The moment I see her grab them, I jump down, drop the gloves on the floor, and turn to face her.
“C’mere.”
My hands land on her waist, her body brushing against mine as I put her on her feet.
“You’re one big scaredy-cat, Trouble,” I mutter as I spot Nico coming around the ring to us.
“Am not!” She pokes me in the chest. “I’m just not huge like some of you here.” Her eyes narrow. “And don’t you even dare voice whatever it is that just crossed your mind.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, but even the pain doesn’t help make my smile disappear.
“I mean it, Williams.”
“Not saying anything.” Not that it matters, we both know it, and her flustered state is enough for me.
“When did you get here, anyway?”
“Oh, I’m taking a class in the back with?—”
Her eyes grow wide as she looks around until her gaze lands on the woman who’s standing a few feet away. She’s dressed in a similar getup of a sports bra and leggings, arms crossed over her chest and an amused smile plastered on her face.
“Shit.”
The woman slowly makes her way toward us, her smile growing bigger with every step she takes.
“I can see now the real reason why you didn’t take that offer.”
My brows pull together. “What offer?”
“Nothing,” Jessica blurts quickly. Too quickly. “Mae has something mixed up. Mae, this is…”
“Oh, I met Matthew earlier.”
Jessica’s head whips in her friend’s direction, clearly surprised by the revelation. “You did?”
“Doc…” Nico slips next to us.
Her brows pull together, smile falling as she glares at him. “Officer.”
The corner of his mouth tips upward, the tension between them sizzling to life as they just stare at one another for a heartbeat.
“You were pretty decent, Rookie. Well, until you got knocked on your ass.” Nico tilts his head, eyeing my face. “You’ll have a hell of a lot to explain tomorrow. So much for cleaning up your act.”
“The asshole got a lucky shot.” I open and close my mouth a few times, testing it, but nothing seems to be broken. Still, I’m pretty sure I’ll have a nice bruise tomorrow.
Hey, I guess it’s better than a shiner.
Nico shifts his attention back to the veterinarian. “It’s good to see you again.”
“I can’t say the same,” she fires back without missing a beat, and I have to bite back my laugh.
“Seriously, Doc?”
Jessica glances from one to the other before looking at me. “Somebody care to explain what I’m missing?”
“Earlier today we stopped at the shelter to check out Duke,” I explain while the other two continue with their staring contest.
“You’re looking to adopt a dog?”
