by Zoe Dawson
Callie had promised herself she wouldn’t feel defensive, but Brooke’s look made her squirm. “I slept with him, so just get over it.” Her own ensemble had been chosen with the help of Harper, who simply knew what Callie liked. So the coral organza thigh-length dress with a sporty racerback neckline and a skirt of oversized rosette appliqués fit her to a tee. Thinking about how Owen liked her hair loose, Callie had actually taken the time to use a curling iron, though she’d had to borrow it from Poe.
“I told you it was going to happen,” Harper said with a smug look. “Owen is charismatic and gorgeous.” Harper was wearing a red, multi-tonal sequined dress woven with a lightning motif throughout with a red mesh jacket, the lapels red silk. Harper’s tresses were a mass of golden curls. There wasn’t a man who passed them who didn’t gape.
“He’s funny and sweet, too,” Callie said, knowing she sounded defensive again.
“Oh, she’s a goner,” Poe said taking a long drink of her martini and looking very stylish in a one-shoulder snake print dress with a loose-fitting blouson top nipped at the waist. The style of the dress revealed the raven tattoo just below her collarbone, fashioned out of the word nevermore. Poe’s long, dark blue-streaked hair was pulled into a sleek, high ponytail.
Brooke groaned. “Are you sure about this?”
“I know what I’m getting into. I think he feels something for me.” Callie hoped that her defensiveness didn’t stem from any subtle sign she got from Owen.
“You have stars in your eyes, and I thought you were past all this, Callie,” Brooke said, signaling the bartender for another round.
“It’s not the same,” she insisted. “I saw it in his eyes.” She had seen it when he’d been making love to her. She was sure of it.
“Well, if you’re really sure about this, I guess I can’t change your mind.”
She touched Brooke’s arm, and her friend’s face and eyes softened. Callie knew her friend was just being tough because she was worried about her. “Nope. I’d love for you to meet him.”
“Let’s go now,” Harper said with a mischievous smile.
“That’s an exclusive club and a tough door. The drinks are like twenty-five bucks. We can’t get in without Owen’s say-so,” Brooke said, downing a quarter of her martini.
“I’ve got a voucher he gave me, so we can get in,” Poe said.
“I don’t need no stinking voucher,” Harper laughed. “I’m a regular there and I know the doorman.”
“Of course she does,” Poe murmured and rolled her eyes. “She knows practically everyone. It’s too pricey for me.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t stay long. We’re just going to meet Owen, and I’m sure he’ll be generous with the drinks.”
“I don’t know—” Callie was cut off.
“Come on. It’ll be fun,” Harper said. Brooke looked worried and Poe resigned.
Dragging Callie along, they all climbed into Harper’s limo and directed the driver to FLASH. Callie wasn’t sure this was such a good idea, but she wanted to see Owen. Yesterday had been special. Waking up in his arms this morning had been seductive and cozy, none of that awkward morning after. They fooled around in the shower and she’d been late for work. After walking the dogs, they had found it surprisingly easy to return Jack to her loft.
The limo pulled up in front of FLASH, which turned out to be fairly close to Colton’s. She would never have been able to get in, at least not without Harper or Poe’s voucher.
The line snaked around the corner. The ornate wooden door was guarded by a very big man. His shaved head gleamed in the streetlight glow, and the closer she got to him, the larger he loomed. No one was getting inside this club who didn’t belong there. But then the doorman saw Harper and his eyes lit up. She charmed him, and he let them through. The music was loud, and the place was full, with several celebrities, plenty of models who looked too young to drink, and tons of older, sharply dressed men to escort them. At the bar, Harper yelled over a pounding beat. The bartender told them Owen was in the back. Harper led the way. When they got there, the door was ajar. Callie pushed it open with a smile on her face, but it evaporated immediately.
Owen was up against his desk. His shirt was undone and Celeste was all over him, her mouth on his.
She gasped, and her heart plummeted to her feet. No matter how much she’d prepared herself, she felt her heart break. She’d been a fool. At the sound, Owen turned his head and his eyes widened.
“Callie!”
She didn’t wait. She turned and ran through the dancers and out the front door of the club.
#
He pushed Celeste away from him and headed for the door, but a dark-haired woman with a bun stood in his path.
“You snake!”
Celeste, her voice filled with remorse spoke up. “No. He’s not a snake. I was coming on to him, and I ignored his very gentlemanly efforts to stop me. I just thought he was playing hard to get. I didn’t know about Callie. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, my God, Callie! She thinks…” Poe said, her hand going to her mouth.
“Exactly,” he said to her. Without another word, he threaded his way through the three women and dashed out of the club to the street.
He called out to Callie from the sidewalk, but she didn’t respond as she jumped into a hailed cab and it drove by.
He saw her through the window, and the tears on her face made him feel shame like he’d never felt before. “Callieeeee…” he shouted, running after the cab, but it didn’t stop.
“Quick,” the golden-haired woman said. “We can take my limo.”
#
When Callie got home, she changed out of her dress and put on sweats. To think she’d had every intention of seducing him after he got home. She clipped the leash onto Jack’s collar.
