“Cool. I’ll let you know if anything opens up in my building.”
Sylvie looked at Jodie in surprise. “That’s so sweet. Thank you.”
Jodie grinned. “From what I’ve seen you’d make a great neighbor.” She tilted her chin at Chewie. “So would he.”
Sylvie laughed. “Thanks! He’d probably make a better neighbor than me.”
The doors opened behind them and Sylvie turned, hoping to see Alex. Instead, two Watchdog bodyguards walked out into the sun. Sylvie recognized one—Brock, better known as Badger. The other was a stunning woman, tall and lean. Charlie, Sylvie thought her name was.
Brock smiled when he saw Valkyrie. “There’s my girl.” Jodie handed him the Kong and Valkyrie immediately diverted her attention to him. He threw it and she dashed after the toy.
“Can’t wait until I get my assigned pooch,” Charlie said.
“Patience is a virtue, King,” Brock said.
“That’s a joke, coming from you, Badger.” Charlie responded. Sylvie sensed an easy feeling between them, like they were old friends.
“Whatever, your highness.”
Charlie shot him a look that might have withered another man. Chewie came running up to Sylvie, saliva-slicked Kong in his mouth, and dropped it at her feet.
“That’s my boy,” Sylvie said.
“Cutie,” Charlie said. “But he’s yours?” she asked Sylvie.
“Yup, Chewie’s my boy.” Sylvie knelt and petted him.
Charlie dropped down next to her. Sylvie was not short, but Charlie probably had a good four inches on her. She ran her hand through Chewie’s fur. “I saw him out with Alex earlier and the two were having fun. I was thinking Alex had gotten himself a third dog.”
“Aw. No, he’s just staying up here until I get my housing situation figured out.”
“Sylvie has a bitch for an HOA president,” Jodie supplied. “Trying to get Chewie kicked out.”
Charlie shook her head. “That fucking sucks.” She offered her hand. “I don’t think we’ve officially met. “I’m Charlene King. Call me Charlie.”
“Don’t lie. You prefer King Charlemagne,” Badger said as he tossed the Kong.
Charlie rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. He thinks we’re still active Swicks.”
“Swicks?”
“S-W-C-C,” Charlie spelled out. “Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen.”
“Oh, wow, I had no idea.”
“Yeah, best kept secret in the military, I think. Anyway, King Charlemagne was my nickname.”
“Still is, King,” Badger added.
The door opened again and another man came out. “We training now?” he asked.
“As soon as Alex and Kyle wrap it up,” Jodie told him. “Shane, have you met Sylvie?”
“Nope. Seen you around though.” The new guy extended his hand as Sylvie stood up. She wiped her hands on her jeans before shaking it. “Shane Foti.” He looked out over the dogs. “Pete! Peetie!” A black Lab came running up and Shane pulled out a treat. “You look familiar.”
“I’m in one of Alex Hoff’s classes, and I’m boarding Chewie here at the moment.” She remembered to add Alex’s last name at the last second. “I should probably get going.”
Sylvie knelt one more time and hugged Chewie. “You be a good boy and behave for everyone, okay?” When she stood, she noticed Shane eyeing her for a moment.Damn, I need to be careful. People are already noticing how much I’m here. She waved to the others and walked back inside the kennels.
