“I don’t know.Should you be back in the woods by yourself?”
She huffed.“I’ll have Maybelline with me.We know she’s just a lover mutt, but others won’t.And Tank will make enough noise to annoy anyone who gets too close.”
“All right, but be careful.”
It was sweet how he still worried after the pharmacy incident.Marcus had told them the arrested men had plenty of priors, some far worse than attempted robbery, so the cops were still holding them.
“I will be.I’m on my way home now, but I should be at the park right on time.”
“See you soon, then.”
Love you.She wanted to say it; the words were right there on her tongue, burning in her throat, resonating in her heart.But of course she didn’t.Instead, she made a kissing sound, felt ridiculous, and ended the call.
On the drive home, she kept laughing at herself.And smiling.So much happiness couldn’t be contained.
Had her sister felt this way with Ford?
Did Knox feel this way about her?
One good thing about dogs, she could pour her heart out to them without fear of judgment.The second she got home, she saw Maybelline looking out the window.For a certainty, Tank would be at her side, jumping around in excitement.As soon as she got the door open, they were both there, thrilled to see her.
And she was thrilled to see them, too, but experience had taught her that all those thrills needed to happen outside, so she rushed for the back door, they followed, and they did all their happy hugs and kissing in the yard—after both dogs had peed.
Knowing she had enough time, Laylee praised them for … well, basically everything, but especially for not using her house like a toilet.That was a biggie.After they’d played for a bit, come inside to eat, then gone out to pee one more time, she got everything together for their picnic.The last thing she did was change into a sleeveless romper with a blue and white floral pattern, and slip-on white canvas sneakers.She twisted up her long hair in a loose, hopefully sexy-but-casual style and finished off the look with white-framed sunglasses.
In her tote bag she carried bottles of water, portable dishes for the dogs, a few treats, and the necessary table and seat covers.Knox would bring the food, plates, and napkins.And of course himself.That was the best part.
The dogs behaved perfectly on the walk.They had almost reached the park when she ran into Paul, their friend and aprofessional dog walker.He was with another guy, and at first they didn’t notice her because they were too focused on each other.Laylee felt like teasing, so she let out a loud wolf whistle that gained the attention of both men—and the terrier they had on a leash.
Maybelline noticed the terrier then too and immediately lowered her ears and started wagging her tail.Tank, as usual, went into a fit of barking.
“You,” Paul said with a laugh, dragging along his date—and yes, she could tell he was a date.
“Um …” The other man held back as he eyed Maybelline.
“She’s a sweetheart,” Paul swore.He went to his knees to greet Maybelline.Tank was too busy yapping at the new guy.
Laylee held out her hand.“Hi.I’m Laylee, a friend of Paul’s, introduced through Ford and Knox.Do you know them?”
He took her hand.“I’m Ryan, and no, I don’t know many of Paul’s friends yet.We only met last week.”
“Ah, well then, I won’t keep throwing names at you.I’ve known Paul longer than that, and he’s been a godsend.”While Paul gushed over Maybelline, she picked up Tank and got familiar with the terrier, who had a very laid-back attitude about Tank and the noise he made.
She only spent a few minutes chatting with them before she told them she had to get going.“I want to get to the park before Knox shows up.”
“So you and Knox, huh?”Paul grinned at her from his position on the sidewalk where he continued to love on Maybelline.
“Yes, me and Knox—and it’s beenamazing.”
He laughed.“Told you it would be, but did you listen?No, you didn’t.”He glanced at Ryan.“She’s stubborn, but I knew right off they’d be good together.I told her, I told him.At least he paid attention, but then, he was already on board.”
“What do you mean, you told him?”
“At your sister’s wedding?Puh-leez.Who do you think forcedhim to lend you a hand with everything, even though you told him you didn’t need help?”
She shrugged.
“Poor guy couldn’t take his eyes off you, so I told him to quit asking and just do it.”
