Reckless Hearts (Oak Harbor #2)(14)

Promises you never make can’t be broken, and that’s just easier on everyone in the end.



I decide to add my parents to the growing list of things I’m ignoring right now, and focus on having a great, relaxing weekend before the madness of work starts up again tomorrow. After I finish up my errands, I head over to my friend Sawyer’s place, equipped with beer, soda, and hotdog buns. Lottie and Kit are already in the backyard when I arrive, splashing around in their swimming gear in a bright plastic wading pool while Sawyer gets the grill smoking.

“Hey! You got the party started without me!” I greet them, dumping my stuff on the lawn. I fish a toy from my bag. “Look who left his favorite duckie in the backseat of my car?” I toss it to Lottie, who catches it with a sigh of relief.

“Thank you! I thought we were going to have a serious meltdown on our hands, until Sawyer distracted him with the puppy.”

Kit is splashing happily—with a tiny furry friend.

“You got another one?” I cry, turning to Sawyer. “C’mon, I thought we agreed, three was enough.”

“She’s right.” Lottie grins. “What’s the male version of a cat lady? Because you’re halfway there already.”

Sawyer shrugs, smiling. “What am I supposed to do? They’re all so helpless and needy and cute.”

“Remind me never to take you to a club on ladies’ night,” I snort with laughter. Not that he needs to go out to have women throw themselves at him. As a young, handsome vet, Sawyer is pretty much the most eligible bachelor in town—or at least, he was, until Will Montgomery showed up.

“Tell that to Missy Anderson,” Lottie calls, sing-song.

I arch an eyebrow at Sawyer, sauntering over to hand him a beer. “Missy, huh? She’s a little on the older side, but maybe cougars are just your type.”

“Don’t.” Sawyer looks embarrassed. “She’s got it in her head I’m going to be her new toyboy. She keeps showing up at the animal rescue asking about adopting. Except, she only wants a hypoallergenic shih tzu. She actually asked if we had any ‘in stock.’ ”

I laugh. “Aww, you could do worse. I heard she cleaned out Mr. Anderson in the divorce. You could be leading a life of leisure, and all you’d have to do is parade around in some tight swim trunks from time to time.”

Sawyer elbows me good-naturedly. “Keep it up, and you won’t get fed.”

“No!” I press my hand to my forehead. “Anything but that!”

He shakes his head, and goes back to the grill. I pull up a lawn chair and stretch, yawning. “Late night?” he asks.

I shake my head. “Early morning. I got a pretty hard workout.”

“Really?” Sawyer drawls, giving me a look.

I toss a hotdog bun at him. “Not like that! I went for a run.” Will’s face flashes into my mind again. I change the subject. “How are things at the rescue?”

“Great. We’re building out another shed to house the dogs, and it’s breeding season, so—” He stops himself. “Sorry, vet stuff. Moving on.”

“Hey, it’s OK. I know you love those smelly, fluffy beasts.”

“Delilah Morgan, animal lover,” he teases.

“I love them just fine, like the way I love kids.” I grin, taking a sip of beer. “When they’re clean, groomed, and sleeping soundly.”

“We heard that.” Lottie approaches from behind, with Kit bundled up in a towel.

I grin. “This guy’s my exception. C’mere.” I pull Kit into my lap and ruffle his wet hair. He laughs and squirms against me. “You’re not like the other boys, are you?”

Kit shakes his head, smiling, jam smeared on his cheek. I drop a kiss on his forehead and squeeze him tight. “One of these days, you’re going to be breaking hearts and taking names.”

Lottie groans. “Don’t even say that. He’s already the most popular guy in day-care. The other moms keep talking about his new girlfriends. I’m like, please, he’s two years old, he’s not even potty-trained. Let’s save dating until he can count to five.”

We laugh. I feel my stomach rumble, and shoot a longing look at the grill. “How much longer until we feast? I’m running on pure sugar here.”

Sawyer rolls his eyes. “Will it kill you to eat a balanced meal? There’s some veggies and dip in the house.”

“And?”

“And Doritos,” he adds, sighing. I bounce up.

“Be right back!”

I head inside and raid Sawyer’s fridge. Nothing but fruit, vegetables, and a lone container of salsa. This guy is way too healthy—just one of the million reasons why we’ve never hooked up. That, and the fact he had a thing for my friend Eva when he first moved to town. Once I shifted him into the “friend” box in my mind, there was no going back. I love the guy, but I’d go crazy trying to date him for more than five minutes—and hungry.

I crunch a carrot as I balance the chips and whatever junk food I can scrounge and head back outside. Lottie and Sawyer are talking about something, but when I get closer, they fall silent.

“What’s up?” I ask, ripping into the food.

They exchange a look. “Nothing!” Lottie says brightly. “Mmm, pass me some of that celery?”