Holding Out for a Hero

by Codi Gary

  “Hannah?”

  Nothing for it now. She stood up with Milo, avoiding Charge’s eager nose. “Hi, Blake. How are you?”

  “I’m good. Just brought this guy in to get neutered.” Blake pulled Charge back toward him and nodded at Milo. “Who do you have here?”

  He didn’t seem upset seeing her, just surprised. “Milo. I found him duct taped in a box this morning behind the diner, and I’m having Dr. Standen make sure he’s okay minus a little hair.”

  Now Blake’s expression was thunderous. “You were back there alone?”

  She blinked at his furious tone, shaking her head slowly. “No, I mean, I was taking out the trash, but when I saw the guy, I screamed, and Kenny came running—”

  “You don’t need to be going back there by yourself. Why didn’t Kenny take the trash out?”

  Hannah opened her mouth to answer, but Georgia, Dr. Standen’s longtime tech, walked into the lobby behind Blake and called out her name.

  “Hannah, is that you? Girl, I haven’t seen you since we put Misty to sleep four years ago. Come give me a hug.”

  Hannah obliged, her head still spinning at Blake’s reaction to her being behind the diner alone. As if he cared about her.

  “Hey, Georgia, it’s good to see you.”

  “You, too. Hey, how’re your folks?” Georgia asked.

  “They’re good.” She turned to Blake, about to apologize, but he spoke first.

  “I’ll see you later, Hannah.”

  Hannah was absolutely flabbergasted. The man almost blew a gasket because she’d taken the trash out alone and then turned around and took off before she could even properly digest it all. Was he for real?

  She should be mad at him for being so all over the place with her, but as she followed Georgia back, listening with half an ear, she couldn’t seem to stop smiling.

  Blake cared about her well-being. How could she be mad about that?

  HE SHOULDN’T HAVE lost his cool there.

  Blake watched Hannah disappear into the back with Georgia, the double doors closing behind the two women. He couldn’t fathom it. He had just been thinking about her, and then suddenly, boom, there she was, holding onto that yellow Lab puppy and looking just as good as he remembered.

  Damn it, every time he saw her, it just made it that much harder to forget her.

  “Hey, who was that? She looked familiar.” Best eyed Blake suspiciously, and he tried to appear casual, knowing Best was like a shark; if he smelled blood in the water, he would get frenzied.

  “She’s a waitress at Dale’s Diner.”

  “No, I’ve seen her somewhere . . . wait.” Best’s eyes widened, and he slapped Blake’s shoulder. “That’s the chick you saved. The one who was gushing about you on the news.”

  “Shut up.”

  “I will not, this is classic. That girl is in love with you, and you hate it.”

  “She is not in love with me.”

  And I only wished I hated the way she looked at me.

  “No, but it’s a strong like.”

  “Shut the fu—”

  “Oh, shit.” Best was watching him closely. “Are you into her?”

  “No. I’ve told you, I’m not interested in dating anyone.”

  “That girl isn’t just anyone though, is she?”

  Before he could respond, the receptionist finished helping the older man next to them and waved them forward. As Tyler paid, Blake kept checking the double doors, even as guilt gnawed at his gut. This attraction to Hannah seemed like a betrayal to Jenny, and he hated it. Hated feeling as if he was cheating on his dead wife by looking at another woman.

  “All right, all paid up. You ready to head back?” Best seemed to catch the direction of his gaze and, in a surprisingly cool way, shrugged and said, “Or we can hang out for a bit. See if her dog’s okay.”

  Blake was going to shake his head and say no, that they should get Charge back to Alpha Dog, but instead, he nodded. “Appreciate it.”

  “Well, why don’t Charge and I go grab some coffees, and I’ll be back to pick you up in about ten, fifteen minutes?”

  Blake was leery of Best’s suddenly chill attitude, but he really wanted to talk to Hannah. At least apologize for getting pissed at her about going out back alone. It was none of his business what she did or how she lived her life; he had no say in what she did or didn’t do.

