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.
“He just moved here and we struck up a conversation over the dogs.”
Of course. Not very creative as a pickup vehicle either. “He’s single,” Cam said.
“He’d better be.” She smiled sweetly. “He just asked me to dinner.”
Cam frowned so strongly he felt a headache coming on. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. He was…on the prowl.”
“On the prowl?” She laughed. Laughed. “That sounds like something my grandma would say.”
“You know what I mean.” Did he really need to explain? “He was doing this thing with his eyes, like nodding his head and pretending to be interested, then sneaking a peek.” He moved his brows up and down to demonstrate.
“A peek at what?” she asked.
Cam dropped his gaze to her breasts. And oh, wow, she did have lovely curves. His inner self groaned.
“Quit staring at my boobs!”
He shook his head. “I wasn’t. I…I mean, I was demonstrating.” Geez. How had this taken a turn?
“Well, your mind is in the gutter.” She smoothed down the front of her dress. “And anyway, my dress isn’t revealing at all. I could wear this to church and Gran would be pleased.”
“Yeah, but you look…you look…” Apparently, lust had made him dumb.
She crossed her arms. “I look what?”
He was sweating. What was wrong with him?
She smiled. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Look. I…I just want to say I never meant for us to be on opposite sides like this. And what you’re doing with these dogs…it’s a great idea.” What else could he say? That Fuller-the-vet was too smooth and he didn’t like it one bit? He had no right. “And one more thing. I hope…I hope that however this turns out, we can be friends.”
Friends. What a load of baloney. He could never be friends with her when all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her, pull her close, and get lost in the sweet softness of her. He swallowed hard, trying to get a grip.
“For what it’s worth,” she said, “I’m sorry we’re fighting. That we’re enemies in this.” Her gaze snagged and caught his. She looked honest and sincere, her usual MO, but there was a guardedness about her.
He’d told her that kiss hadn’t mattered.
It had mattered. He’d felt it down to his marrow. Yet he’d pretended it hadn’t meant anything. That she didn’t mean anything.
“I could never be your enemy,” he said quietly.
Their gazes locked again, and something passed between them. Something he could not define. Sadness, longing, chemistry…parts of all three.
“Listen, Hadley—”
Before he could speak, a family with two young children walked up. “Excuse me, can we ask you about this white one?” the mom asked.
Cam’s stomach churned in an ominous way—he didn’t know why—because Jagger could use a good family to love and cherish him. When he watched the kids petting him, he felt his heart twist. He’d grown fond of the mutt. Saying goodbye would be…awful.
“What kind of dog is that?” the mom asked.
Hadley smiled and waved to the kids, including a little guy, maybe one year old, in the dad’s arms. “We believe Jagger is mostly Labradoodle,” she explained. “We found him underweight and missing an eye. He’s precious.”
“He’s awfully tall,” the dad said. “He almost looks like a deer with those skinny legs.”
Cam bit his lip to stop from saying something to discourage them from the dog. Jagger deserved better. “He’s a great dog,” he managed, suddenly needing to clear his throat.
Someone called his name from the main thoroughfare next to the booths. A dad with two young sons. “Cam? Hey, would you do us the honor of your autograph?” At his side, the boys looked at him with that starry-eyed excitement that he’d always loved but that now ripped out his heart a little.
How long would it last? A couple more years maybe?
“Of course,” Cam said, pulling out the permanent marker he kept in his pocket, ready to go.
* * *
“Cam sure looks adorable standing across the way in that red checkered apron,” Gran said later that day as she sat next to Hadley, helping pass out information and giving families doggie advice.
Hadley checked her watch. “Did you say Paul is coming to get you after he finishes his shift at his booth? Because I’d say it was definitely time.”
“Don’t get smart with me,” Gran warned. “I’m allowed to think Cam is cute no matter what you think.”
Sadly, she was right. Across the way, Cam was standing in front of his booth wearing that ridiculous apron, still somehow managing to look super hot.
