Chapter Nine
Stephanie tugged at her leash and lunged toward the soccer field. There was a ball in motion and she wanted to chase it.
Brad pulled her away from the sideline. Maybe bringing a dog to Ana’s soccer game, especially the excitable Lab, wasn’t the best idea he’d had. But he was here to hand out flyers for the shelter’s banquet, and bringing a representative of the animals he was trying to help had seemed like a smart marketing move. Something Izzy would approve of.
Ana stood in the backfield as a fullback, looking cute as hell in her green jersey with two darks braids running down her back. Brad scanned the sidelines, looking for the grown-up version of Ana. He didn’t see her, but he did see another female he recognized.
“Hi there, Vi.” He squatted next to the boxer mix and rubbed her head. Stephanie’s greeting was more enthusiastic, tripping over Vi’s front paws and rolling on top of her.
Vi stared up at him with mournful eyes, and Brad shrugged. The dog would have to learn to put up with Stephanie’s goofiness, just like everyone else did.
“I knew bringing the dogs to the game was a smart move.” A tall woman with a mess of big blond hair smiled down at him. “All the cute guys are coming over to say hello.”
He stood. “You must be a friend of Izzy’s. I’m Brad.” Transferring Stephanie’s leash to his left hand, he held out his right.
“Lydia.” She looked him up and down, her eyebrows rising with every inch of his body she scanned. It was almost enough to make him blush.
He grinned. “Where’s Izzy? And the pup?” He still couldn’t get used to calling the poor dude Jasmine.
“Iz had to work. But the cute little dumplin’ is making the rounds.” She pointed out the puppy in the arms of a big, bearded man. “Everyone wants to hold the baby.” She leaned close and whispered, “I think more people are looking at that puppy than the game.”
“Puppies have that effect on people.” His shoulders fell, his arms dropping heavily to his sides. “Izzy isn’t at Ana’s game?” The girl in question watched the ball roll past her and darted into action. She tripped over the ball and fell on her butt. The edges of his lips tugged up. How could Izzy miss this?
Lydia crossed her arms over her chest. “She’s a hard worker. Being a single mom, she has to hustle business whenever she can.”
Brad thought that point was debatable, but he appreciated how quickly the woman stood up for her friend. He raised both hands, palms out. “I’m a big admirer of her work ethic.” Among other things. “I’m just sad she had to miss this. I’m sure both Izzy and Ana are disappointed.”
Lydia relaxed. “Well, there was some sulking this morning when I picked Ana up, but that’s to be expected. I think Ana and this one here were competing for grumpiest girl of the morning.” She bent over and patted first Vi, then Stephanie when the Lab threw herself between Lydia’s hands and the boxer. Laughing, Lydia dropped onto the grass and rolled with the dog. Two blousy blondes with a lot of energy.
Some neurons fired in his brain, and Brad hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets, rocking up onto his toes. “Where do you work, Lydia?” Stephanie could never have an owner who was gone from nine to five. She was an extrovert who needed frequent attention. “Are you an office dweller?”
“God no.” Stephanie flopped to her back, legs in the air, and Lydia rubbed her belly. “I own a winery. Tannert’s in Clarion Township. That’s actually how I met Izzy. She sold the vineyard and buildings to my partner and me. We were her first sale after she moved to Pineville.”
A whistle blew, and the girls trotted to the sidelines.
“Halftime.” Lydia pulled a phone from her back pocket. “I’m going to text Iz with the score.”
“Hey, can you watch Stephanie for a bit while I hand out these flyers?” Brad waved the sheaf of papers. “I have potential donors to line up.”
Sliding her phone into her pocket, she nodded and went back to playing with Stephanie. Brad whistled as he strode away. There’d be one more dog with a forever home by the end of the day.
He passed the flyers around, stopping to say hi to Jasmine and wave to Ana as she retook the field with her team. Brad was down to his last four flyers and figured that was enough work for the day. Time to enjoy a soccer game.