  But why did she have to be so reckless with her well-being? There was no reason why Kenny couldn’t take the trash out, or at least she could grab one of the other girls to go with her. He’d thought that after having a gun pointed at her, she’d show a little more caution.

  And he really didn’t want to get into all that with her in front of Best.

  “Sounds good. Black coffee.”

  “Yeah, I know, dude. I’ve been getting your coffee for over a year.”

  Blake grinned as Best and Charge took off out the door, and he went to sit down in the corner, his foot tapping impatiently on the tile floor.

  This was insane and probably bordering on stalking. Would she even want to see him after he’d flown off the handle with her?

  Ten minutes later, when Hannah came through the double doors, the puppy snuggling his nose in the crook of her neck, his question was answered. When she caught sight of him, her eyes brightened and she smiled before turning to speak to the receptionist. With her back to him, his gaze slowly traveled over her length, his eyes lingering on the little flared yellow skirt and the way it swished above her long, curvy legs.

  Realizing she could turn around any second and catch him staring in the direction of her ass, he jerked his gaze up and caught the puppy watching him over her shoulder, a surprisingly suspicious look in its dark eyes.

  Blake laughed aloud at the absurdity, and Hannah turned, frowning.

  “What’s so funny?”

  Blake got up, moving in next to her now, and reached out toward the puppy, who actually growled and released a high-pitched bark. “Nothing, I was just thinking it was funny that we keep bumping into each other.”

  “I was thinking the same thing, although . . . It’s not so strange, if you think about it. We work in the same area, so it would make sense that we would bump into each other every now and again.”

  Blake supposed that was true, but he couldn’t help thinking that maybe Hannah kept getting thrown in his path for a reason.

  “I stuck around so I could apologize for talking to you the way I did. Most of my friends have been telling me I’m hard to be around lately, and I had no business acting as though I had the right to dictate how you live your life.”

  Hannah smiled sheepishly. “I guess I can let it slide, considering you saved me once. I can understand why you wouldn’t want to have to do it again.”

  “No, it’s not that . . . ” Blake struggled for a moment, trying to formulate his answer carefully, so that there wouldn’t be any confusion. “I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you because I like you. You’re a sweet girl, and you deserve to be safe and happy and live a long life.”

  For some reason, she almost seemed disappointed by his words, and when he started to ask what he’d said, the receptionist handed her the bill. While Hannah paid, she turned enough so he got a good look at the puppy again. His small golden muzzle looked raw with red bumps and bald patches, but other than that, he appeared to be in good health.

  Blake reached out toward him again, planning to run his hand over his shiny head, and the puppy actually bared his little white teeth at him as he snarled.

  His jaw clenched. He couldn’t really blame the little guy for not trusting him, especially if it was a man who had hurt him. What the hell was wrong with people? There were other solutions if they decided they no longer wanted their pets, but abusing them or leaving them to die a painful death was just evil.

  “It’s a good thing you found him. He looks like a Lab or a Lab cross.”

  Her hand stroked over the puppy’s back soothingly as she turned back to him, co
oing at her new pet. “I don’t care what breed he is. He’s just Milo to me.”

  Blake’s eyebrow hiked up. “Milo? Like the orange cat from that kid’s movie with the pug?”

  “Yeah, so what? I think it fits.” She took her card back from the receptionist and slipped it into her purse.

  “That was my favorite movie as a kid. I just think it’s funny.”

  She looked up at him, and he caught the slight smile playing across her lips. “It was mine, too. It’s—”

  Whatever she was about to say was cut off when Best poked his head in and nodded at Blake. “Hey, Kline, we got to go.”

  Blake really didn’t want to leave, but he was at a loss for anything else to say. “If you ever need a lesson in obedience training, there are some great classes at PetSmart.”

  “Thanks, Blake. I’ll probably do that.”

  “Great. Well, I guess I’ll see you.”

  “Why don’t I just walk out with you? I’ve got something to ask you anyway.”

