The kind of look that says not only is she right, she’s been right since the dawn of fucking time, and anything else is a waste of oxygen.
I stare down at the alleged Sir Wigglebutt, currently attempting to lick his own ass.
Did I mention he’s ten pounds soaking wet? I could hurl him like a football. In fact, he’s sort of shaped like one.
“I’m perfectly capable of handling Hank. I bench more than you weigh.”
“Maybe, but you’re also injured. And the only thing Hank is going to drag today is my dignity and probably my left arm out of its socket. ’Kay? Cool?”
Before I can come up with a defense, she hands me Sir Wigglebutt's leash.
“And I don’t want you hurting yourself.”
The words are quiet. Almost like she didn't mean to say them out loud.
Something warm settles low in my chest.
“Oh.”
Kallie immediately looks annoyed. Probably because she accidentally revealed she cares.
“Don't make it weird.”
Too late.
Not that I tell her that. I value my continued survival.
Kallie rolls her eyes and turns away before I can say anything else, gathering the remaining leashes into one hand.
“Ready?”
“As I'll ever?—”
A sharp bark immediately cuts me off.
Sir Wigglebutt attempts to launch himself after a squirrel approximately three times his size.
I tighten my grip on the leash.
The squirrel looks unimpressed and the dachshund looks personally offended.
And just like that, we’re off.
Hank tries to drag Kallie into a bush.
She plants her feet and yanks him right back. To my complete disbelief, Hank actually listens.
“How—” I start.
Kallie doesn’t even let me finish. She’s already moving, Hank heeling beside her like a show dog, like he didn’t just try to eat a bush.
“Trade secret,” she says, not looking back.
The wind catches Kallie’s hair, causing a few curls to come loose. She tries to stuff them back up into her messy bun, but more escape with every step.
Honestly, it’s a battle she loses every time, but I’m not about to point that out. Not when it’s taking all my energy not to just stare at her like a lovesick idiot.
I mean, what even is my life?
