Taking Chances (The Chances and Choices Duology - Book 1 of 2 - Contemporary Romance) Read Free

Joe’s.

 
    Buster, one of Courtney’s strays that she was
constantly taking in, shifted his head along the floor to watch me go. I told
myself that it would be a much better workout without him, but the spotted basset
hound had such sweet, sad eyes that I couldn’t resist him.

 
    “Do you want to go?” ‘Go’ must have been the
magic word because he thumped his tail twice and started to maneuver his squat
little legs in an attempt to gain enough traction to stand up on the hardwood
floor. It was such an operation that I was tempted to go help him, but instead
I grabbed the leash and waited for him to join me at the door. Looking at his
pudgy little body, I decided that a lack of food was definitely not the problem
from Buster’s life before Courtney rescued him.

 
    I set my iPod to play “Brown Eyed Girl,” which
was the song my Dad used to sing to me. As I walked, I relished the memory of
him using a toothbrush for a microphone as he serenaded me. Buster and I made
our way to the park at Buster’s pace. I found that I liked being forced to slow
down a little. It felt like I was always rushing somewhere, even though I
didn’t know why I was hurrying. Habit, I guess.

 
    Almost everyone we passed smiled at Buster. I
could see why Courtney had fallen for him so quickly and taken him in. He was
cute in a droopy kind of way. Unlike that awful yellow cat, Tabitha, who
skittered off or had a hissing fit any time I came
near. I think Courtney believed, at first, that I was mean to Tab behind her
back. Now that we had become so close, Courtney knew that I would never
intentionally harm an animal. That cat just didn’t like me for some reason. She
probably just wanted Court all to herself.

 
    As Buster and I walked along, I lifted my face
to the sun and enjoyed the light breeze off the water. It was a truly glorious
day. I heard him before I saw him. “Buddy, come!” he yelled. Just then a big,
golden retriever barreled towards him with an orange Frisbee in its mouth. I
was walking up behind them, so couldn’t see if he was a ‘cute guy’ but his
broad shoulders and great ass suggested that he probably was.

 
    When the dog reached him and he bent down to
lovingly ruffle its ears as he took the Frisbee, I made a snap decision to say
“Hi” to him. It was completely out of character and to-the-moon-and-back out of
my comfort zone to walk up and speak to a stranger. I kept reminding myself that
it was only one word as I forced myself to walk towards him.

 
    When Buster and I got to within a few feet of
him, his dog gave a quick “Woof!” in greeting. He turned, and I was met with
one of the most gorgeous men I had ever laid eyes on. His dark hair was just a
smidge too long, and he used an elegant hand to swoop it back off his forehead.
And those eyes – they were the most amazing green eyes I’d ever seen.
They may not have been the eyes from my naughty dream, but they were fantastic
and draped by long, dark lashes that most women couldn’t dream of having, even
with the help of mascara. He took my breath away.

 
    I felt completely tongue-tied, and we were too
close for me to just walk away like I hadn’t intended to speak to him. “ Ummm ,” I stalled. Jeez!
What is wrong with me? My breath was coming fast and I could feel my face
flushing. I had to do something. After what seemed like an eternity, but was
probably only a few seconds, I finally got the word out. “Hi,” I mumbled,
crossing my arms awkwardly and intending to make a quick exit.

 
    “Hi!” he responded and flashed me with a grin
that just about bowled me over. He was way out of my league, and I just wanted
to get away from him before I embarrassed myself further. Of course, Buster
chose that moment to plop his butt on the ground and sit for a spell. I coaxed
him with a “Come on Buster, lets go get a treat!” I whistled and tugged at him,
but the damn dog refused to budge.

 
    Handsome man and his happy,