  Blake’s heartbeat raced as a thousand possible scenarios played out in his mind. Was she going to ask him out? Maybe to coffee again? She did seem nervous, so that would make sense.

  “Yeah, sure. Sounds great.”

  Blake held the door for her, an unintentional curse escaping as a blast of cold air hit him.

  “Man, I was just starting to think that it was warming up a bit, and then this morning happened.”

  “Yeah, sometimes we get a little cold front moving through, but it doesn’t really last long.”

  Look at them, discussing the weather as if they were just a couple of acquaintances who had absolutely no interest in each other.

  Which was complete bullshit, at least on Blake’s end.

  He saw her shiver out of the corner of his eye and shook his head. “Why aren’t you wearing a jacket?”

  “I just forgot it in the car. I figured I was only walking ten feet, and it seemed like a lot of hassle for just a few-second walk. I didn’t expect to bump into you or find myself standing out here, incredibly nervous.”

  “Why are you nervous?” Blake waited, his stomach actually fluttering, for fuck’s sake.

  “Well, I know you’re really busy, but I was wondering if you ever teach self-defense classes?”

  Blake was blown away. That was the last thing he’d been expecting.

  Because I was hoping for something else.

  “You want to take a self-defense class? From me?”

  Her cheeks turned that pink color he’d grown to really like, and she nodded. “It’s just, the way you handled that gunman the other day . . . Since then, I’ve been jumpy, and my parents are worried, and I just thought if you could teach me a few things to put their mind at ease . . . ” She caught his gaze with her big hazel eyes, and her black lashes swooped over them several times, innocently enchanting him. “Plus, you seemed so concerned for me before, I thought you might be willing to help.”

  She paused, studying him, and he had no idea what expression was on his face, but it made her backtrack. “You know what, never mind, it was a crazy idea anyway.”

  Hannah started to turn away, but he reached out and touched her shoulder, stalling her.

  And setting the protective little shit off with a series of high yips.

  “Milo, stop.”

  The puppy settled, tiny rumbles emitting from his chest as he turned his head, keeping Blake in his sights.

  “I wasn’t going to say no. If you want me to teach you a few things, I’d be happy to.”

  Hannah’s warm smile was back, and so were the butterflies. Damn it, he hadn’t had those since high school, since . . .

  Since the first time I saw Jenny.

  Blake pushed back the rush of guilt, telling himself this was about something important. It wasn’t a date, and it wasn’t about sex or feelings. This was a necessity, to keep Hannah safe and out of trouble.

  “My best days are usually Sunday and Monday, although sometimes I pick up substitute teaching jobs on Mondays.” Hannah seemed oblivious to his sudden mood shift, thank God, and he forced a smile.

  “Good to know. I’ll figure out where I could train you and give you a call on Monday.”

  “That’s perfect. Thanks, Blake.”

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Oh, how is house hunting going?” she asked.

  “Um, no luck yet.”

  “Well, I hope you find something. We’ll talk soon.”

  “Bye, Hannah.”

  She was already walking toward her car, and this time, he was sure if the puppy had fingers instead of paws, he’d have been flipping Blake off. When Hannah opened up her passenger door and put the puppy on the front seat, he could almost swear he saw a flash of blue lace panties.

  For fuck’s sake, stop being a damn pervert!

  Turning away, he climbed up into the van and tried to avoid Best’s gaze, afraid he’d be able to tell how bad Blake was fighting a grin.

  “So, what was that about? It looked pretty friendly.”

  He glanced at Best and saw the telltale twinkle in his blue eyes.

  “It was nothing. I’m going to show her some self-defense moves. She’s still a little freaked about what happened the other day.”

  “I’ll bet those aren’t the only moves you’re gonna show her.” Best wiggled his eyebrows at him before starting the van up.

  And he’s back to his barely mature self.

  “You’re an idiot.”

  “Should we tell Bryce you’re back on the wagon?” Best asked as he backed out of the parking spot.

  “Hell no, don’t tell her anything. That girl is a monster, and the sooner the female center opens and she’s no longer all up in my business, the better.”

