Page 46 of Radar

He bypassed any plaid flannel cosplay and wore a rust-colored Henley with an unzipped brown fleece. The Henley looked like it had been around long enough that it was probablybuttery soft from all the washings. It was exactly the kind of thing that she loved to sleep in.

Yes, he wore reasonable clothes for an Alaskan lodge.

They looked expensive but not over-the-top. Upper-middle price range because he invested in quality and was not concerned with labels, but more about long-term functionality. Reasonable colors, not bright, not camo. Just an everyday guy-giant with an absolutely beautiful dog.

Blendable.

Forgettable.

Well, his body wasn’t exactly forgettable, she’d admit. He hit the gym, but not in a gym-bro kind of way that she hated. He was doing something to build functional muscles. Handball. Tennis? No. Lacrosse came to mind. Violent enough, aggressive enough.

Yes, he was too developed—what she could see of him and what she could imagine—not to play some kind of competitive sport. Elyssa pursed her lips together as she contemplated him.

“He is a good-looking guy,” Eddie said, leaning in.

Elyssa startled. “What?”

“That guy with the dog? And I agree, he wears those pants just right around his hips and thighs.”

“Eddie, stop!” Elyssa hissed, shooting a glance toward Paca and feeling relief that he had his attention fixed on texting.

“It wasn’t me staring at his package with those ‘let me unwrap it’ vibes.” Eddie’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I wasn’t!”

“Weren’t you?’ Eddie raised his brows. “Okay. My bad. From my angle, it looked like you were interested.”

“I’m horrified,” Elyssa whispered. “How long was I looking like that?”

“Long enough, girlfriend. I’m surprised he didn’t wander over and say, ‘I’m game. Let’s go play.’ He must be verydedicated to someone back home. A lesser man would have pounced.”

“I might not be his gender of choice.” Elyssa forced herself not to look back over at the guy.

“Oh, sweetheart, that man is a hundred percent not gay.”

“Okay. I’m not his type.”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “You’re everyone’s type. You tick all the boxes. Nope. He’s got to be married and very dedicated. It’s the only thing that makes sense right now.”

“He does have a good-looking dog.” Elyssa, losing the battle with herself, glanced over her shoulder. “Beautiful.” And she kind of got stuck there, taking in the picture. Giant sprawled on the leather couch, book in hand, dog curled at his feet, roaring fire to the side. She breathed in and let out a heavy sigh.

“Mm hmm.” Eddie leaned in a little farther. “You’re still staring.”

“Lost in thought,” she countered.

“You’re drooling.”

She rounded on him, swiping at her mouth. “I am not.”

Eddie laughed. “Be brave. Invite him for a drink or some dessert,” he gave his brows a double flick.

“Do you think?” Actually, a little dessert would feel very satisfying.

“Why not?” Eddie turned as Paca slapped a hand on his shoulder.

“That guy that just pulled up?” Paca pointed toward the window. “That’s Dan. You need to meet him,” Paca said, swinging his parka on.

Eddie stood and reached for his coat while Elyssa poured electrolytes into the glass the bartended set in front of her, then gave it a swirl. “I’ll wait for you two in here. The cold is too hard on me.”