Bachelor Swap - Lacey Black Page 0,48

reply, looking for a topic change. “How’s Howard?”

“He’s fine,” Debbie states, snuggling the fat cat. “He’s up to date on all of his immunizations, much to his dismay.” Debbie slips the cat into his kennel and makes sure his food and water is full. “Edith says we had three adoptions today.”

“We did,” I reply eagerly, telling the other volunteer all about the two dogs and one cat that went to their forever homes. I reach into the kennel of the Border Terrier dropped off earlier and sigh. “Hopefully we can send this young lady to a home soon too. She’s too sweet.”

“That’s the new one, right?”

“This is her.” I recall the look on the woman’s face when she brought the four-year-old dog to us this morning. The woman had been crying, swearing she did everything she could to find the dog a good home, but she was unsuccessful. Her daughter was afraid of the dog, Hattie. She tried everything to help her child overcome her fear, but it was fruitless. After six months, she exhausted all of her resources and felt rehoming the terrier was the best course of action.

“She’s a sweet pea, that’s for sure.”

“I think she’d do well with older kids and lots of room to run. She’s spunky, for sure,” I add, glancing in the kennel where Hattie rests on a blanket. “I’d take her in a heartbeat, if I had some place for her to play.”

Debbie laughs. “You’ve said that about every single animal to go through here, Ky.”

I shrug, knowing she’s right. I’ve said that, but it’s true. I’d have taken any and all in need of rescue, including Rocky, the English bulldog with a very grumpy disposition.

“Big plans tonight?”

“I’m heading over to Matthew’s for dinner.”

“Ohhhh,” she singsongs, waggling her eyebrows.

“Stop it,” I chastise with a giggle. “You’re incorrigible.”

“You did talk to him about the gala next Saturday, right?”

“I did,” I confirm with a nod. “He’s making sure he’s off work by six.”

“Good. I’d hate for you to get all dolled up and no one be there to appreciate all your hard work.”

I sit back, sticking my finger into a kennel and letting a dog nestle against it, and consider her words. I’ve worked hard on this gala, as have Debbie and Edith. But she’s right. What I’m looking forward to most is actually having someone there with me, by my side. Someone to dance with and share in my excitement as the totals from the silent auction items come in. Someone who looks amazing in a tux and knows how to wow a crowd. Yet looks at me like I’m the only one in the room.

Someone like Matthew.

***

I step inside the building and smile at the man holding the door. “Welcome, Miss Morgan. Mr. Wilder is expecting you. I’ll escort you,” he says, leading me to the elevator and calling for the car.

I take a moment to glance around, observing several men milling around, chatting. They notice me, most offering a small smile or a head nod. As we wait, someone behind me says, “Do you see the ass on that?”

I tense, waves of anxiety rolling off my escort beside me.

“I’d love to get my hands on that thing. I’d leave bite marks on her pale skin. I bet Wilder has tons of fun with that one. The quiet ones are always the wildest.”

Before I can even comprehend what’s being discussed behind me, the elevator opens, revealing Matthew. He smiles the moment he sees me standing before him, but that easy grin quickly slips from his face. “What’s wrong?” he asks, his voice firm and edgy.

“Nothing,” I gasp, trying to cover my nervousness with a quick smile.

He steps forward, studying me with a critical eye. I step onto the elevator car and wrap my arms around his waist. “Ready?” he asks, stepping back against the wall, his arm thrown over my shoulder protectively. He mumbles a quick thank-you to the man who was escorting me before the door closes, leaving us alone. “What happened back there?”

“Nothing,” I insist, a little too quickly.

He turns me and catches my eye, his gaze intense and serious. “Did one of those guys say something to you?” he asks, seeing right through me.

I shrug. “They just had a few inappropriate comments.”

He continues to study me. “About what?” he asks, his jaw tight with tension.

A blush creeps up my neck. “About…my ass.”

He seems slightly taken aback by my words, but his shock is quickly replaced by a wolfish grin. He