“Is that right?” That got her head spinning. So did Cam, who was making yet another pass. This time he waved. And she ignored him again.
“Anyway, I’d love to drop back later and talk some more.”
“Oh, that would be great.” She was excited to hear more. Vet help, grants, important service for the community. All affirming words. “Thanks.”
“Maybe you can even take a break.” He held out his hand again. Which she took—but he didn’t let it go. “I hear the taco truck is completely rocking it.”
Now Cam was charging back. But this time he was stopped by a bunch of teenage fans.
“It’s great to meet a fellow dog lover who’s also a humanitarian.” His hand lingered even longer in hers as he broke into a nice smile. “And who’s very attractive too.”
“Oh, thanks.” She smiled back and dropped her hand. “You do know I’ve just had a massively public breakup, right?”
He shrugged. “I don’t pay much attention to Hollywood rags.” He looked her over with concern. “You doing okay?”
Just have some lingering trust issues with men. And by the way, my old high school boyfriend who kissed the bejesus out of me but then blew me off now seems to be stalking me. “It’s great to be home, thanks.”
“Well, seeing as I’m new to Seashell Harbor, I could sure use a tour guide to show me important things, like where to get a real burger sometime.”
“I’d be happy to help you with that.” She would have felt a tingle, she just knew it, if only Cam didn’t look like he was about to bust through his line of admirers and block his way downfield to tackle Fuller.
Fuller left and Hadley turned back to setting up pamphlets. Flirting with someone had been…fun. Someone she had no baggage with. Someone who hadn’t kissed her like the world was ending and then snuck away. Someone who was not Cam.
Chapter 15
Okay, who was that guy holding Hadley’s hand for a half hour? Cam had just set up his booth and had been walking over to see for himself when he’d gotten waylaid by autograph seekers.
When he’d finally signed every slip of paper, jersey, and cup lid in sight, the guy was gone. So he walked straight over to the freshly squeezed lemonade truck and bought two giant-sized drinks. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t help himself.
He found Hadley stacking pamphlets and talking to a handful of motley dogs all hanging out together in a plastic doggie playpen. “Well hello,” Hadley said as she stroked Jagger’s neck. “You are one dapper dog.” In response, Jagger’s tail twirled in delight. “Actually, you all look amazing. Today might be the day!”
“Hey,” Cam interrupted. She looked fresh and pretty in a flowered sundress, and she smelled incredible. He held out the lemonade.
“Oh, hi,” she said, a little warily, but didn’t take the drink.
“Here, I—” He nudged it toward her again. “Please take it.”
Nothing he could say would make up for lying about that kiss or blowing her off. Or make the strong ache in his chest go away.
It didn’t seem right to say Good luck today or May the best person win. After all, that’s why they were here today—to gather allies.
Instead he found himself fisting his hands, trying his best to keep from touching her. Even as he wondered if she even cared that he’d blown her off.
“Thanks,” she said, finally deciding to take his paltry peace offering.
“Hey, Jagger. What’s up, buddy?” He knew talking to the dog instead of facing her was a cowardly move. “You look…terrific.” He scratched the dog behind the ears. “He cleans up well,” he said, straightening out. “And he’s filled out some too. So today’s the day, huh?”
“Maybe some of them will get forever homes.” She tipped her head toward the gated enclosure.
He couldn’t help but grin. “Just make sure you don’t accidentally adopt Bowie out too.”
“That would be horrible.” She did her little snort-laugh thing. “Can you imagine?”
“The repercussions of selling off your grandma’s best buddy?” He laughed. “Um, no.”
Taking a sip of lemonade, she said, “You’ve spent a lot of time with Jagger too. Anything I should pass along to a potential family?”
Cam’s stomach turned. He’d always had difficulty letting go of things. And he had to admit he was getting accustomed to hanging out with Jagger.
“Well, he’s a great dog,” he said as he bent to wrestle with him. “He’s very eager to please. He loves to watch TV. Especially ESPN. And he’s pretty good about not hogging the bed.”
“ESPN, huh? With me it’s HGTV,” she mused. “He’s a complete bed hog with me. And not that I’d ever admit to feeding him people food, but he does have a passion for Havarti cheese.”
Cam straightened up, a grin spreading over his face. “Cheetos.”
She made a face. “Ew, you eat Cheetos?”
“When I’m not training.” He’d slipped for a second back into his old life. “I mean, when I wasn’t training.”
He thought he saw a flash of concern in Hadley’s eyes, but then the same guy from before approached the booth, gave him a friendly nod, and started talking to Hadley. He was definitely checking Hadley out. In all fairness, who wouldn’t be?
The hair on Cam’s neck bristled a little. The guy had stepped right in without so much as an excuse me, and essentially pushed Cam right out of the conversation, something he was definitely not used to.
“I grabbed some business cards,” the stranger said, handing her a few. “I think the vet students at Rutgers would welcome the opportunity to perform spays and neuters for you. Under a vet’s supervision, of course. But it could be a win-win for you and the dogs and the students—and cost-effective too.”
“Thanks, Fuller. I’m really excited about this.” Hadley turned to Cam and gestured. “You know my old friend Tony Cammareri, don’t you? Cam, this is Fuller Mason. He’s the new vet in town, and he’s on the faculty at Rutgers’s vet school.”
Old friends? Ugh. That chest ache was starting to feel like a downright heart attack.
The guy vigorously shook Cam’s hand. “Great to meet you. An honor. I was just telling Hadley I think we can collaborate to help the pets who are up for adoption.” He turned back to Hadley and grinned. “I’ll stop by later and we’ll talk more.”
“Great. Thanks, Fuller.” She flashed him a wide smile right back, a move that raised Cam’s hackles even more.
“In fact,” Fuller said, “maybe we should discuss it over dinner. What do you say?”
Smooth. Had he no shame? Because he was trying to pick Hadley up right in front of Cam. Did this man not fear for his life? Because he should, the way the adrenaline was pounding through Cam’s veins. He practice-flexed his pecs just in case he had to crush someone.
“Sure, that sounds like fun,” Hadley said.
It sounds like a toothache, Cam thought.
“How’d you meet him?” Cam asked after the guy had finally walked away.