“Well, hello, beautiful. You look just like a dog I used to know.” She looked up at Tobias. “Is he yours?”

“He’s mine,” Kent said as he came out the shop door.

Madigan pushed to her feet, a megawatt smile illuminating the whole fucking world. “Kent?”

“Yeah.” Kent tilted his head in question as he closed the distance with her, recognition bringing a boyish grin, taking him from dirty mechanic to charmer on the prowl.

What kind of hell was this?

“We met at the fundraiser for the rescue, right? You’re Gunner’s cousin?” Kent asked.

“Yes. Madigan. Mads. It’s so good to see you again.” She opened her arms to embrace him.

Kent glanced at Tobias over her shoulder, looking so damn happy, Tobias’s hands fisted.

“Cheddar looks great,” Madigan said cheerily, oblivious to the hell she was putting Tobias through. “You bring him with you to work now?”

“Yeah. He’s such a good boy, the boss doesn’t mind.”

If Tobias were a better man, he’d walk away and let them be, but he wasn’t a better man. Apparently he was a possessive bastard where she was concerned, and he strode out of the bay, determined to stake his claim as the only booty call Blue Eyes was getting from that auto shop. “You two know each other, huh?”

“Kent got Cheddar from my cousin Gunner and his fiancée Sid’s animal rescue,” Madigan explained, petting Cheddar.

“I haven’t seen Gunner and Sid in a while,” Kent said. “I really should start going to the gym in the mornings again, but I usually go for a run with Cheddar instead.”

“Aw, that’s so sweet,” Madigan said, making Tobias wish he had a fucking dog. “I don’t know how often Gunner and Sid make it to the gym that early anymore. I swear they’d never leave their bed if they could get away with it.”

Kent glanced at Tobias, giving him a look that said he’d like to take Madigan to bed.

“So, you brought me lunch?” Tobias said, knowing Kent would get the hint.

“Yes, but I only brought enough for two. I’m sorry, Kent. I didn’t know you guys worked together. You can have it, and I can eat later.”

“My ass you can.” Driven by something bigger than him, Tobias took her by the elbow, leading her away, with Cheddar trotting behind them. “Kent can fend for himself.”

“Enjoy your lunch,” Kent called after them. “Cheddar, come on, boy.” The pooch doubled back to him.

Tobias knew he was flirting with danger as he led Madigan around the building to a picnic table in the grass, but the thought of her getting together with Kent screwed with his head.

“Where are we going? I hope you like what I brought. I wasn’t sure what you liked to drink, so I brought iced tea and soda…”