“What on earth is he passing out?” Gran asked, following her gaze. There was a large crowd gathered, a line snaking down the grassy main aisle of the festival clear down to where the food trucks were parked. All the volunteers in the pie booth next door, mostly senior citizens, were watching in fascination. People were holding up their phones, shooting pics of Cam, who was smiling and glad-handing and passing out something on a tray. Lucy came around the back of the booth with more trays and handed them to Nick, who was also helping. Even Mr. Cammareri, in his own black apron, was passing out craft beer samples.
“We’re doomed,” Hadley said. “He’s got his entire family and half the town over there. And the answer to your question is, homemade pretzel balls. Lucy baked them and created the cheese sauce recipe. Everyone’s raving about them.”
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Gran’s lips turned up in a bemused smile. “Go over there and get us some.”
“I can’t. It would be like I’m selling out for pretzel balls.” Her stomach suddenly chose to rumble audibly.
Gran narrowed her eyes down over her glasses. “Are you saying your pride won’t allow you to ask Cam for a pretzel ball?”
Hadley made a face. “Well, if you put it in those terms, yes.” She tried not to look but Cam’s low, rumbly laugh drifted across the way as he posed for photos, shook hands, and gave away endless samples.
“Hi, Mrs. Edwards.” Kit approached with Ollie in her arms, who was busy getting blue cotton candy all over his face and in his hair. And on Kit’s shirt. “Hey,” she said to Hadley as Ollie reached over to give her a big blue kiss. “Why are you fanning yourself?” Her gaze drifted across the aisle. “Oh my goodness. Never mind, I get it.”
“Kit,” Hadley said, “I promise to babysit next Friday if you go and get us a couple of Cam’s pretzel balls.”
“Babysitting for pretzel balls?” She took about a second to think. “Deal. I’ll make Ollie ask.” They headed off in the direction of Cam’s booth.
“She’s a true friend,” Gran said. After watching Hadley stroke a little chihuahua mix who somehow ended up in her lap, Gran added, “I’m amazed at how many you’ve taken in over the past two weeks.”
Hadley looked up and smiled. Because how could she not when the little dog had just fallen fast asleep.
“Mimi’s daughter and her husband are taking this one,” Hadley said.
“Mimi as in Mimi’s Bakery?” Gran was sitting in a sturdy chair that Hadley’s dad had brought for her, positioned between Hadley’s booth and the dogs, her right leg stretched out on a footstool. The dogs were in reach for her to pet, and her cane was propped up nearby. She wore a wildly flowered dress and bright pink sneakers, both definite signs that she was getting back on her game.
“Yep,” Hadley said proudly. “That’s two dogs so far today.”
“Hadley, that’s wonderful.” Gran patted her on the arm.
Jagger put his chin on top of the pet playpen near Hadley, just to check in. “There’s a young family who might be interested in him too.” She stroked his now-silky fur. “I’ve never met such a sweet dog. He’s really chill and he gets along with everyone. Whoever gets him is going to be lucky.”
Gran raised a pointed brow. “Sounds like somebody’s going back to LA with you.”
Hadley shook her head. “Can you imagine? He’s big as a pony. Kind of looks like one too. He needs more room than I have.”
Her grandmother just shrugged and looked at her with her signature stop BS’ing look she’d known all her life.
“Seriously, Gran. That dog? In the city?” The look didn’t soften. “Just go ahead and say whatever it is you want to say, since I know you’re going to anyway.”
Gran crossed her arms, another sign she was in for it. “It’s obvious to me Darla’s ring has given you no pause to think out of the box in the slightest.”
Okay, she was going to look up Paul’s cell and text him STAT.
“Just because I can’t take Jagger back to LA doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking out of the box,” Hadley protested. “I have plenty of ideas about a rescue. Being downtown brings in a ton of people off the streets who stop in from shopping. And did you know some pet rescues in communities like ours offer beachgoers the opportunity to take dogs to the beach for a few hours? Isn’t that cool? It gives people a chance to get to know the animals. So many creative ideas out there.”