He sat with Lydia and the dogs, cheering on the Green Hornets. And when they won by two goals, he was first in line to congratulate Ana.
He yanked on one of her braids. “Great job, kiddo. You’ve got quite a leg on you.”
“Thanks, Brad.” She knelt next to the dogs and picked her puppy up. “Did you text Mom that we won?” she asked Lydia.
“Just hit Send. She texted back the clapping hands emoji.” Turning her phone, Lydia showed Ana.
Brad’s stomach rumbled. “What do you say we go surprise your mom at her office? Maybe bring her some lunch?” He looked at Lydia and raised an eyebrow.
“She’s not at her office. She has a showing.” Ana rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t have time for lunch.”
“But I do,” Lydia said brightly. “Why don’t we go grab some tacos at Celeste’s?” She included Brad in the invitation. “They allow dogs on their outdoor patio.”
“I’m sold.” Brad scooped up Stephanie’s leash. “I’ll follow you over?”
“The dogs are getting along well,” Lydia said, and stole the leash back. “I’ll take Stephanie with us, too.”
“Of course.” Brad tried to hide his grin and failed. Sometimes it didn’t take long for a dog to dig its way into a person’s heart. “I’ll see everyone over there.”
His good mood lasted through lunch. Lydia was a bit of a goof, and she had a lot of juicy information on Izzy that she wasn’t afraid to share.
Brad grabbed the check from her. “I definitely owe you lunch after all the dirt you gave me.”
“It wasn’t dirt,” she objected. “I told you nothing I wouldn’t have said with her sitting right here next to us.”
“That’s ’cause you speak with your heart, not your head.” Ana caught the curious glances of the two adults and ducked her chin. “That’s what Mom says anyways.”
“Huh.” Lydia nudged Ana’s shoulder. “Talking with my heart? That could explain the chest pains.”
Ana giggled, and Brad didn’t think he’d ever heard a sweeter sound. A lot of kids came into the shelter with their parents, eager for a dog. But Ana was something special.
“Hey, let’s go surprise Izzy at her showing?” Brad stood and stepped to the small gate that led from the restaurant patio to the parking lot. He held it open for the group to pass through. “She must need a break by now, and I’m sure she wants to hear about the game.”
“Interrupting Izzy’s work time? You’re a brave man.” Lydia tipped her face up to him. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
They piled the dogs back in Lydia’s VW bug. Vi huddled next to the far door, putting as much space between herself and Stephanie as possible. Since the backseat of a bug was tiny to start with, that wasn’t much space at all.
“Uh, maybe I should take Stephanie with me.”
“Don’t be silly.” Lydia made sure Ana was secure in the front passenger seat and closed her door. “There’s plenty of room for everyone.” Sticking her hand through the window, she ruffled the hair on the Lab’s head, then stroked a thumb over the dog’s scar. “How’d she lose the eye?” she asked softly.
“The previous owner said she tried to make friends with a raccoon.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “The guy was nice enough to bring his dog to the vet when she was injured, but he never came back to pick her up. Don’t know if he didn’t want to pay the bill or just didn’t want a one-eyed dog.”
“Asshole,” she muttered.
Yep. The world could be full of them. But there were other people like Lydia who would love Stephanie even more because of her injury.
He squeezed her shoulder and found his own truck across the lot. He followed them to a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Marysville, upper-middle class with a couple of newer houses venturing into ritzy territory. The house they parked in front of was one of the posh ones, a large two-story with cathedral windows on the second floor. A man-made lake was only half a block away, and the view from those windows was probably pretty damn spectacular.
Brad stepped out of his car and whistled. “Not a shabby pile of bricks.”
Lydia closed her door. She’d parked under the shade of a large laurel tree and made sure all the windows were cracked open several inches. Stephanie pressed her nose through the opening and whined.
Ana shook her head and fisted her hands on her hips. Adorable. “That dog’s pushy.”
