ESME

Just when I think my life’s finally on the upswing, an angry stranger marches into my shop and demands I hand over my dog. The dog I rescued from certain death in a roadside ditch. The dog that rescued my soul, then inspired me to create Doggy Style, my new business.

Mr. Angry From the City insists my dog is his dog. He demands to take Angel back. Over my roll-over-and-play-dead body. I’d tell Dev to march his infuriating and handsome you-know-what out of my shop and never come back, except…Angel loves him. Like, can’t get enough of him, loves him. 

So I let him stay in my tiny, one-bedroom apartment, to spend time with Angel while we sort things out. That’s all it should be, only…I quickly learn why my dog loves him. He’s as sweet as he is handsome. And when I see his mostly naked body sprawled on my too-short-for-him couch, my dog isn’t the only creature in the room desperate to sit on Dev’s lap.

DEV

Somebody stole my dog six months ago. I haven’t given up searching, but my hopes dwindle with every “hey, is this is your dog?” picture my coworker flashes in my face. Until the day the apricot poodle in the picture is my dog, in a social media ad for doggy clothing. I don’t know how the pretty brunette in the photo got my dog, but I’m going to find out, then bring Angel home, where she belongs.

That’s my plan until I’m face-to-face with Esme. She’s spirited, compassionate, and loves Angel as much as I do. I won’t take her dog and I won’t give mine up. Esme thinks one of us has to lose, but every minute we’re together, the more I’m sure this isn’t a doggy custody dispute, it’s a game of hearts—and we’re both going to win.

a Hope Harbor, instalove romance