Obsession Falls (The Haven Brothers #1)

“I will. Thanks, Audrey.”

I ended the call and looked down at Max. “Well, now what are we going to do?”

Technically, he could stay home by himself. He’d mostly sleep all day. I’d just need to take him for a good, long walk when I got home to ensure he got enough exercise, otherwise he’d be crazy by bedtime. But he’d do better if someone could at least come check on him and take him out to pee once or twice.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it home during the day today, bud.” I had an assignment that was going to have me out of the office for a large part of the day. I couldn’t be sure I’d have time to come home and let him out.

I didn’t really have friends I could ask for this kind of favor. Sandra had to work, too, although she might be willing to drive over here to let him out on her lunch break. I didn’t trust Ledger. He’d probably be so busy scrolling on his phone, Max would run up the hill again and recreate his world’s stinkiest dog stunt from the other day. And I definitely didn’t know Marigold well enough, although I had a feeling she was the type of person who’d help without hesitation. Still, asking her would feel weird.

I glanced out the window. Josiah’s truck was already in the driveway next door. He always got to work early over there.

Not that I was watching for him every morning.

Actually, yes I was.

I kind of hated to ask, especially after he’d done so much to help me the other day when Max had gone missing. No one should have been subjected to that smell, and he’d stuck it out, even helping me give Max a hose bath in the backyard. Not to mention the way he’d carried me down the hill.

Oh my swoon.

But was it really that much to ask? He’d be right next door all day. He could pop by and let Max out to go potty once or twice and that would be plenty.

A swirl of butterflies took flight at the thought of going over there. Why was I being so silly? It was just Josiah. We were basically friends now.

Except I knew exactly what it was. That hug.

I’d fallen asleep to the memory of Josiah’s thick arms around me every night since I’d hugged him. I couldn’t get the way he’d felt out of my head. He’d smelled good too, like pine and fresh air and man. Big, burly, grumpy man.

Apparently I liked that smell because I’d been craving it ever since.

“Okay, Audrey. Time to toughen up. Yes, he’s kind of intimidating and he gives you squishy tummy feelings, but that doesn’t mean you can’t talk to him without turning red.”

Max just looked up at me, wagging his tail.

“Right. Let’s do this. Except not you. You stay here.” I pointed to his bed in front of the couch. “Go lie down.”

His ears drooped a little but he obeyed.

“You’ll be fine. I’ll be right back.”

I went next door and found the garage door open. Josiah was inside, cutting long boards on a big saw.

Instead of his usual flannel, he wore a t-shirt that showed off the size of his arms. His jeans had a big spot of sawdust on the back pockets and no, I did not notice that because I was looking at his butt.

Fine, yes I was.

I waited until he stopped cutting and the whir of the saw died down.

“Hey.”

He looked over his shoulder and the way he furrowed his brow made my stomach flip. Why was that so sexy? I didn’t understand it.

Then his features softened and the corner of his mouth twitched. On anyone else, it wouldn’t have been a smile. But on Josiah Haven, it was as bright as the sun.

He put the board down and turned to face me. “Hey. What’s up?”

Breathe, Audrey. He’s not that good-looking.

Liar.