Where she bumped right into Alex. He smiled as his eyes widened, looking happy to see her.
“Hey.” But before she could say what she really wanted to, Kyle stepped out of a room into the hall. She quickly switched tactics. “Thanks again for watching Chewie. Both of you.”
Kyle grinned. “Watch out, I think Alex is ready to adopt him.”
Sylvie forced herself not to give Alex a look that would give both of them away. “Let me know if Chewie needs anything,” she told him.
“Will do.” Alex headed out the door, and if he hadn’t just spent the night with her, and then given her that killer look, she would have thought he was blowing her off.
CHAPTERNINE
Early the next morning, Sylvie had to wait at Watchdog’s gate since she was in her cruiser and didn’t have the sticker that automatically opened the gate. She thought of asking Alex for another sticker she could tape to the windshield, wishing she hadn’t stuck the other one to the Mustang’s so she could switch them out. The guard opened the gate for her after she showed him her badge and ID and she drove on up to the kennels. She’d spend a few minutes with Chewie, wishing it was a class day so that she didn’t have to leave him.
There were no cars in the lot which disappointed her. Sylvie got out and let herself into the kennels using the key and code Alex had given her. Once inside she went down the hall to where the dogs were.
And found Alex waiting for her.
“I didn’t see your truck or the SUV,” she said.
“Thought I’d walk up here this morning. Give me and the dogs some exercise.” Alex leaned in close. “It killed me to blow you off yesterday,” he said quietly as they filled a couple of bowls with dog food, heads close together. “And it’s killing me right now that I can’t take you into my arms.” His gaze flicked to one of the many cameras then back to her.
“Same. But I understood yesterday. And believe me, there are a million things I’d like to do to you right now.”
He gave her an appreciative growl that went straight to her core. “When can we see each other again?”
“I’m on for four days, ten-hour shifts. But, seeing as you live close by and I’m coming up here anyway, maybe I can stop by?”
“I’d love that. But I’d hate for anyone to see your car there.”
“So come down to my place.” She straightened up and took the bowl of food to Chewie’s enclosure. The other dogs all wagged their tails, and she was surprised at how quickly they’d come to recognize her.
“Hey, buddy. Sorry you had to sleep here last night.” She set the bowl down and petted Chewie’s back while he ate.
“Confession,” Alex said as he set a bowl down for Valkyrie in the enclosure beside Chewie’s. “I took Chewie home with me last night, along with Mac and Champ.”
Her heart melted. “Aw. Thank you. That means so much to me.” She met his eyes and drank in the kindness and warmth she saw there. Her belly fluttered as details from the night they’d spent together came back to her. Sylvie felt her cheeks turn warm. She was in serious danger of reaching out and pulling him in for a kiss. She broke off her stare and changed the subject.
“Oh, before I forget, could I get a second sticker for the cruiser? Just in case, since half the time I’ll probably be driving it when I come up here.”
“Absolutely. I’ll grab another for you on your way out.” He leaned in close again. “And your place, or mine, it doesn’t matter, just so I get to see you.”
And there goes my tummy again.
After half an hour of caring for Chewie, Sylvie reluctantly left for her shift. She loved her job, but couldn’t wait to get onto the K9 Unit so she could bring Chewie with her. At least Carla would be back. She checked her phone and realized she had just enough time to stop by Riversong, grab a hot coffee, and drink it on the way—a much better prospect than choking down the tepid swill in the department.
The family that owned the coffee shop was bustling around inside still preparing to open when she approached the door. One of the women ran up to the door to unlock and open it.
“Sorry, we’re actually open but someone forgot to unlock the door.”
“No worries, Brianna. I’m just here for—”
“Black, two sugar packets in case you need the energy rush. Got it.” The gorgeous young woman threw her a smile over her shoulder as she dashed back behind the counter.
Sylvie cracked up. “And the Best Barista Award goes to Brianna Taylor.”
“You know it.” She put a lid on Sylvie’s coffee and grabbed two sugar packets.
Sylvie noticed flyers beside the cash register that advertised a discount for people with music festival bracelets. “You guys will be swamped. Do you ever get a chance to actually go to the festival yourself?”
