.” I gestured to my injured limbs. “Thus the early onset of cat scratch fever, I’m sure.”

  “But doesn’t snuggling with me in a pile of puppies make it all worth it?” He scooched over, careful not to disturb the sleeping guy next to him, and laid his head in my lap.

  I cuddled the puppy I was holding to my chest with one hand and then ran the fingers of my other hand through Bleu’s dark short hair. In a completely friendly manner, of course. “A shower and a stiff drink would make it all worth it.” A shower to rinse off the wet animal smell and a drink to help take away the sudden desire I had to mount Bleu in said pile of puppies.

  “How about you come back to my place, and I’ll play bartender while you take a bath?” He got to his feet, causing the puppies to jump at his legs, begging for more attention. “You did a good deed today, out of the
kindness of your heart and a shit ton of guilt. Let me take care of you tonight.”

  Let me take care of you tonight. Why the shit were those words making me want to bite my lip and whimper? I’d seen the dude’s magnificent dick—more or less—and didn’t have to stifle a moan. But this? Kind words while I’m surrounded by puppy breath was going to be my downfall? Good lord.

  “Mayk? You okay?”

  He was studying me, his hand out waiting to help me up. “I’m fine.” Was I though?

  “Well then let’s go.” He reached down and grabbed my hand, hauling me to my feet. “We need to gather these little ones and take them back to their momma.” He let go of my palm and started filling his arms with puppies. They started to lick his face again, and his smile was bright and beaming. He laughed and handed me a couple. “Don’t you want to take them home with us though? We could sleep in a pile of puppies tonight.”

  “No,” I yelled the word a little louder than intended. “I, uh, I’m sure they need to stay with their mom.” We could not take these precious babies back to Bleu’s apartment. I wouldn’t last. I wouldn’t be able to resist him shirtless in bed and covered in puppies.

  There was something wrong with me, for sure.

  I needed to make an appointment with Evie’s therapist after I saw the cardiologist.

  Chapter Seven

  Bleu

  “How are things going at the animal shelter?”

  Nicky and I were posted up at our favorite, and the probably the last remaining dive bar in lower Greenville. It was midnight, and we’d closed up shop about forty-five minutes ago. Usually, during the week we took turns staying late. But because I’d had to miss some hours for my community service, we’d both stayed each night this week to keep up.

  “I got to lie in a pile of puppies the other day, so that was pretty fucking great.” I took a sip of my cold beer and rested my elbows against the polished wood surface. “Mayk had to flea dip a litter of kittens and got scratched all to hell.”

  And then she’d come back to my place and promptly showered and drowned herself in martinis. She’d been asleep within thirty minutes, passed out with her head on my chest. Didn’t bother me though. It bears repeating, she smells so fucking good. She always smelled sweet and warm at the same time.

  Nicky chuckled, taking a swig off his bottle. “I can’t believe she actually went along with volunteering.”

  “Midge has a kind heart, but she hides it real well.” That was one thing I’d learned about her over the last few months. When she cared about you, she really cared. She was ride or die with the people who mattered to her. And she kept her word, always.

  “You guys spend a lot of time together.” Nicky’s eyes stayed trained on his beer, but the tone of his voice told me what was coming. “You hittin’ that?”

  This wasn’t the first time Nick had asked me what was up between Maykin and me. I figured it was because he was worried, afraid that something would split us all apart and he and Evie would suddenly have to choose between their best friends.

  I shook my head. “Nah, man. Like I’ve said before, I don’t want to ruin the good thing we got going.”

  And sex would no doubt ruin it. Maykin was a wild one, and settling down was the last thing on her mind. Both of us were wary of commitment, and neither of us would want to chance hurting the other. Things were better this way, they really were.

  “Look, I obviously don’t want you two to bang and then have shit go south. But I see the way you guys are with each other. She makes you laugh and you make her…I don’t know, better.”

  “That girl does make me laugh.” Sarcastic mouthy little brat was always finding ways to give me shit. “But how do I make her better?” I thought she was already a pretty fucking perfect version of herself. Not that I’d say that to her, or to Nicky. No reason to make her head any bigger, and no reason to make Nicky push the subject of her and me hooking up.

  He sighed, shrugging slightly. “I don’t know. It’s like you ground her or something. When she’s with you she seems softer, I guess.” I didn’t comment so he kept going. “I think she’s into you, man. I really do.”

  I laughed, waving him away. “Maykin isn’t into anyone, bro. She’s got wild oats to sow and dragons to slay. That girl knows what she wants in life, and it isn’t to settle down.” She skipped around from guy to guy, dating and dancing and then leaving them alone at the end of the night to come cuddle with me. “I get the best parts of her anyway, you know? We get to hang without all the added bullshit and expectations.”

  “And if she was ready to settle down? What then?”

