Free Puppy Love by A. Destiny and Catherine Hapka Page A

getting his constantly rotating collection of designer bags and backpacks all distended with too many books, so he insisted on shoving stuff into his locker on a daily basis. Which could make it a challenge to get anything back out at times.
    â€œDid you finish the lab write-up last night?” he asked as he shuffled through the locker.
    â€œThe what?” I wasn’t really listening. I’d been trying to figure out exactly how many minutes were left until that afternoon’s puppy class started.
    He smiled. “Ah, young love. It turns the brain to mush.” He chucked me under the chin. “Seriously though, Lauren, it’s nice to see you falling for a real-life Prince Charming for a change—especially since he happens to come with a hot accent. To be honest, the unrequited Corc thing was getting a little tired.”
    â€œDoes that mean you’re tired of him, too?” I challenged.
    He smirked. “Not a chance. But we’re talking about you, sweetie. Like I said, it’s good to see you out there. Going for it. Flirting your pretty little head off.”
    I snorted. “Flirting? Me?”
    â€œWhat do you think you were doing the other day?” Robertlifted one eyebrow knowingly. “Trust me, I recognize flirting when I see it.”
    I couldn’t argue with that. Robert was definitely a romantic at heart—much more so than I was, actually. He was all about the meaningful glance, the first kiss, the happily ever after. All those sappy chick flicks he was always dragging me to were proof enough.
    Still, I wasn’t about to admit to anything when he was looking so smug. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I told him. “I don’t even know how to flirt.”
    â€œI beg to differ,” he retorted. “So does Adam, I’m sure. And Jamal, for that matter.”
    â€œJamal?” I blinked at him. “Okay, I might concede your point when it comes to Adam. But I was definitely not flirting with Jamal.”
    Robert slammed his locker door shut. “Maybe you should try it sometime,” he said. “He’s almost as hot as Adam. No accent, of course, but the rest of the package is there—he’s cool, he’s smart, he’s more age appropriate. . . .”
    I stared at him, waiting for the punch line. But there didn’t seem to be one. Was Robert crazy? Jamal was cool and all, but he was no Adam.
    â€œAre you nuts?” I said. “I just met the man of my dreams, and you’re already trying to hook me up with some other guy?”
    â€œSorry.” Robert hoisted his backpack onto his shoulder and checked his watch. “I’m just saying, if things don’t work out withAdam, it’s nice to have a backup. But I’m sure things will work out with Adam,” he added hastily, probably catching the murderous glint in my eye. “He’s totally perfect for you. He’s like Corc, only even better.”
    â€œBetter than Corc?” I asked, slightly mollified. I didn’t know where the whole Jamal detour had come from, but I wanted to get back on track.
    â€œYeah, totally.” We started wandering toward our next class. “He’s younger than Corc, for one thing. And available—no supermodels to compete with.”
    â€œAlways a plus,” I agreed.
    â€œAnd then there’s the job,” Robert went on. “Tagging along on those world tours would get awfully old after a while, don’t you think?”
    â€œOf course.” I grinned at him. “You’re right. Adam’s perfect.”
    The bell rang, sending us scurrying off toward the science lab. I only hoped I wasn’t so distracted by my daydreams about Adam that I accidentally blew up the school. Not that I’d miss the school, mind you. But I didn’t want anything to make me late for puppy class.
    *  *  *
    After school, Robert and I stopped by