Page 64 of Brokered Betrayals
He smiled at Dolly and said, “Oh, aren’t you the prettiest thing.”
“Thanks,” Sawyer said. “That was from Dolly. You weren’t calling me pretty.”
“I could hold her while you sign,” Derrick said, smiling at Sawyer. “I love dogs, but my boyfriend is allergic.”
Dolly yipped again and wriggled harder when Derrick set his ePod on top of the box and reached for her.
“The dude needs to go,” Royce announced.
Derrick’s hands stilled. “My boyfriend? We’ve been together for five years, and he’s not allergic to all animals.”
“No,” Royce said with a firm head shake. “You, buddy.” He picked up the ePod and stylus from the box and scrawled his name on the screen. “First you charm my man, and now you’re after my dog?”
“Don’t listen to him,” Sawyer said, extending Dolly toward Derrick with a smug expression.
Derrick cuddled the dog and talked to her in the sweetest voice. Dolly made a real slut of herself, licking his face and wiggling against his big, muscular chest.
“Would you like something to drink, Derrick?” Sawyer asked. “It’s awfully hot out there.”
“It’s sixty degrees,” Royce snarled. “He’s fine.”
Derrick raised his head and smiled. “I am fine, but thank you.”
Royce must’ve reached his breaking point, declaring, “That’s enough,” as he took their dog back. “Good day to you, sir.”
Derrick winked at Sawyer and blew a kiss at Dolly. “Have a great weekend, fellas.” He grabbed his two-wheeled cart and whistled as he returned to his truck.
Royce glowered until Derrick pulled out of their driveway. He handed Dolly to Sawyer and scooted the big box into the foyer. “What the heck is in here?”
“You won’t believe it,” Sawyer said.
“Seems like this is the morning for incomprehensible things.” Royce shut the door and faced Sawyer with hands on hips. “Shameful.”
“What did I do?” Sawyer asked.
“I was talking to Dolly, but you’re in the doghouse too.”
“I repeat, ‘What did I do?’”
Royce batted his eyelashes frantically and infused as much husk into his voice when he said, “Would you like something to drink, Derrick? It’s awfully…hot out there.”
Sawyer slumped against the closed door and laughed at his outlandish portrayal. “I didn’t sound like that, and stop batting your eyelashes. It looks like you’ve developed a painful nervous tic.” Sawyer straightened to his full height and pointed at Royce. “And you’re one to talk.”
“Me? I simply greeted the man when I opened the door.”
Sawyer pursed his lips and leaned against the door to mirror Royce’s earlier pose. “Hello there, big boy.”
Snorting, Royce shook his head. “I didn’t say that.”
“And you were going to mention his mighty big package before I cut you off.” Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Seriously, save your outrage.”
“It is a huge package,” Royce said, gesturing to the box in the foyer. He rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Can I open it? Can I?”
“We should probably wait for Eddie. He will get the biggest kick out of it.”
Royce huffed and pouted like a toddler. “But I’ve already had to wait for months.”
“You didn’t know the gift existed until twenty minutes ago.”