Page 36 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

He holds one of his hands out for Cash to sniff, while his other gently squeezes Hadley’s shoulder. She gives him a small smile.

“This is Cash,” Evelyn says. He presses his head against the wall of the kennel, trying to get closer to her.

Hadley’s voice comes out in a conspiratorial whisper. “Don’t tell the other animals, but he’s my favorite.”

“Why don’t you adopt him then?” Brooks asks.

She looks at him over her shoulder, her eyes sad. “I can’t bring a dog to my mom’s right now.” She cringes. “I just can’t.”

Brooks nods, understanding that a dog, especially a young one, being around her mom right now could be dangerous.

“Maybe he’ll still be here when you get your own place,” I say, realizing I don’t know what she’s planning on doing after her mom’s surgery.

I know she doesn’t have a job or a man to go back to in New York, but does she still want to live there? Does she want to build a life for herself here?

Why would a girl like her stay here? For what? Me? Conrad? Brooks? All of us?

I shake my head, not wanting to listen to my own depressing thoughts anymore.

“Maybe,” she says with a shrug.

Evelyn, being the emotionally intelligent kid she is, senses Hadley’s mood and wraps her in a hug.

“It’s okay,” she tells her. Hadley welcomes the hug, holding her close. “Come have dinner at our house tonight.”

“Oh, I don’t want to impose, honey. I’m sure you all have plans with your family.”

“We were just going to make spaghetti,” Conrad tells her.

“Please,” Evelyn pleads with her.

Hadley looks at Brooks and then at me. “As long as you’re all okay with it, I’ll come.”

“Yeah, you will,” Brooks says from beside me. I smack his chest, while Hadley gives him a ‘not the time or place’ look.

Now I can’t seem to get the thought of all the ways I would love to make her come out of my damn head.

“I just need to close everything up for the night, then I can meet you guys there,” she says.

Evelyn gives Cash a kiss before skipping to the front of the building.

I guess Hadley’s coming to our house for dinner.Perfect timing with all of these fantasies of making her scream in pleasure flashing through my mind.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Brooks

The doorbell ringinghas Evelyn darting off the stool where she’s standing beside me at the island in the kitchen.

“I got it,” she shouts, sprinting to the door before any of us can attempt to get there first.

From my spot in the kitchen, I can see Hadley the moment Evelyn swings open the door.

She’s now wearing a white T-shirt and jeans with expertly placed holes that make me want to see all of her that’s hidden beneath the denim. Her hair is pulled up into a messy bun with loose pieces hanging around her face.

The two girls talk excitedly until they reach the kitchen. “Hey,” Hadley says, locking eyes with me across the large island.

“Hey,” I say, grabbing a bell pepper to chop up next for our salad. “Are you going to help me, or do I need to find a new sous chef?” I ask Evelyn.