Brad took her hand. “That’s why you got Vi and the puppy. Different dogs suit different people.”
The front door was standing open, and the scent of cinnamon apples greeted them as they stepped into the foyer. A red candle flickered on the console table under a large gold-framed mirror.
Heels clacked on hardwood and Izzy turned the corner down the hall. Her professional smile slid into something warm when she caught sight of Ana. “Hey, baby! How was your game? I heard you kicked butt.”
Ana ran into her mom’s arms. “I had three steals!”
“That’s great.”
“Did you sell this house yet?” Ana asked.
“Nope. I’ve only had curious neighbors come by so far. No serious interest.”
Ana fiddled with the hem of her jersey. “If you don’t sell it, does that mean I can’t go to soccer camp this year?”
Izzy dropped down, her butt resting on her heels, her light purple skirt sliding up past her knees a couple of inches. “It’ll sell. If you keep your grades up, you’ll go to soccer camp.” She flattened her lips into a firm line.
Brad shifted his weight. Was money tight for them? He didn’t know all the costs that went into raising a child. Hadn’t appreciated how stressful it must be for a single mom.
Izzy pressed her lips to Ana’s forehead, and her own creased. Her eyes met Brad’s over the top of Ana’s head and held.
Brad could drown in those eyes. They were beautiful. Almond-shaped, the irises an interesting shade of brown. Lighter than her hair, deeper than her bronze skin. Like glowing bits of amber. And everything she didn’t say, all the emotion she kept buttoned down behind her skirt suits and professionalism, shone through those eyes.
His heart pumped double time.
A car parked at the sidewalk out front, the sound of slamming doors breaking Brad’s trance. A man and a woman in their forties headed up the front path.
Brad nodded his head at the door. “You’re up,” he told Izzy. He led Ana into the kitchen, hoping Izzy would make a better impression without her friends and family taking over the entry.
Lydia followed him and Ana and peered into the backyard. “This place is nice. Is that a sculpture garden?”
Izzy’s voice grew closer, and she stepped into the kitchen with the couple. “You mentioned you like to cook, Mr. Applebaum. As you can see, this kitchen is a chef’s dream.” She pointed out the gray marble countertops, the double-wide refrigerator, and ample cabinet space.
Brad held out a stool for Ana at the wide island. “This is a great kitchen, babe,” he said to Lydia. Angling his head away from the Applebaums, he gave her a sly wink. “I can just imagine you cooking here when our parents come to visit.” He turned to the couple. “You know how judgy in-laws can be. But give them a glass of wine at this counter, or push them out onto the back patio to put their feet up, and we’ll be golden.”
“I do like the farmhouse sink,” Lydia agreed. She was quick to catch on and really got into the game. Maybe a little too much. Strolling over beside him, she wrapped an arm around his waist and ducked under his shoulder so she was snuggled up against his body. She looked up at him with soft eyes. “And the house is a good size for our growing family.” Taking his hand, she laced their fingers together and placed it on her stomach.
Izzy’s eyes were anything but soft. She glanced at Brad’s hand on her friend’s abdomen, over at the Applebaums, then Ana, then back to Brad’s hand. But she didn’t call them on their bullshit. She herded the couple out the back door. “Let’s go check out the yard. There are raised beds, perfect for a garden full of herbs and vegetables.”
Ana tilted her head. She opened her mouth, but Brad quickly pulled her down from her perch. “Let’s go check out the bedrooms, baby girl. See if there’s one you like.” Turning her toward the kitchen door and placing his body between her and Izzy, he covered her mouth with his hand. “Honey, why don’t you take pictures of that molding you like in the living room.” He hadn’t noticed it, but a house like this had to have crown molding. “Compare it to what we saw on that home show.”
Lydia leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Sure thing, sweetie. See you upstairs.”
Izzy glared daggers at them but pasted on a smile as she led the couple to the backyard. “As you can see, interest is high in this house. Now, the yard is something special…” Her voice drifted off as they moved farther away.