“Well, you’re a very creative person.” Gran patted her knee. After a considerable pause, she asked, “Have you given more thought to pursuing these ideas?”
Hadley shifted the dog on her lap. “The problem is, there’s a difference between doing something that brings you joy and earning a living.”
“You sound like your father,” Gran said. “I love the man but he’s always been a tad too practical for my tastes. No one declared you had to be miserable in your job.”
“I mean, I have an important job, Gran. It pays a lot of money. It’s very stressful.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Yes?”
“Yes with a question mark?” Gran made a noise that sounded a lot like a raspberry. “What on earth does that mean?”
“I mean, it’s work, Grandma.” Hadley almost never called Gran that, except when she was irritated. “Work is about financial stability and achieving something and hopefully making the world a better place. Happiness in work is a luxury few people really achieve.”
“You’re absolutely right. However, I prefer to believe work is the way we lovingly contribute to the world. And what we do joyfully, we do well. But I certainly would never put pressure on you to change your life. It’s yours to decide how to spend.” Her grandmother wasn’t going to make this easy. “You sound like you’ve decided what you want.”
“Not really. I’ve sort of been waiting for you to tell me what it is you really want when you’re feeling well and not pressured about doing what other people think you should.”
Her grandma beamed. “I know you want the best for me.” Her eyes were actually misting over. “Because you’re not rushing me to decide.”
“Gran, are you crying?”
She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue. “When you get older, people want to take responsibility away from you because they think that’s what’s best. I can’t tell you how wonderful it feels to have someone treat me like an adult.”
“I just know how much you love the dogs.”
“You love them, too, don’t you?”
“Yes,” Hadley said. “Of course.”
“Well, I hope you understand when I tell you that as much as I love them, I’m ready to start a new chapter in my life that’s about more than just working.”
Wait. What? “Gran, are you…have you decided to retire?”
Her grandmother sighed. “This little fall of mine was a bit of a wake-up call. It made me think about the things I want to do that I’ve never done. Like travel. Sleep in. Binge-watch TV shows. Sit out in my garden at noon and watch the sun sparkle on the water. Spend time with my great-grandchildren.”
“You don’t have great-grandchildren.”
“Well, I might one day. You never know.” She reached over for Hadley’s hand. “I want you to know I appreciate everything you’ve done to help me. But now you’ve got to decide where your heart is. Because I’ve got to decide what to do with my business.”
Now Hadley’s vision was blurring. “I understand.” At least, she was trying to. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around her grandmother not being inside Pooch Palace, with the dogs. With her.
“I want you to think on what you’ve started here and about what your next steps would be. I just hate the thought of you and Cam fighting. I was sort of hoping you two would find one another again.”
“Well, we’re trying to be friendly. But Cam’s not interested in a relationship. I mean, I’m not interested either,” she rushed to add. “It’s probably not a good idea to try and relive the past. Especially after our history.”
“You both needed to grow up and see the world. So you did. And miraculously, you’ve both ended up in the same place again. Now you have an opportunity to get to know each other again. That’s not reliving the past. It’s getting to know each other as adults.” She seemed to think carefully before adding, “I just want you to be happy, whether you decide to go back to California or stay. I want you to live without regrets, whatever that means for you.”
Hadley had never been more confused. She’d worked so hard to achieve success. She’d made so many sacrifices—of time, of hard work, of pouring her entire self into achieving success.
That’s what it had taken to rise to the top of her field.
To slow down her life and relocate to start a nonprofit from scratch seemed incredibly risky, even foolhardy.
That’s what her brain said. But her heart…
Her grandmother rose slowly and carefully and stretched. “I think I’ll go try some ice cream.” She glanced across the grassy aisle to where Paul was passing out treats. “While you sit here and stare at Tony.”
“Gran!”
“Yes?”
“That’s unfair. I’m not staring at him. I’m just…hungry. For…um…pretzel balls.” Right.
“Oh, okay. But just to let you know, he’s been staring at you, too, when you’re not looking.”
