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Blake rolled his eyes. “Yeah, big wow factor there.”

“Touché.”

Thoughts of his first date with Jenny creeped in. Blake had taken her for dinner at Sonic, and they’d gone for a walk through town. Nothing fancy, but it had been nice.

“I’m already stressin’ without you telling me what I’m doing wrong, so if it’s all the same, just shut up, okay?” Geez, he hadn’t dated in almost a decade, and his one attempt earlier in the week had failed miserably. At least he had nowhere to go but up.

Best saluted him. “You got it. It will be fine, anyway. I’ve seen the way that girl looks at you. You could take her to McDonald’s, and she’d still think the moon rose and set on your ass.”

“That’s not shuttin’ up.”

“Fine, have fun tonight, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“There is nothing you wouldn’t do.”

“True.”

Best walked away, and Blake turned his attention back to Charge.

“Don’t worry, dude. We’ll figure out what’s up with you.”

BLAKE STOOD ON Hannah’s porch at two minutes to seven, taking a deep breath before he knocked. He’d gone casual with a pair of jeans, a collared shirt, and a jacket, leaving off a hat.

The door swung open, and Hannah smiled at him.

“Come on in, I’m just getting on my shoes.”

Blake followed her inside, his gaze traveling over her. She was wearing a low-cut black wrap dress with gray leggings, and as she bent over to pull her boot on, he got a great view of her breasts overflowing the black lacy cups of her bra.

She straightened up, brushing her loose hair over her shoulder. “I just need my jacket, scarf, and to find Milo.”

“I’ll get the dog, you finish up.” Blake gently touched her arm, and she stilled, looking up at him questioningly. He kissed her lips softly and whispered, “You look beautiful, by the way.”

She melted against him, and her hands slid up his chest, playing with the collar of his shirt. “You look nice, too.”

Disengaging himself from her before things heated up, he went in search of the puppy.

“Milo?” he called. The distinct

sound of a puppy growl drew his attention, and he found the golden brat at the end of the hallway, his hackles straight up.

“Come on, dude, we’re going to be friends.”

Hannah came up behind him, her voice stern. “Milo, stop that. I don’t know why he’s being that way. He never growls.”

“He’s a puppy, and he’s used to being the man of the house.” Blake bent over and scooped the pup up, looking him in the eye. “He’ll get used to me.”

The sound of liquid hitting fabric reached his ears before Blake realized the damn dog was pissing on him.

“Shit!”

He could have sworn the little runt smirked at him, as if saying, You wanna bet, asshole?

“Oh my God, please tell me he didn’t just pee on you,” Hannah asked behind him.

“I hate to break it to you, but . . . he did.”

“Crap! That is so weird, I just took him out! Let me put him in his crate, and while I’m doing that, take off your shirt, and I’ll throw everything in the washing machine.”