Ana tugged at his hand, and he let it drop. “What was that about?” She sounded exasperated, and much too adult for her years.
Brad grinned. “That is us trying to help your mom make a sale.” He headed down the hallway and to the stairs, curious to see the rest of the place. It was a far cry from his one-bedroom apartment. “Nothing looks more attractive than when other people want the same thing.”
“Like when Angie said she didn’t like Josh until I said I thought he was cute, and then she was all into him and gave him a special Valentine when everyone else just got a box of hearts?”
Brad blinked and rubbed his fingers across his jaw. “Yeah, sort of like that.” Did nine-year-old girls get into fights over boys? That seemed like something that shouldn’t be happening until high school.
Lydia climbed up the stairs. “Seriously, if you wanted to buy this house, I think I’d marry you just to live in it.” She leaned over the hall banister and stretched toward the chandelier that hung over the foyer. Brad grabbed the back of her waistband and hauled her back. She turned. “Have you ever seen so many crystals all in one place?”
“No. I also don’t want to see your brains splashed on the floor down there, so be careful.”
Lydia stuck out her tongue, and Ana laughed. Grabbing the girl’s hand, she skipped down the hall. “Worrywart!” The duo disappeared into the room at the end, and Ana squealed at whatever they found.
Brad rubbed the back of his neck. In their little threesome, he was the responsible one. His lips curved up. That usually wasn’t the way it worked. Izzy came into view below, the couple trailing behind her, and Brad hurried to join his “family.” Now that Ana was in on the fun, the three of them really worked it. Oohing and aahing over the rooms, Ana squealing and saying she loved everything, especially the little book nook under the staircase. She grabbed his hand and jumped up and down, begging him to buy the house.
“I don’t know if I can get the loan.” Spinning slowly in the foyer under the chandelier, he tried for a wistful look. “But it sure would be nice.”
Behind the Applebaums’ back, Izzy pretended to play a tiny violin and shook her head. But her mouth was soft, and her body language said many things, but angry wasn’t one of them. She thought he was a dumbass, that was clear. But a cute dumbass, Brad hoped.
She walked out with the couple and waved as they got in their car and drove away. She came back in and shut the front door.
“Did we do it, Mom? Did we help you sell your house?”
Izzy shook her head at her daughter and turned to Brad. “Teaching my daughter to lie isn’t cool. And you!” She whirled on her friend. “I expect Ana’s honorary aunt to be more responsible.”
“Do you, Izzy?” Lydia tipped her head to the side. “Do you?”
Throwing her hands in the air, Izzy stalked into the kitchen.
Lydia opened the front door. “Ana, why don’t we get the dogs and let them play in the backyard for a bit?” Ana nodded and they jogged for the VW.
Brad turned in the other direction. He found Izzy bent over in the open fridge, her skirt pulled tight over her round ass. Brad might have drooled. Just a little.
Izzy stood, clutching a bottle of water. She held it up to him. “You want one?”
He cleared his throat. “No thanks.”
She knocked the door shut with her hip, and Brad groaned deep in his throat.
Lowering the bottle, she tipped her head. “You say something?”
“Nope.” He knew Ana and Lydia were close. Knew this was, in effect, Izzy’s place of business. But his body didn’t listen to reason. It prowled toward her, close enough to smell her light scent, and leaned against the island, inches away from her body. “So, did we help you make a sale?”
She sighed. “Probably. Damn you. But don’t tell Ana. I don’t want her thinking lying gets you what you want.”
“Got it.” He inched even closer. The heat from her body warmed his, her delicate perfume surrounding him, making his head go light.
Her breath hitched, and she looked up at him, eyes growing wide.
A stray bit of lint was on the shoulder of her jacket, and he took the excuse to touch her. After brushing it off, he let his hand linger. “Since you might get this sale, I want to take you out to dinner to celebrate.”
