see those three girls wearing bikini tops and shorts that flocked to him when he was walking around with one of the kittens?”
“Oh, please. That’s nothing new. Women have been flocking to him since birth.” Evie reached down to pet Sampson and said, “And the rotten doctor eats it up.”
“Man, you’re harsh,” Justin teased Evie, as he always did.
Evie had known Baz all his life, and she knew him as well as any of their siblings did. Baz was a good guy with a great personality, and Evie was right, women had always flocked to him. But Baz wasn’t a pig. He had his fair share of women, but he also had bigger plans for himself than a lifetime of just getting laid. But he was coy about those plans and had never clued Justin in on any of the details.
“Harsh?” Evie put her hands on her hips and said, “He’s a bigger flirt than Gunner. He just does it nonverbally.”
“All right, you’ve got me there,” he said as Baz and Gunner joined them. He’d witnessed Baz getting women’s phone numbers by doing nothing more than sharing glances across a crowded bar.
“That makes ten applications, thank you very much,” Baz said, draping an arm around Evie. “Tori said Chloe has nine. Guess that makes me the master once again.”
“The day is not over.” Chloe looked around. “Aha! I see a family that looks like they need some help. I wouldn’t get used to that master title if I were you, Dimples.” She jogged toward a family looking over the dogs.
Evie grinned and said, “I really like her, Maverick.”
“That makes two of us,” Justin said, watching Chloe dazzle another couple.
“Three of us,” Gunner chimed in. “Chloe’s hired for every event from now on. She’s killin’ it, dude. And those boards she made are getting all sorts of attention.”
“I’m sure she’d love to help out again.” Justin scratched Sampson’s head and said, “Have you guys seen Zan? I need to talk with him about something.”
“No, but I’m sure he’s coming to the Hog later.” Baz crooked his arm tighter around Evie’s neck, pulling her closer. “You’re coming with me tonight, right, Eves?”
“Yup. Tank will be there, so you know I’ll be there.” Evie loved hanging out with Tank, which drove Baz crazy. She was one of the only people who could get Tank to say more than a few words.
Baz grumbled something that Justin couldn’t hear, but whatever it was made Evie roll her eyes.
“Mav, are you and Chloe coming tonight?” Baz asked.
“Yeah. We’re having dinner with Serena and Drake, and then we’ll meet you guys in the bar.” Serena and Drake had stopped by earlier with Emery and Dean. Emery and Dean had filled out an application for one of the dogs, but Serena and Drake had passed this time around. “Gunner, I think your old lady needs you.” He nodded toward Steph, who was heading their way with Snowflake.
“Cut the shit. She’s not my old lady.” Gunner reached a hand toward Steph and said, “What’s up, babe?” Gunner and Steph had always been close, but they’d become even closer since Ashley’s suicide.
Steph handed Gunner the kitten and said, “She’s missing her daddy.”
Gunner nuzzled the kitten’s fur and said, “Did Mommy take good care of you?”
Steph rolled her eyes.
“Oh, don’t tell me…” Evie said.
Justin followed her gaze to a dozen or so twentysomething females strutting up from the parking lot wearing bathing suits and beach cover-ups.
Evie glared at Gunner. “Did you put your posters up at the beaches again?”
Gunner had made posters for the last event featuring shirtless pictures of himself holding puppies with WICKED ANIMAL RESCUE ADOPTION EVENT HOSTED BY GUNNER WICKED written across the top and PETTING ENCOURAGED written just above his knees. He’d put them up at several local beaches.
Gunner feigned innocence with a thoughtful expression and said, “Every animal needs a home. The more people that show up, the better.” He high-fived Baz and said, “Looks like you’re up, bro. Good luck.”
“Don’t you mean the more half-naked girls that show up the better for you guys?” Evie crossed her arms and said, “Maybe next time we’ll get pictures of Steph, Tori, Sid, and me in bikinis holding kittens with the caption Come Make Our Pussies Purr and we’ll put them up at beaches, gyms, and the surf shops.”
“I’m in!” Steph said, flashing a take that look at Gunner and earning a glowering stare in return.
“Over my dead body,” Baz said. At the same time, Justin and Gunner