Page 79 of Men or Paws

“I’m sorry. Thank you for caring, I really appreciate that, but why didn’t you just tell me the truth when you couldn’t find him? I would’ve understood and probably would’ve told you to go check next door since it’s not the first time Houdini has gone over there. He escapes all the time, remember?”

Beth relaxed her shoulders. “I know, but I didn’t want to worry you while you were so far away. Plus, I was a little embarrassed that I failed you. You love Houdini so much, and I was supposed to take care of him and protect him.”

I blew out a breath. “Give me a break. You didn’t fail me. You just had some difficulty with the assigned task. I told you he has that name for a reason.”

Beth snorted, which was a good sign since that meant her good humor was returning. “That’s an understatement.”

“And by the way, nice try with the decoy dog.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood a little more since I still felt like a dirtbag for making her cry.

“Just so you know, I didn’t plan on doing that with Sage, but Holly showed up and one thing led to another,” Beth said, reaching over and scratching the dog on the head. “Sage is Holly’s dog.”

I nodded. “And, uh . . . who’s Holly?”

A woman sat down next to Beth on the couch, the woman I’d seen duck down behind the kitchen counter earlier.

“That would be me,” she said, waving. “I’m Beth’s friend.”

“Best friend,” Beth added. “She also happens to be my brother’s girlfriend.”

“Your boyfriend is Josh Myers?” I said.

Holly nodded. “The one and only.”

“That is very cool. I’m a big fan of his.”

She smiled. “And he’s a big fan of yours.”

“Tell him I look forward to meeting him. It should’ve happened a long time ago since we have the same agent.” I checked my vibrating phone and read the text from the director. “And that’s my cue. Some people are waiting for me in the restaurant downstairs, I need to run. So, Beth? Are we good?”

“You made me stand on one leg and bark like a dog,” she said. “What do you think?”

“I’m going to make it up to you when I get back,” I said. “I promise.”

“And how exactly do you think you’re going to do that?” Beth asked.

“Take her to a five-star restaurant and spoil her!” Holly blurted out.

“That’s a good start,” Rocco said. “Sounds good. It’s a date.”

“It is not a date,” Beth said. “You think a nice meal is going to make up for embarrassing me like that? I repeat, you made me bark!”

“If it makes you feel any better, it was a very cute bark,” I said.

“I thought so, too,” Holly said.

“You’re not helping,” Beth said to Holly, then turned to me, pretending to still be annoyed even though her assassin face was long gone. “And I’m not done with you.”

I grinned. “I certainly hope not.”

Beth held up her palm to the camera, her bottom lip curving up just the slightest to let me know we were totally good. “Stop flirting, please.”

“You can flirt with me,” Holly said, scooting closer to the camera.

“Hey!” Beth said. “Knock it off or I’ll tell Josh.”

Holly laughed. “Josh knows I’m a big Rocco Romano fan.”

“Thank you,” I said. “Now, if we could just get your best friend to come around. Beth has made it very clear she is not a fan. She won’t even watch my movies.”