VOLUME THREE: HOLIDAY RISK* Spencer *Every once in a while, life takes a crazy, random array of events and turns them into something wonderful.Other times, she takes your life, spins you around, throws you in a new direction, and then kicks you in the balls.I've obviously pissed her off. There's no other explanation for why I'd find myself in this tiny apartment on the outskirts of small town USA, Pelican Bay. With a boss whose brain has been overrun with testosterone after finding what he considers his soulmate. Or the roommate who sees it as her life mission to eat every single thing in my apartment.The smell of fried chicken permeates the second floor hallway, and increases as I walk past the Johnson's apartment door."Boss, Tabitha will cut off your nuts and serve them to you as supper if you put a camera or GPS in her car."Ridge, the owner of Pelican Bay Security and my delusional boss, laughs at my reasonable assessment. I don't know how he's survived the grow
* Joslin *LOCAL MAN BRINGS RESCUE DOG HOME TO PELICAN BAYEight men celebrating a bachelor party in Kentucky each went home with a surprise—puppies!This past October, Kenny Jacobson and his groomsmen got together at a cabin in southern Kentucky to celebrate his upcoming nuptials. On their third morning, they noticed a stray dog outside their rented cabin."She was scrawny and shaggy-looking, but a sweetheart," said Will Perkins.Swayed by her soulful eyes, the men gave her food and water. They were soon rewarded with her wagging tail.Later that evening, Lucas Hewitt heard whining in the woods. He followed the sound to where he found six hungry pups.Their beer fund quickly turned to dog food money as the men worked to clean and care for the mother and her babies. They washed, fed, and prepared beds for them in the already-crowded cabin.But the rescue didn't stop there. When the bachelor party was finished, the groom and groomsmen all took home a puppy. Seven dogs fo
It's doubtful. I can't imagine this big guy sitting on Facebook watching a live video in anticipation of scoring a piece of clothing. It would take hours."No, it's okay." Have I said "okay" five hundred times in this conversation? I think so. Get a handle on yourself, Joslin. He may be hot, but his dog ruined a fresh pair of holiday leggings.While a piece of my legging blows in the breeze, his clothes aren't disheveled in the least. Except for his lack of a warm winter coat, he's the image of put together. My large black Columbia coat hides the upper half of my body, except for the hat and mittens I shoved in my pockets when I entered the store. Because I'm sane and wear a jacket in the winter."She's only a few months old, and all my attempts to train her have been ineffective. It's another six weeks before they start the next puppy training class, and I'm pretty sure she's going to chew me out of a house before then." He puts Frankie back on the ground but keeps a firm grip o
I'm a moron. There's something wrong with me. In my brain. For real.Sitting in my house with my cell phone in hand, I'm cute and witty and fun. Put me in live-action situations where the cute guy is standing across from me, and I make a reference to Netflix and chill. I'm aware of this fault in my DNA, but for some reason, the general population has allowed me to continue talking to people.That's why, five minutes after returning home from the pet store, I did something stupid.I texted Spencer.Because I'm a moron.I asked him over for a movie and dinner...tonight.At my place.In the back of my brain, I thought he'd be busy, and we'd plan something for next week. It would give me time to prep, pick out an outfit, work on some lines, and generally try to become less of a moron.But no. Spencer, who does not know I'm a moron, said he'd be right over.Did you catch that? He said he'd be right over.BE RIGHT OVER!As in, there will be a hot guy in my house momenta
Me hiding in my closet underneath a pile of blankets is probably not the chill part of tonight's plan.This is why I should not be allowed to text guys. I'm too reckless. I agree to stupid things."What did you decide on?" I ask hesitantly. Please no horror movies. Oh God, what if it's Cujo?"I called my sister in Texas, and she suggested this." He pulls out a DVD case from behind his back.I use a few seconds to puzzle it out because I'm pretty sure DVD cases are too big for a man's back pocket. Unless he's hiding a massive fanny pack back there, that case has been down his pants.A place I hope to one day become acquainted with. I'm way too wrapped up in thoughts of where this case has touched to give it my attention, but I sneak a peek at the cover. Looks harmless enough.A simple white background with a cute couple on the front, a big, fluffy Labrador retriever right smack dab in the middle. What could go wrong?"So what is it you do, Joslin?" Spencer asks, now starti
I've either fallen into a case of extremely bad luck or Spencer is the absolute worst at dating. Is there a test to determine if someone has bad luck? If I search the Internet long enough, I bet I'll find something. You can find everything on the Internet."I really appreciate you coming along," he says from somewhere on his side of the truck.I tilt my head back and forth to try and get a clear view of his face before I answer, but Frankie's head fills the space, so it's no use. "Of course.""This is probably not what you had in mind when I asked you for a date.""Not exactly, no." I'm willing to bet money no girl in the history of the world would have imagined this scenario.Frankie leans over and with her big, wet, prickly tongue, licks all the way up my cheek."Frankie."I wipe her slobber away with the back my hands. "How could I say no?""We'll get Frankie's shot taken care of, drop her off at home, and then you and I can have the entire night together. I just cou
"Thanks for serving me dinner." Spencer cuts off another large bite of his chicken.I shrug while looking down at my plate. It's a chicken breast with some broccoli from a frozen bag on the side. "After the lunch you made, this is no big deal."Spencer takes another bite of his chicken and moans while chewing. I've never had a man moan about my cooking before.We ate lunch in his apartment, and while it was only a sub, it was a delicious sub. All the ingredients were there: tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, cucumbers, and olives. Total perfection. One of those subs you could make at home yourself but are always too lazy."That's where you're wrong. I didn't make lunch. I pulled out what Anessa sent me home with last night.""Oh." One million thoughts run through my head as my fork stops its projections to my mouth. Have I spent the last two days hanging out with someone dating the new town baker? What about Bennett?Spencer crams another bite of chicken into his mouth like he's not
"I can't believe you work at the hospital but have never been to Spuds."The county hospital is set between the towns of Pelican Bay and Whitecap. "During a shift, there's only time for delivery. I'm always too tired after to eat at a sit-down restaurant.""Shit, I keep forgetting you finished a long shift. Are you sure you're awake enough for this meal?""I'm fine. Working tens is a standard. I've been doing it for years." His concern is cute but totally unneeded."Well, if you get too tired and want to head home, let me know.""Spencer, I'm fine." I reassure him for probably the fiftieth time tonight. I'm not going to fall over and pass out from exhaustion. Maybe I should find his persistence annoying, but it's actually nice to have someone looking after me for a change.I haven't had a night out on the town in forever—since my last boyfriend, Thatcher, and I broke up over a year ago. Dating an EMT who reported to the same hospital I did was difficult. When we both had th