Chick with a Charm by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page B

day.”
    “I’m sure Lily brings her later.” Griffin discovered he was happy about that. The guy in jeans might appeal to Lily, and Griffin didn’t want them bonding over their dogs.
    He didn’t want Lily bonding with anyone, come to think of it, other than him. He wasn’t sure what he and Lily were to each other, but when he thought of another man showing interest, he felt like growling. Funny; he wasn’t ordinarily the jealous type.
    “I hope she takes to Max,” the guy said. “The cocker spaniel doesn’t want to play, and Max loves to run.”
    “So does Daisy.” He remembered the thrill of chasing around the park with her last night. She’d seemed to read his mind, which was crazy, but he hadn’t been able to shake the idea, especially after he’d executed his airplane maneuver with the thought that if she leaped over him it would be very cool. Then she’d leaped.
    “Will you look at that?” The guy stood, hands thrust in his jeans pockets, as Daisy led Max over to the cocker spaniel. “It’s almost as if she’s introducing them.”
    “It is. But I’m sure we’re assigning motives that aren’t there.” In his line of work, he saw that all the time. It was one of the principle reasons for divorce.
    “Could be. So, are you self-employed?”
    Griffin glanced at him. “Why do you say that?” “You have the look of a professional, but you’re here on a weekday morning. I peg you as a consultant.”
    “Actually, I’m a lawyer who decided to take the day off.”
    The guy laughed. “So you could walk your girlfriend’s dog?”
    “Something like that.” Examined in the cold light of logic, his behavior made no sense. The dog didn’t need to be walked right now, and he didn’t have to spend the day with Lily. Or did he? His urge to do that was one of the strangest ones he’d had in ages.
    “All I can say is, your girlfriend has a very unusual dog. Somehow she’s coaxed Max to play with the cocker while she stands on the sidelines.”
    “As if she’s admiring her handiwork,” Griffin said.
    “I was thinking the same thing. But like you said, we’re probably assigning motives that don’t exist. She’s only a dog.”
    “That’s true, but I’d love to know her background. Lily adopted her from an animal shelter, and I have the feeling this dog was trained in ways that most aren’t.”
    “Maybe so.” The guy turned and stuck out his hand. “Mitch Adams. Semisuccessful novelist.”
    Griffin shook his hand. “Griffin Taylor. Divorce lawyer.” Now he was doubly glad Lily slept late. A novelist would pique her curiosity for sure.
    “I probably should have met you a year ago when I was going through my divorce. In any case, thanks for bringing Daisy this morning. She’s an excellent matchmaker.”
    Griffin laughed. “No problem.” Daisy had trotted over to him as if she was ready to leave. “Guess we’re outta here.”
    “Maybe I’ll see you again,” Mitch said.
    “Probably not during the week. Most of the time I really do have to work.”
    “I’m here every day,” Mitch said.
    “All righty, then. I’ll probably be around this weekend.” As he snapped Daisy’s leash onto her collar, he wondered how he could be so sure that he’d be at the dog park this weekend. Yet he knew he probably would.
    He was at a loss to explain it, but somehow, some way, he’d become hooked up with Lily Revere. That reminded him that he needed to break that date with Debbie. He definitely wouldn’t be going out with her on Saturday. He was involved with Lily, now.
     
    Lily woke and stretched, feeling the unfamiliar twinges that accompanied a night of good sex. The who and the why didn’t come to her right away. Then she remembered. Griffin. Griffin!
    She sat up and looked at the bedside clock. After ten already. Griffin must have decided to leave without waking her. That was considerate of him, but she wondered where they stood. Was he coming back? Had the spell worked the way it was