“Shouldn’t the celebration wait until after I actually make the sale?” Her voice had dropped an octave, gone husky, and it heated Brad like a fine whiskey.
“I don’t like delaying gratification. Life’s too short. But if you like, we can go out to celebrate Ana’s win.”
Her eyes shifted to the side. “I don’t know…”
He brought his hand up the curve of her shoulder and let it rest on her collarbone. Brushing his thumb over the soft skin of her neck, he felt her pulse pound beneath his touch. Slowly, so slowly it almost killed him, he lowered his head until their mouths were only inches apart.
“Say yes, Izzy. I’m not asking for a commitment or to be the father of your next child. I only want to take you out and show you a good time.”
The tip of her tongue darted out and moistened her lower lip.
His gaze dropped to her mouth. Her upper lip was slightly larger than her bottom, a sexy bow, and he lowered his head another inch.
“It’s not a good idea,” she whispered.
“I disagree.” He settled his other hand at her hip, and squeezed. “It’s a fantastic idea.”
“It’s just…I can’t…” Izzy shook her head.
He raised an eyebrow. “I can always go ask Lydia. She seems to be a girl who likes to have fun.” It was a tease and they both knew it. But Izzy was a woman who needed more teasing in her life.
She snaked her hand out and grabbed his T-shirt, tugging him into her. He had a moment of surprise, a moment he didn’t know if he’d keep his balance or fall into her and the counter, and then her mouth was on his.
His lips were finally on Isabelle Lopez.
Going with his forward momentum, he walked her into the refrigerator door, pressing her against it and slapping his palms on the cool metal surface.
Holy shit. Izzy’s mouth was on his, with a kiss she’d started, and it felt fucking fantastic. Her lips were yielding, exploratory. Her breasts pressed into his chest, so damn soft and making him so damned hard. Cupping her jaw, he tilted her head up, took it deeper, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth when she opened in invitation.
Ana had been right. Women did like men more when they thought their friends might have a shot. Even if that remark about Lydia had been a joke, it had gotten Izzy where he wanted her. Thank God for female competition.
She touched her tongue to his, and the spark of contact shot straight to his groin. He’d known there were a lot more layers to Izzy than mom and agent, but he hadn’t been prepared for her spicy side to bust out in the kitchen of a house she was showing. So. Damn. Hot. He skimmed his hand up under her jacket, over her silk blouse, until he palmed her heavy breast. As he rubbed his thumb in a circle around her nipple, they moaned together.
Something crashed into the door to the backyard, and Izzy jerked her head back. She stared up at him, breathing heavily. “What was that?”
He didn’t know if she meant the sound or the shock wave that hit when their lips met. She must have felt it, too. He couldn’t be the only one whose world just got rocked. But the first answer was easier to give. Turning his head, he saw a golden tail wagging so hard it shook Stephanie’s entire body.
He dropped his head. “Stephanie ran into the back door.”
She snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes going round. Brad didn’t know whether to laugh or curse. Their moment was definitely over, and he had to package up all his lust and store it away for a later time. When dogs and kids and best friends weren’t playing chase in the backyard.
Dating a mom was going to be more challenging than he’d expected. He dropped his hand from her breast and stepped back. However, he had a feeling Izzy would be worth it.
“Tonight. I’ll pick you up at seven, yeah?”
Izzy stared out into the backyard, sucking on her lower lip. She shook her head, and Brad’s stomach dropped. Until she said, “Tomorrow. I need time to find a babysitter.”
Grinning, he planted a soft kiss on her cheek. “I knew I’d get you to cave. Tomorrow it is.” Without waiting to give her a chance to change her mind, he headed outside and joined the fray. He let Stephanie tackle him, and they rolled together on the lawn.
Life was pretty damn sweet. He had a date with a beautiful woman, and this banquet was sure to raise enough money to keep his shelter going a while longer. Personal and professional lives were chugging along full steam ahead.
There was nothing that could take him off track.