Drop Dead Gorgeous(64)

I’m playing it cool, trying to get him to talk, especially by dropping the exact designer-mix breed dog Yvette has while asking for advice.

Sebastian chuckles nonchalantly. “Yeah, man, I hear that. But the 30-day is good for all dogs. I’ve got a client, also an Irish Retriever, that’s so sweet, but he’s willful as hell.”

“Another Irish Retriever?” I ask, mock surprised. The mastiff owner quickly thanks Sebastian and leaves, pretending to lead his dog when I’m pretty sure that monster could be hooked to the front of his truck and pull them both home. But I’m focused on Sebastian. “Those are pretty rare. Mine’s a shedder, the Retriever side, I guess.”

Sebastian agrees, “Yeah, they tend to create a small hair storm. With Rusty, we have to vacuum after him almost every day.”

“Oh, don’t I know it!” I exclaim. Looking at Zoey, who’s catching on, I grin. “How long ago did you make me buy that new robot vacuum, honey?”

“Last month. It was that online sale,” Zoey fake-reminds me, joining in. “No way was I using that big vacuum any longer.” She bends her elbows, not flexing her toned arms so it seems like she’s a weakling.

“I wouldn’t know,” Sebastian offers with a flex of his own.

I clear my throat. “Shedding aside, I love these guys though. Even if they kill my budget with special food, vacuums, chair legs . . . ugh.” I roll my eyes dramatically—for Chunky and Jessie, my imaginary Irish-Retriever.

Sebastian’s eyebrows lift, and I see he caught scent of the bait I just laid out. “Chair legs, huh? You know, I offer obedience lessons. I could help you out on that.”

“Could you?” Zoey asks, smiling hopefully as though Sebastian were her savior. I know she’s playing her part too, but that doesn’t stop the growl from trying to rumble in my chest. Especially when she adds, “I mean, last week, Jessie got ahold of my favorite bra, and . . . well, you know.”

Sebastian laughs, his eyes flittering to Zoey’s chest naturally before coming back to her eyes faster than a single man normally would. “I understand.”

“Is it a breed thing?” I ask. “For Irish Retrievers? You know, did the other owner, I dunno, get things eaten?”

Sebastian laughs. “No, nothing like that.”

I nod, seeing the opening but knowing it’s not quite big enough yet. “Well, if you’ve got a card or something, man, I’d love to check my schedule at home, see if we can set something up?”

Sebastian’s quick to his pocket, pulling out his wallet and a business card and offering it to me. “Here you go. Email’s best, but that’s just so if I’m with a client, I don’t forget to call back.”

“Thanks,” I tell him, tucking the card in my pocket. “Well, we should get going. Chunkster!”

Chunky comes bounding over, nearly taking me to the ground again, but I manage to clip his leash on. I wave to Sebastian, but he’s already scanning for his next potential clients.

Zoey keeps her cool until we’re at the gate and leaving before elbowing me in the ribs. “What the hell was that?”

I grin, knowing this is one area where my experience far outstrips hers. “Long game. If we’d asked more about Yvette, he would have gotten his guard up. It’s why I kept it to the dog. Now we can find out more about him, and maybe Yvette.”

Zoey thinks, then nods at my logic. “So . . . like a sale.”

“Just like a sale. Some are fast, some are slow, but you take whatever time’s needed.”

Zoey gives me that single eyebrow lift that says she knows what I’m up to. She knows I’m talking about two things at once again. “Smart man.”

“I know,” I say cockily, but I soften the pseudo-arrogance with a smile. “Now, we wait,” I continue as we reach my car and I open the back for Chunky, who promptly hops in. I know he’s going to give Zoey the full-on puppy dog eyes treatment, but safety is always first. “I figure at least a day or two before calling.”

“Why?” Zoey asks, standing in the door I’ve opened for her. “I don’t understand.”

I crowd into her space, loving the way her breath hitches as she looks up at me. “It’s how it’s done. If you really want the biggest sale, you don’t pressure, you don’t push. You draw them to you so that everything’s smooth as butter when the deal’s closed.”

Zoey gives me a questioning look, sure we’re not talking about Sebastian anymore. After a moment where I swear I can see her mind processing—contemplating me, us, and an amalgamation of possibilities—she gets in and I close the door.

We should get going, but I pause, needing a breath myself. Because yeah, she’s my biggest sale. Selling myself to her by making her wonder how she ever lived without me and ensuring that she never wants to again.

Because this woman? Even after I’ve been chasing her for weeks, telling her flat out that I want her and want to date her, she’s not sure I’m being honest. People have really done a number on her. But I can undo it. I’ll keep trying.





Chapter 17





Zoey





We’re all born with virtues. Intelligence, kindness, creativity . . . they vary from person to person. Patience is not a virtue I was gifted with.