  “Come on, Bryce’s not so bad. She just likes attention and for everyone to like her. I can relate.”

  Blake’s jaw dropped before he recovered. “All you do is mess with people!”

  Best sent him a wink. “But I do it in a friendly, likable way.”

  “Says you.”

  Blake settled back into the seat as Best chuckled, and he realized that he was actually more excited for Monday than the Super Bowl.

  “Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Sparks says the general is insisting you go to counseling.”

  All of Blake’s good humor evaporated. “You had to bring this up when you’ve got me trapped in a car, huh?”

  “I just wanted to say that it probably isn’t the worst idea. It really helped Sparks and me. Since Carlos pulled that gun on us in November, I’ve been going to Dr. Stabler, and I don’t know, man, sometimes just having someone to bounce feelings off can really help.”

  “When did you become the poster boy for the heart-to-heart talk?” Blake knew he was being an asshole, but the last thing he wanted to talk about was his appointment on Tuesday.

  “Don’t be a douche. I know I like to pretend I never take things seriously, but it seems like since we haven’t been hanging as much anymore, you’ve been kind of . . . ”

  “Relieved?”

  “Depressed.”

  Best’s somber delivery of that single word raked over Blake like hot coals on skin. “I’m not depressed.”

  “You’re drinking more and losing your temper too often.”

  “Well, if I’m such a bummer to be around, then why do you bother?” Blake knew he sounded like a petulant child, but fuck, the last thing he needed was a lecture on what else was wrong with him.

  Best seemed to be counting under his breath for several seconds before he finally spoke again. “If you don’t want to acknowledge the fact that you are unhappy and need help, there’s nothing I can do, but if you aren’t ready to fix yourself, then I agree; you aren’t ready to date anyone.”

  Neither of them said anything else for the rest of the drive back to Alpha Dog, but Best’s words had demolished all of the light, happy feelings that seeing Hannah had elicited.

  Dick.

  Chapter Ten

  IT WAS
AFTER noon on Monday, but Hannah struggled to keep her bleary eyes open as she stared at her computer screen, scrolling through her Facebook feed idly. When her mother had told her raising a puppy was like having a newborn, Hannah had scoffed, but now, after a fitful four hours of sleep, she could easily imagine the little golden terror in diapers and a bonnet.

  She leaned down and peeked under the table where Milo had fallen across her feet in an exhausted sleep. Apparently, whining half the night, chewing on Hannah’s feet at one and three in the morning, and piddling on the kitchen floor after she’d just taken him outside had been a lot of work for him, because even when she removed one foot, he continued to snuffle.

  Hannah turned back to her computer screen and saw her friend Gretta Kent had changed her profile picture to what looked like a sonogram. When she clicked on it, sure enough, there was a whole album with the title “And Baby Makes Three.” There were several pictures of Gretta and her husband, Dave, holding a pair of white baby shoes and a sign that read ARRIVING IN JUNE.

  Wow. Gretta was a year younger than Hannah. They’d met in English class their first semester at junior college, but while Hannah had transferred to continue her education, Gretta had stopped at an associate’s degree and married Dave, her high school sweetheart. Dave was only twenty-five and already a store manager with Safeway, while Gretta sold Jamberry Nails and Younique Makeup.

  Hannah mused at how happy Gretta was and how she already had everything Hannah was now dreaming about: a house, a husband, babies. But she’d wanted to finish her degree and get her career in order before she concentrated on her personal life. Several of her friends had gotten serious when they were too young and regretted it.

  Hannah had even made a point of waiting until she was really in love, maybe even engaged, before she had sex. But most of the guys she’d dated had barely lasted a month, and of those, none of them had really gotten her motor running anyway.

  She could still remember sitting on Gretta’s couch with Megan and Courtney, listening to them talk about their boyfriends and all the things they’d done. She’d laughed along with them, but now, as she continued looking at her old friends’ walls, she realized she was the last to do everything. The last to get married, have kids, get a career-focused job . . .