Free Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Joann Durgin

stubble on his jaw as he marched toward the front foyer. His feet touched wetness on the carpet near the desk, and he released a groan of frustration. Throwing open the door, he motioned to Julia with one hand. “Come on in, but enter at your own risk.”
    The way Julia’s mouth twisted, it appeared she tried not to grin as she came inside the house and closed the door behind her. “Hello to you, too.” Her eyes grew large as she took in the chaos. “Dylan thought you might need a little help, and I think he’s right.”
    Jake’s shoulders slumped. “It’s official. I’m a failure as a dog owner. I bought her a ton of toys, but all Bailey does is shred stuff and do her business whenever I turn my head.” He led Julia into the living room and waved a hand toward his mother’s favorite throw rug with its newly-minted stain. “Mom will kill me when she sees this if Dad doesn’t finish me off first.”
    “Yeah, and no way will any female want to come near you smelling like you do at this moment,” Dylan said.
    Jake could only stare at Dylan. What a thing to say.
    “Other than you, of course, Jules. But you’re like a sister to Jake.” Dylan trained his gaze on him. “Right, buddy?”
    Jake’s scowl deepened. “It’s eau de puppy , man.” As much as he hated to admit it, Dylan was right. He needed a good, long shower and a powerful deodorizer for the entire house. He purposely chose to ignore the rest of his comment. “Is it too much to ask to get a little affection, even from a dog?” He blew out a sigh. “You could have warned me, you know.”
    Dylan scoffed. “Yeah, right. I’m still getting used to kids of the human kind. I’ll learn from your mistakes, thank you very much.”
    “Well, I’m making enough of them.” Jake tossed squeaky chew toys in the basket by the hearth. He’d spent a small fortune, but so far, Bailey seemed more interested in chewing the bottom of the couch or trying to get at the toys waiting to be fixed. “In some ways, I think a baby might be easier. At least they sleep a lot and don’t wander all over the house leaving little legacies.”
    “Where’s the baby gate?” Julia asked.
    Jake snapped his head up. “I’ll never tell. I can’t cage Bailey. That’s inhumane.”
    “It’s not caging her, Jake,” Julia said, employing what must be her “nurse” voice. Funny thing, but it was already working on his frazzled nerves. “The unfortunate alternative is soiled carpet and buying stock in companies that manufacture pet deodorizers and stain removal products.”
    How she said it with a straight face, he’d never know, but that comment made the corners of Jake’s mouth curl.
    “Where’s Bailey now?” Julia took a quick survey of the sofa and living room chairs.
    “Sleeping on my bed.”
    Dylan picked up a plastic toy and tossed it in the basket. “Are you sure that’s wise?”
    “Why not?” Whose side were these people on, anyway? Bailey’s?
    “You’re spoiling her, that’s all.” Julia’s voice was low and calm, softening the brunt of her words.
    “That’s where you’re wrong,” Jake said. “Maybe I’m the one who needs a little spoiling.”
    “Guess someone’s a little cranky,” Dylan said. “Time to get over the little pity party you’ve got going here, Jake, and set limits with this dog. Otherwise, she’ll be a diva, and you won’t ever get a woman. No way she’ll want to compete.” He sighed. “I think you called me because you have more toys for pickup. Got them ready to go?”
    “Oh, right.” With all the talk about Bailey, he’d almost forgotten the original reason he’d asked Dylan to stop by. “They’re over there in the hall closet.”
    From the corner of his eye, Jake spied Julia removing her jacket and draping it over a chair. “Jake, do you mind if I stay a while and help you clean up?”
    His pulse skipped a few beats, and he swallowed hard. Something stirred in his gut. Maybe it was hunger since he hadn’t