Her emotions in a shambles, her heart cracked and bleeding, she took the elevator down to the parking garage and jumped into her Jeep.
She was speeding out of the garage when she saw a limo pull up, and Owen and her three friends spilled out onto the street. With tears blinding her, she hit the gas pedal and left them behind.
#
For a moment Owen stood there and watched her drive off. He jabbed his hands through his hair, clutching it in frustration and pacing in circles. He willed himself to stay calm, but found it more of a struggle than it had ever been in his life. Sick with worry, literally nauseated, he fought to rein in the panic.
“She just needs some time alone. I’m Brooke Palmer and this is Harper Sinclair. You’ve met Poe.”
He nodded to them. “I’ve seen Harper around. Nice to meet you, finally.”
“Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”
“So am I. Do you know where she might have gone?” They shook their heads and his shoulders slumped. “If you hear from her, would you give her my cell phone number, please?” and he rattled it off. They all nodded. He didn’t even bother to go back to the club. He just headed up to his loft.
His heart heavy, he opened the door and was greeted by an exuberant Jill. He brightened a little. She still lived next door. She would have to talk to him sooner or later.
#
Callie ran up her parents' steps as the porch light came on, Jack close behind her. Just seeing her mother’s face through the glass and she burst into tears again. In seconds her mother was holding her tight. Jack paced back and forth, whining in distress for his mistress.
Her mother ushered her into the house, and all the while Callie spilled out what had happened. The sympathy in her mother’s eyes made fresh tears fall.
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry. You’re talking about Owen, the guy who has the pregnant dog? I thought you were just neighbors.”
“We were, and then it turned into something else.” She sat on the overstuffed sofa as Lila trundled up and sniffed her. Callie reached out and gave her a quick pat.
Her father popped his head in the room. “What’s wrong?”
“Callie is having man issues an
d she needs to talk to her mother.”
“Oh, okay,” he said gruffly, backing out of the room. He peeked back in briefly. “Well, if it helps, your mother made her double fudge cupcakes.”
“Let’s go in the kitchen,” her mother suggested, making shooing motions at her husband.
Callie sat at the table while her mom poured her a big glass of milk, opened up a plastic container, and put several cupcakes on a plate. She brought both over to the table and sat down. Callie wasn’t sure she could eat anything, but when the delicious chocolate fragrance hit her nose, she reached for one of the delectable goodies. Biting into the moist deliciousness, she took a quick gulp of milk.
Her mother leaned forward. “Now. You said you caught him with another woman. What happened there?”
“It was in his office at the club. We came by unexpectedly. I was so devastated I ran.”
“So you haven’t talked to him?”
“No. I couldn’t face him and my friends. I felt overwhelmed and heartbroken.”
“Do you want to stay here tonight?”
“No, I’ve got to get back. I guess I need to have a discussion with him. It just hurts, Mom. I thought we had this amazing connection. Seems I was wrong.”
“I know it looks bleak now, sweetheart, but take each day at a time.”
Callie nodded and reached for another cupcake.
Two hours later, she let herself back into her loft. She had just set down her keys when she heard a terrible pounding at her door.
When she opened it, it was Owen. His eyes were frantic. He grabbed her upper arms. “Jill is having her puppies.”
“What? No! It’s too early.”
“Only by a week. Please help her. She looks like she’s having a hard time.”
Without hesitation she headed towards Owen’s loft. Jack whimpered when she closed him into her loft. “Sorry, buddy, but you’ll just get in the way.”
Callie walked up to Jill’s whelping box, where the poor thing was panting and whimpering. Kneeling down inside, she said softly, “How’s my pretty girl?”
The dog looked up at her with pain-filled eyes and whimpered again. Callie gently put her hand on Jill’s stomach. Owen hovered over her.
“Owen, go boil water.”
“Water,” he said dumbfounded, not taking his eyes off Jill.
“Yes, water. Now! We need hot water and some rags. Give me your cell.”
After handing her the phone, he disappeared into the kitchen. Callie dialed Poe’s number. Her sleepy voice answered.
“I need your help. Jill is whelping and she’s in distress.”
“I’m on my way.”
Owen came back into the room and paced. Callie let him. She tried to put her feelings aside for the sake of the dog. But she couldn’t help caring about Owen.
“Please help her, Callie. I can’t lose her. I love that dog.”
Callie’s heart twisted in her chest and she rose and put her arms around him. “I’ll do everything I can. Poe is on her way. Everything will be fine. First time births can be difficult.”
He pulled her tight against him and said, “Callie—”
The knock at the door cut him off. “That’s Poe.” Callie raced to the door and pulled it open. Poe, still in her pajamas burst in. “Did you start water?”
“Done.” Just then the kettle started to whistle. Owen left the room.
“Keep the water coming,” Callie called after him.
Poe pushed up her sleeves and quickly and quietly examined the dog. Her face was concerned, but not overly so. Callie was already relieved, because she knew Poe was too expressive to hide it if she was really worried.
“We were worried about you. Are you okay?” Poe whispered.
“Yes. I was caught off-guard. Now Brooke can say she told me so.”
