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Sydney couldn’t remember the last time a man had cooked for her. Well, a man who didn’t own his own restaurant. Minor celebrity chefs didn’t count because cooking was what they did.

Adam was really good. He made it look easy, and she’d already learned a few things today. Funny how she thought she’d be the one doing the cooking and yet, here she was with a man who was far better at that than she could hope to be.

Not that he was her man. Not by a long shot. He still had the whole thing going on with his ex. Whatever that was. Sydney would have bet a chunk of change that his ex wanted him back.

She’d be crazy not to. He was kind of amazing. And as good as he cooked, he was a better kisser.

Just thinking about that made her warm all over. She exhaled. She needed to think about something else or she was going to start flirting in a very serious way. “What time do you leave for work?”

“A little before seven.”

“Plenty of time to put that crate together, then.”

“Yep.”

Mackie meandered over, and Sugarbelle followed, seemingly more interested in what he was doing than anything else.

Sydney shook her head. “Nope, this is people food.”

“A little steak probably wouldn’t hurt,” Adam said.

“Not on its own, but I don’t want him to get into the habit of begging. Also, it has seasonings on it, and some of those aren’t good for dogs. Not to mention, onions are really bad for dogs.”

His brows lifted. “They are?”

“Yep. Actually toxic.”

He shook his head. “I had no idea. I have a lot to learn.”

“You’ll get there. You can call or text me anytime, too. I mean, maybe not at like 3a.m. unless it’s an emergency, but you know what I mean.”

“Thanks.”

She ate the last of her stir-fry, realizing he’d already finished. She reached for his plate. “I can take these in, and then we can work on that crate.”

He took her plate instead. “You’re the guest. I’ve got it.” He stood up. “You think those two are ready to come in?”

They were standing at the bottom of the steps.

Sydney nodded. “They could probably use some water.” She patted her leg as she got to her feet. “Come on, kids. Inside.”

He headed for the house, and she followed. “At least they didn’t get dirty. I’ve started keeping an old towel by the back door to wipe Mackie’s feet with. Just in case.”

He carried the plates into the kitchen and rinsed them in the sink. “I need to get some old towels. Or some cheap new ones. I don’t have any.”

“Next time I go by the thrift shop, I’ll have a look for you, if you want. I could always use a few more myself.” Her phone vibrated. She checked the screen.

Birdie had texted. The shelter is trying to set a time for the date. Is tomorrow night at 7 okay for you? You are going, right?

Sydney exhaled. She hadn’t thought about it much. She supposed she should. Just to confess the truth of what she’d done. And she didn’t want to leave Adam hanging. She texted back, That would be fine.

Great. I’ll let them know.

Sydney put her phone away. Adam had already loaded the plates into the dishwasher. He was wiping down the counters now.

He stopped. “You have room for a slice of warm bread with butter?”

She was actually pretty full, but she couldn’t resist. “A small one.”

“We can split a piece.” He grabbed a serrated knife and one of the still-cooling loaves, slicing it on a wooden cutting board. He left the heel and sliced a second piece, then cut that one in half.

He spread butter on each piece, then handed her one. He bit into his. She did the same. The butter had already started to melt on the warm bread.

She moaned softly at how good it was. “What is it about freshly baked bread? I swear, it’s the best thing ever.”

“I know.” He finished his in two more bites. “I have some paper bags. I’ll put your loaf in one for you to take home.”

“Thanks. I’m going to start on the dog stuff.” She went out to the living room and got to work unpacking all the pet store purchases. She took the tags off the toys, then brought the bag of food into the kitchen. “Do you have a spot set up for doggy things?”

He looked at her. “I think you already know the answer to that.”

She laughed. “Where do you want her stuff? Is there a cabinet in here or the laundry room you want to use?”

“The laundry room is a good idea. I’ve barely touched those cabinets. Whichever one you pick is fine with me.”

“Okay.” She took the food into the laundry room and opened the first cabinet she came to.

There was nothing in it, so she put the food bag on the first shelf. Out of curiosity, she opened the cabinet next to it. Also empty. All four of the cabinets were. Odd, but then men didn’t usually have as much stuff as women.

But there should be something in there, right? His jug of laundry detergent sat on the dryer next to a laundry basket. That seemed to be the extent of the things in the room.

With a shrug, she went back out and grabbed the doggy shampoo, leash, and collar to put them in the cabinet as well.

Adam was unpacking the crate pieces and laying them out.

“Shampoo, food, and the extra collar and leash are going to be in the first cabinet.”

He looked up. “Thanks.” Then he looked past her. “Did those two ever come in?”

She glanced toward the yard. The door was still open, but there was no sign of the dogs. “I’ll find them.”

She added the stuff to the cabinet, then went out onto the deck. Mackie and Sugarbelle were running around the yard again. Laughing, Sydney went back to the living room. “They’re racing around the yard again.”

“I say let them. I’d love for her to be as worn out as possible.”

“Same for Mackie.” She took a seat on the floor near Adam. “All right, what’s first?”

Working together, it took them about ten minutes to assemble the crate. Sydney was impressed that Adam didn’t get mad when she accidentally attached one piece upside down.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “Wasn’t too hard after we figured out my mistake.”

“Anyone could have done that. I appreciate the help.” He got up and lifted the crate, carrying it over by the television and setting it against the wall. “You think here is okay?”

“Sure.” She brought the bed over and set it inside, then added one of the toys Adam had bought. She sat back on her heels. “Fit for a princess.”

He nodded. “I hope she thinks so, too.” He turned toward the back door. “Sugarbelle, come see your new castle.”

Neither of the dogs came in.

She pushed to her feet. “We might have to carry them in.”

He started for the door. “Let’s get them.”

Outside, they found Mackie and Sugarbelle snoozing in the shade again. Both woke up and wagged their tails as Adam and Sydney approached.

Sydney picked Mackie up as Adam lifted Sugarbelle. She kissed Mackie’s nose. “Did you have fun? I bet you’re going to sleep like a champ tonight.”

They walked the dogs in, then Sydney put Mackie down and reattached his leash. “Thanks again for lunch. And the dough-shaping lesson. I should get out of your hair.”

“Let me get your bread.” He went into the kitchen, returning with a brown paper bag. “Here you go. And you have the key I gave you?”

She took the bag as she patted the front pocket of her jeans. “I do. I’ll probably come over a little before ten. That’s about when I go to bed. If she’s fussing in the crate, I won’t put her back in it after her potty break.”

“Thanks. I really appreciate it. And everything else you helped me with today.”

“You’re welcome. It was fun.” She meant it, too.

“Yeah, it was.” He smiled.

She just hoped he remembered that when she showed up as his charity date.