Setting her hip to the door, Zoey peered up at him, arms folded across her chest. “No pressure, huh?” Her eyes sparkled, even though her tone was dry. “You’re literally trying to guilt me into doing what you want. Maybe I wanted to sleep in. Maybe you’re not welcome here unannounced. Maybe I’m allergic to eggs and bacon. Did you ever think of that?”
Hmm. She had a point.
“What if I promised quiche?”
“Quiche is still eggs and sometimes bacon.”
“Yes, but only sometimes bacon.”
“Doesn’t negate the risk of anaphylaxis.”
“Are you actually allergic?”
“Not the point.”
“It feels like the point. Because if this is a breakfast food allergy issue, I’m happy to come back at lunchtime.” Setting his shoulder to the same side of the doorframe, Graham gazed down at her. “As a restauranteur, I take food allergies seriously.”
Her eyebrow climbed higher.
“Very, very seriously.”
“You can’t flirt with food allergies, Graham.”
“No? See, I thought this was going really well. I can switch topics if that helps. What’re your feelings on cinnamon rolls the size of your head?”
“Hmm.” Taking a moment to visualize, Zoey sighed. “I bet they don’t exist. And you can’t flirt with me when I haven’t brushed my teeth. I’m not even dressed.”
“So? I thought indecent exposure was your thing.”
Ahh, too far. With a waggle of one specific finger in his direction, Zoey closed the door in his face. Feeling his lips curving, Graham knew it was time to change tactics. Maybe he needed to be clearer in his intentions here.
“I know you’re still there,” Graham told her cheerfully. “I can see your shadow through the eyehole.”
“You’re an eyehole.”
“Probably, but I’d like for us to be friends. Come on, ballbuster. Let’s get some breakfast.”
“Or I could just call security.”
“Naw, I’m buddies with the owner’s son. They’re used to me.” He did his best to appear charming through the eyehole. “It’s my treat.”
“I don’t eat breakfast.”
“Everyone eats breakfast. Some just start later in the day than others. Let me make yesterday up to you. I don’t make a habit of scaring women, and I’d like a do-over.”
The door opened just wide enough for her to peer out. “I thought you said I owed you?”
Graham shook his head. “Naw, I think it’s mutual owing. I know a place that makes an excellent egg-free omelet with no bacon.”
“The five-star restaurant in the world class resort where we’re standing right this very minute?”
“Someplace where the napkins aren’t folded into swans or fans or dorkfish. Cinnamon rolls the size of your head. Warm, yummy cinnamon rolls.” He lowered his voice to sell the deliciousness of the offering. “But they run out quick. Are you in or out?”
Never one to fear a little pain, Graham risked the tip of his nose as he stuffed it into the one-inch opening of the door, earning himself a view of her pretty eyes and the curtain-darkened room behind her. Then a close-up of the security chain as she smirked and chained him out of her room.
“I take it that’s a no?”
Even though it was stupid, he found himself dreadfully disappointed. Graham didn’t know why, but he was dangerously close to liking this one, tourist and all.
“I’m in,” Zoey admitted, still leaving the chain up. “But if you’re lying about the cinnamon roll, I’m going to get revenge. I don’t know how, but the retribution will be swift and the justice ample.”
“How ample?” Graham murmured.
“Oh. Ample. Teenage daydream ample.”
“My favorite kind of revenge, gorgeous.” Dying to reach out and brush an errant strand of hair away from her brow, Graham had to content himself with stuffing his nose farther inside the door, earning a soft snicker for his efforts.
“You’re like a puppy desperate to come in and play. Okay, out, so I don’t squish you.” He did as she asked, and Zoey closed the door enough to unchain it before opening it all the way. Rumpled and sleepy looked far too good on her.
“Hey there, Zoey Bear,” Graham murmured, softening his voice.
“Wait out here until I get ready. Lana’s still in bed.”
“I wouldn’t dream of intruding.”
“You’re incorrigible, aren’t you?”
This time when the door closed between them, it stayed that way. Graham settled in to wait for a woman, leaning back on the wall across the hallway. He’d been called worse, and he’d rarely had the chance to wait for better. Zoey appeared only a couple of minutes later, her black-and-white Alaska bag over her shoulder.
“A part of me was hoping this was all a bizarre dream.”
“Really? Because I feel like you and I are becoming fast friends.” Graham tossed her the keys. “You drive. This is way too early for me.”