  “That’s a big fucking if, Nicky.” Maykin was gorgeous and crazy. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, and she wasn’t afraid of hard work. She was soulful and kind, although those were two things she didn’t let show all that often. “But if Maykin wanted to give us a shot, a real fucking shot, no playing around? There’s no way I could deny her.” My dick would commit suicide if I did that to him. “But like I said, Maykin isn’t the girl who has hearts in her eyes and engagement rings saved to a Pinterest board.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe she’ll feel differently after her best friend gets engaged.”

  My jaw dropped open when his words registered in my exhausted brain. “Are you proposing to Evie? Is that what you’re trying to tell me right now?”

  His grin doubled in size. “I mean, not today. But yeah, soon, I want to ask her to marry me.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t imagine my life without her. She’s everything to me. I’m ready to make it official. I even called Smith and asked his permission.”

  “Shut the fuck up.” I was smiling like a moron. If Maykin were here, she’d be making fun of both of us. “What did he say?”

  “He told me I had his blessing.” He took a sip of his beer, wincing. “And that if I hurt her, they’d never find my body.”

  I nodded, lips pursed. “Sounds about right for a father-of-the-bride type speech.” I was happy for Nick and Evie, beyond happy even. I gave them a hard time, incessantly. But they were two of my favorite people on this earth and they were perfect for each other.

  Nick and Evie were proof that love really could move mountains and save lives and all that other mushy shit.

  Chapter Eight

  Bleu

  I’d had beers with Nicky, and then come home to an empty apartment. Lately, every time I walked through my door, Maykin was on the other side. Burning something in the oven or shrinking all my clothes in the dryer. I refused to let myself feel sad that she wasn’t here. That would make me seem like a lovesick pussy, and I was neither lovesick nor a pussy.

  I collapsed on my couch, kicking my feet up to watch TV. A show I wanted to watch, no compromising like when Maykin was here. The “let me control the remote for the next decade” thing had run its course. Although I did kind of wish that she was snuggled up next to me. I’d forgotten to turn the heat up before lying down and I was cold. Maykin always had a blanket around too. They weren’t mine. She’d bought them a few weeks ago to keep at my apartment.

  I craned my neck, searching the living room for a hidden basket of throws. I sighed, resting my head back on the cushion. Ah well, I’d have to be cold because I sure as hell wasn’t getting my ass up to turn on the heater.

  I pulled my phone out of my back pocket when it started to vibrate against my ass cheek. A grin spread across my face, so I bit my lips together to get that shit in check.

  Maykin: Wanna car pool tomorrow?

  Bleu: I thought you couldn’t come, that you had too much work to do for the gallery show?

  Maykin had agreed with Nicky’s little payback plan, and I’d loved it. But I knew that she wouldn’t be able to be there every time I was. I joked around a lot, telling her I had no idea what she did all day. The reality was, I knew she was busy. Maykin was a hella talented artist, and she was working really hard on this gallery opportunity she’d earned.

  Maykin: I can spare a few hours for the homeless
animals, I suppose.

  I was happier than I should be, knowing that she’d be at the shelter with me tomorrow. If Nicky could see the stupid smile on my face, he’d never let me hear the end of it.

  Bleu: Okay cool, I’ll pick you up at your studio?

  Maykin: Yes please.

  Bleu: Hey, where are all those blankets you always have on the couch? My balls are cold.

  Maykin: And we’re back to talking about your genitals.

  Bleu: Ew. I don’t think I like that word.

  Maykin: The blankets are in the closet by the front door, top shelf.

  Bleu: Thanks.

  I got up and found a stack of blankets right where she said they’d be. I grabbed one, unfolded it, and wrapped it around my body. I kicked the heat up on my way back to the couch as well. Pretty soon I’d be all warm and toasty. And then it wouldn’t matter to me, at all, that Maykin wasn’t here.

  I brought the blanket up to my nose, inhaling the sweet scent Maykin always left behind on everything she touched. I tried to concentrate on the show I was watching. But I couldn’t. My damn eyes kept wandering to my phone. Finally I gave up the fight and grabbed my cell, opening my text messages once again.

  Bleu: What are you doing?

  Maykin: Studying, I have a final next week.

  My thumbs hovered over the screen, almost trembling. I wanted to tell her to come over. I wanted to tell her to study here. But I refused. We weren’t dating. She wasn’t my girlfriend. And I didn’t want her to be. Maykin was my friend, and that was the way things needed to stay. Asking her to come over because I was bored or because I wanted to go get drinks was one thing. Asking her to come over because I was missing her was something entirely different.

  Maykin was here all the time, because she needed a place to crash. Or because she felt guilty for the whole jail and probation thing. She wasn’t invading my life or my space simply because she wanted to be around me. That wasn’t who she was.

  I sighed, shaking my head, mad at myself for a reason I couldn’t quite pinpoint.