Kit returned, Ollie in one arm, a plate of pretzel balls in the other. “Here you go, everybody.” She held the plate out so everyone could take one. “I’m going to have such a great night out next week. This was totally worth it.”
“Ha-ha,” Hadley said.
“This is excellent,” Gran said.
“Mommy, I want one.” Ollie reached out his hand.
“I think you’ve had enough junk food for today, Oliver Wendell.”
“Please.” He clapped his little hands together. “Just a teeny one. Okay, Mommy?”
“Just one,” Kit said.
They all ate while silently watching Cam commandeer the crowd. He shook hands. He autographed old programs, baseball caps, and even a football.
“If he signs that woman’s boobs, I’m leaving,” Mayellen said as she joined them.
Kit’s eyes went wide. “Do women ask him to do that?”
“I’m sure they do.” Hadley tried to look away. She recognized the woman in question as someone from high school, Mabel Martin, who’d always had a crush on Cam. Hadley hadn’t seen her since shortly after Hadley’s breakup with Cam. Mabel had wasted no time telling her that she and Cam had slept together. The memory still made Hadley wince.
Just then, Cam looked over and waved. They all waved back. Except Hadley, who was still a little stunned.
“I knew he was too classy to sign those boobs,” Mayellen said. “He’s still our Cam.”
“He’s drawing a crowd and they all love him,” Gran said.
“But didn’t you say you found homes for two dogs?” Kit asked. “You’re doing well too.”
“It’s not enough,” Hadley said. “Can’t we give something away for free?”
“Like a dog?” Kit asked. “You’re already doing that.”
“I want a dog.” Ollie put his hands on Kit’s cheeks to get her attention, getting blue cotton candy all over her face. “Please, Mommy! Get us a doggie.”
“Rex is our doggie. We don’t need two.” She grabbed the plate from Hadley. “Have another pretzel ball.”
“Nice,” Hadley said, catching Kit’s eye.
Cam’s dad walked up with a ginormous platter of pretzel balls. “Hello, ladies,” he said, handing the platter to Mayellen. “Compliments of our chef, Lucy.”
“More pretzel balls and a babysitter,” Kit said, scoring one. “Thanks, Mr. C.”
“Maddy, you’re looking amazing,” Mr. Cammareri said. He smiled at Hadley. “How are you doing, sweetheart? I heard you’re finding homes for those dogs.”
“Two so far today,” she said. She used to be a fixture around the Cammareri house, and she’d always thought the world of Cam’s dad.
“I just wanted to say hi. And to tell you that my son is strong-willed because of our Italian heritage. But underneath that he’s soft as a baby’s bottom.”
Hadley laughed. Mostly at what Cam would have thought if he’d heard that.
“You should have one, May.” He flashed a smile that looked almost as charming as his son’s.
“It’s not good for my figure.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I’m always trying to lose five pounds.”
“Oh,” he deadpanned. “I was just going to say I thought you needed to gain five pounds.”
Mayellen laughed and waved him off. “Bless your heart.”
“I better get back. Nice to see you, honey,” he said to Hadley. He gave a nod in Mayellen’s direction. “May, wonderful to see you too.”
“Thanks for the pretzel balls, Mr. C,” Hadley said as he waved and made his way back across the aisle. Hmm. Interesting. “Mayellen, is there anything going on between you and—”
“Hush, not a thing,” she said hurriedly, suddenly very interested in selecting a pretzel ball.
“You’re blushing,” Gran said pointedly.
“I am not,” she said adamantly. “It’s just the heat.” Suddenly she pointed across the way. “Will you take a look at that.”
Sure enough, there was Cam, chatting up Mayor Chaudhry, surrounded by all six members of the town council, all of whom were eating pretzel balls and drinking craft beer.
Frustration rolled through Hadley. They’d agreed to play fair. But this…
The mayor would campaign hard for something like a restaurant that brought a lot of business downtown, hands down. Plus Gran had said the mayor, while polite, might still be a little miffed about Gran almost losing her dog.
She had to do something.
“That does it,” Hadley said. “I’m going over there.”