Just Count on Me: Counting on Love Prequel by Erin Nicholas Read Free Book Online Page A

Dooley.
    Ryan just chewed and waited.
    Conner reached for a brownie, then leaned back in his chair. He also chewed for a few seconds.
    Ryan crossed one ankle over his other knee.
    Finally Conner looked up at him. “Thanks for not telling them.”
    “Telling them what?” Dooley asked, looking between the two men.
    Ryan grinned. “You bet, buddy. I’ve got your back.”
    “Telling them what?” Dooley asked.
    “And I appreciate it.”
    “How’s the deep battle wound feeling?” Ryan asked.
    Conner held up his hand with a grin. “Better every time one of the girls says “I heard about the call the other night”.”
    “Telling them what ?” Dooley asked again.
    Ryan looked at Conner. Conner looked at Ryan. Then he sighed. “The girl’s hoodie was caught but…she wasn’t wearing it. She was just carrying it. She could have easily left it behind. But she was panicking and I figured the easiest way to get her out of the building was to slash the drawstring and bring the sweatshirt with us.”
    Dooley shook his head. “Nice.”
    “Tell him the best part,” Ryan urged, not containing his smile any longer.
    Conner couldn’t help but give a half grin too. “She showed up yesterday. I was assuming she was here to thank me.”
    “Yeah?” Dooley said.
    “She was here to ask me for money to replace the hoodie I ruined.”
    There was a beat of silence, then Dooley hooted with laughter. “And you gave it to her?”
    Conner shrugged. “Yeah. I wasn’t going to argue with her.”
    If nothing else, Conner Dixon knew when to debate with a woman and when not to. He had plenty of antagonized females in his life at any one time.
    “But that means one more woman who doesn’t think you’re a big hero,” Dooley pointed out.
    Conner smiled. “I gave her the money. That doesn’t mean she didn’t leave here thinking I’m the greatest guy in the world.”
    “You charmed a girl after ruining her favorite sweatshirt?” Dooley asked. “How?”
    “I told her I hoped that the next one she bought was green because it would make her eyes look beautiful.”
    “Oh my god.” Dooley slumped back in his chair, laughing. “That’s great.”
    “I thought so and her big smile and soft, sweet ‘’bye Conner’ said she did too,” Conner agreed cheerfully.
    “If you’re not careful, you’re going to be the next Sam Bradford,” Dooley said, pushing himself up from his chair.
    “Or Mac Gordon,” Conner quipped.
    Dooley gave him a raised eyebrow. “You want to be like Mac? You might have some work to do.”
    “Work like what?”
    “You know about edible body powder?” Dooley asked.
    “Heard of it.”
    “Get some. Try it out. In fact, acquaint yourself with the entire catalog at Scandalous Somethings dot com.”
    “Then Sara might be interested?” Conner asked.
    Ryan groaned.
    Dooley laughed. “No. But it’ll help you back some of this flirting up when the right woman finally decides to make you prove that you’re as hot as you think you are.”
    Conner shuddered. “Women make things complicated if you let them stick around too long. The last thing I need is another permanent woman in my life.”
    “Don’t think I’m not going to remind you that you said that one of these days,” Dooley said, heading for the door. “And I’m going to enjoy the hell out of it.”
    Ryan regarded his friend as Dooley shut the door behind him. Come to think of it, Ryan was going to enjoy the hell out of that too. He hoped that woman came along soon.
    Conner Dixon in love was going to be something to see.

 
    BONUS! Short story about Cody Madsen and Olivia Dixon
    from Counting On Love book 4, Going for Four
     
    Tidings of Comfort and Schnapps
     
    Two years, one week and three days ago
     
    There was nothing sexy about gingerbread men. Especially ones that were really just big
    blobs of gingerbread with a foot sticking out here and there. There was also nothing sexy about sugar cookies. Especially ones that were burnt on the