Maybe he deserved the rolled eyes, but he’d earned the tiny curving of her lips fair and square.
Hannah was just coming off her shift as Zoey headed for the exit, Graham at her heels. When Hannah tilted her head, silently mouthing “What are you doing?” Graham shrugged, giving his ex a helpless look.
“She’s kidnapping me,” he stage-whispered back. “Call Jonah.”
Hearing him, Zoey turned, confused. “What was that?”
Hands in his pockets, Graham lengthened his stride to fall in next to her. “Nothing. Oh, I’m parked with the rest of the staff. Hang a right.”
Someone was waiting for them in the bed of the truck, floppy ears perked to listen for Graham’s voice, furry tail wagging.
“Who is this?” Her voice shifted to one of delight. “He’s wearing pajamas.”
“That’s Jake. He’s the love of my life.” Confessing his everlasting devotion to the wriggling ball of fur and joy didn’t bother Graham one bit. “Jake prefers the snug comfort of long johns, but he’s been known to rock a sleep set if the cartoons are right. We’re all about the choo choos and Ninja Turtles, aren’t we, buddy?”
Aware his dog was adorable on the level few living beings achieved, Graham was used to strangers reaching for Jake without asking. Already shifting to intercept if her hands went for him, Graham’s instincts weren’t necessary. Zoey’s fingers stayed clasped behind her.
“Can I pet him?”
“Of course. He’s blind, so hold on. Jake. Introduction time.”
The border collie sat up at attention.
“Jake, buddy. This is Zoey. She’s trouble, but so far, she’s made this week more interesting than normal. Don’t bite her, okay?”
With a yip, he dropped to his belly, tail wagging furiously.
“He promises he won’t bite,” Graham assured Zoey. By the look of utter delight on her face, he knew Jake had won her over already. Still, something about this girl made him want to show off, just a little.
“Give the woman some space, Jake. You just met.”
The border collie literally hopped backward, then he rolled over, sticking out one paw and curling the other across his chest.
“Yeah, I know. She’s a heart stopper, isn’t she? But try to play it cool, man. Just say hello.”
Trotting up to the edge of the truck bed at Graham’s verbal cue of “hello,” Jake held out his paw in introduction.
Taking his paw in her hand, Zoey melted into a standing pile of goo.
The border collie wiggled and wagged until his body couldn’t handle it anymore. Flopping over, he shoved his furry belly into Zoey’s slender fingers. Graham watched her coo over Jake like he was the best dog in the world—which he was. Nose-to-nose, Zoey dissolved into giggles as Jake licked her from chin to cheekbone.
“Way to make me look bad, buddy,” Graham murmured. “He’s such a ladies’ man.”
“On the contrary. He more than makes up for you waking me up so early this morning. Your daddy owes you, doesn’t he?”
Jake wriggled in agreement.
“Actually, we’re more like human/canine bros. His mom was a real piece of work, and dad left when his eyes were still closed.”
“Hush. I like you more when you’re just standing there, all sexy guy with a cute puppy.”
Graham hushed. As compliments went, he’d take it.
“Is it safe for him to be in the bed?”
“Nope, but I wasn’t going to leave him in the cab while I was inside the big house.” Picking Jake up under one arm, Graham carried him to the back seat of his truck, belting him in securely.
In the end, Zoey did drive, although she had to scoot his seat up as far as it could go to reach the pedals. Settling back in the passenger seat, Graham kicked a foot up and enjoyed not driving for a change. A few eyebrows raised in curiosity as Graham’s truck drove past with a Zoey-shaped driver, but Graham waved cheerfully, letting them look.
“You’d think they’d never seen us on a date before, Jake.”
“This isn’t a date. Well, not with you. Jake still has a shot.”
“You get all the ladies, don’t you, buddy?” Graham sighed mournfully. “It’s just not fair. You were born with all the looks, and I got stuck with the charm. Turn left up there.”
“I can’t tell if you’re the most confident or most self-deprecatingly insecure human being I’ve met.”
Chuckling, Graham closed his eyes. “Tell me when we get there.”
A couple of hard steps on the brakes later, Graham finished giving Zoey directions to the modest, two-story strip mall downtown. The bottom three units were easily identified, with signs hanging for all the world to see: the local daycare, a family law office, and the town’s life-weary therapist. Upstairs were three more units, two with newspapers covering their windows and one with a simple unmarked door.