“I’m not so sure about that. Owen was completely upset by the whole—” Poe stopped talking and said, “She’s having contractions, and I think she might need a little bit of help. Could you talk to her and hold her head?”
Callie got into position as Owen brought in a big bowl of water and some old towels. He set it down within Poe’s reach and stepped back, watching them.
Poe dislodged the first puppy and as soon as she did, it began to yip. Poe smiled and said, “A feisty little guy. Owen, clean him off with the water and set him near Jill. She’ll be worried if he’s out of her sight, so stay close.”
He took the wriggling little dark wet bundle of fur and ears and did as he was instructed. Callie met his eyes and the wonder in them was touching. He smiled and held the puppy close to Jill. “Look, Jill, you’re a mom.”
Poe was pulling out another puppy; this one was black and white—a mantle like Jill with a tiny black nose and paw pads. “It’s another male.” Owen set down the first male and took the latest puppy from Poe. Callie stroked Jill’s head and murmured to her. “Good job. Two so far.”
Over the next fifteen minutes, Poe delivered a merle black and white patterned male, two more black and white puppies, one a male and one a female, and a merle female. Poe felt her stomach and frowned. “I think there’s one more.”
When Callie saw the tiny Harlequin emerge, she smiled, but it soon faded as Poe looked down at it.
“Callie…” she trailed off.
“No,” Callie said softly, reaching out. She took the still puppy into her hands and gently massaged. “Come on. You can do it.” Her voice was clogged with tears.
The puppy gave a jerk and then started yipping. Relief swept through her. “Oh, thank God.”
Poe sat back and grinned, taking the puppy from Callie and checking its sex. “It’s a female.”
Owen reached out and grasped her forearm. “Thank you for coming. Thank you so much!”
Poe nodded and patted his hand absently. “Let’s get them to nurse, and then everything should be fine. I want to make sure the little Harlequin is okay and is nursing well before I leave.”
All the puppies latched on and began drinking. Jill recovered from her labor and started licking them. At first the little Harlequin had a tough time with it, but once Poe expelled some of the milk, she latched on and started sucking.
“She looks okay, all pink and white and black. Keep them warm and let Jill take care of them. I see that you have a very nice cozy whelping box.” Poe dislodged a blanket and she peered beneath it. “Callie, isn’t that your Judith Leiber clutch?”
“It is? Do you suppose that’s the pillow and quilt from the two other tenants?”
“Yup, and looks like there’s the dinosaur quilt you told me about, Callie. Owen, apparently your dog can open doors,” Poe said. “Clever girl.”
Owen shook his head. “Jill was the thief?”
Poe rose and went to clean up. When she came back, she gave Owen instructions. “Now you guys are free to talk. I do think you have more than puppies to discuss.” She squeezed Callie’s shoulder. “Call me if you need me.”
Callie nodded. She hadn’t moved from Jill’s head. When the door closed behind Poe, Owen turned towards her.
“Callie,” he stepped forward, and the utter agony on his face made her heart soften. “I don’t want Celeste. But she’s a good business manager, so I was trying to let her down gently when you showed up. I would have never hurt you like that.”
Callie rose and walked over to him. “I thought—”
“No! Maybe I do have a reputation with women, but what we experienced was extraordinary. I would never do anything to jeopardize it. I care—”
She cut him off this time with a hard, fast kiss. Which led to another longer, slower kiss. “I’m sorry I overreacted, but I feel exactly the same about you.”
He took her into his arms. “Well, then we have a dilemma, or actually two.”
“Oh, and they are?”
“First, love me, love my dog. And we both know she’s a wanton hussy who gets into trouble when you least expect it.”
“Well, with Jack in the picture, I would say tha
t guarantees there will be more puppies in the future.”
“Promise me the births will be easier. Although the fact that you have a vet on call makes that a little easier to handle. And, as long as your parents take the litters, that will be fine with me. In fact, could your parents take this litter? I don’t know what I was thinking. All these Danes in this loft would make it very crowded.”
“I promise. As soon as they can be moved. And what’s your second dilemma?”
“I don’t want you across the hall. I want you here, with me.”
“Is that so?”
He nodded and kissed her again.
She smiled then. “Well, isn’t it handy then that my brother had already developed a plan for knocking through that wall over there and making this loft and my loft into one?”
“This sounds like an even better plan.” He traced his fingers down along her nose, and across her lips. It made her sigh and tingle all at the same time. “We’ll need the space for three Great Danes.”
“Three?”
“Yes, I saw the way you looked at that little Harlequin. It was love at first sight. I bet you even have a name for her.”
“I do, Mr. Smarty.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Golden Diamond Girl’s Miracle.”
“Nice. And her call name?”
“I was thinking Tilly.”
He blinked rapidly and she watched as he struggled with his emotions. Finally, he nodded. “That’s freaking perfect.”
She laughed as he scooped her up and carried her out of the living room, then thrilled at the rascally bad-boy grin on his face as he opened the door with his hip.
“You know we have responsibilities now,” he said before tossing her lightly onto the bed and landing next to her. He swiftly divested them both of their clothes, took care of protection, and pulled her under him, as they grinned at each other like a couple of silly, out-of-control, lovesick loons or…dogs.
