Page 31 of Everlasting Promises

I narrow my eyes, unsure if I like the way she’s looking at Ben. Not that I have any right to feel any kind of way about anything to do with him. He’s not mine.

Objectively, I know he’s a handsome man. He has an impressive body, beautiful eyes, and amazing hair—among other great qualities you only learn about as you get to know him. His easy smile is definitely swoonworthy. I can see why she’s looking at him like a piece of meat, and I wonder if that happens to him a lot.

Even though he’s off duty, he remains professional. I don’t understand this feeling that’s erupted through my body. All I know is it makes me uneasy and I feel out of my element.

A hand touches my arm, and I jump, my heart leaping into my throat. “Are you all right?” Ben asks.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t noticed he’d finished with the woman. I look up into his worried gaze. “Yeah, it took me a moment to work out what was going on when you took off.” I hand him his discarded shoes.

“Rex was incredible!” Evan shouts as he drops to his knees, wrapping his arms around Rex’s neck and burying his face in his fur.

Now that I’ve seen Rex in action, I’m not as comfortable with Evan being so familiar with the dog. “Evan, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to play with Rex like that. He’s a working dog.” My heart pounds, and the rush of blood through my body is almost louder than the waves. I’m not sure why I didn’t thinkabout it before. I guess seeing him in action made the reality of what Rex does hit home. Evan doesn’t release his hold and my breathing picks up speed. “Evan. Let Rex go, please, and step away.”

Creases form between Ben’s eyebrows as he watches me. “Are you okay?”

I wave my arm toward his dog. “I’m just concerned. What if he attacks Evan?”

Ben shakes his head and places his hands on his hips. “He would never. He didn’t attack that guy because I never gave him the instruction to do that. Hope, his training is impeccable. You have nothing to fear. Evan is completely safe. I give you my word.”

Instead of being offended, he offers me a genuine promise that my son is safe. My shoulders relax, the worry releasing from my body, and exhaustion takes hold. I trust his word. I trusthim.

“Rex only went after that guy becauseIgave him the command to. He would never take chase, attack, or guard without a command from me and me alone. Evan and you are both one hundred percent safe in his company. As is everyone who comes into contact with him, unless they’re a criminal,” he tells me with his stormy eyes locked on mine, putting me further at ease.

“Thank you. I hope I didn’t offend you. It’s just … Evan’s all I have left and?—”

He holds up his hand, shaking his head slightly. “You don’t need to say any more, Hope. I get it. It can be confronting when you see Rex in action for the first time, and I completely understand where you’re coming from.” He digs a rope out of his pocket and holds it out to Rex, who obediently sits at his feet, looking at the toy with longing. “Play.”

Without pause, Rex latches onto the rope and begins a game of tug-of-war with Ben. Playful Rex is back. The muscles beneathBen’s tattoos tense and shift with the game, and as I watch them play, a small smile tugs at my lips. I can’t believe he’s the same dog who just went after a thief.

Rex shakes his head side to side and digs his back feet into the sand, but Ben’s not giving him an inch.

“Good boy, Rex,” he encourages, and Rex responds with a playful growl.

“Can I do that too?” Evan asks.

My pulse leaps, and Ben looks to me for guidance. I know I should nod or say something to give him the okay, but I can’t find it in myself right now to agree to the game. I trust Ben, but what if Rex is still hyped up from the chase and he bites Evan by mistake?

Ben must read the indecision in my eyes. “Maybe another time, Ev. Give your mom some time to get used to the idea. Okay?”

Evan’s bottom lip drops into a pout. “I guess.” I know he’s not happy, but Ben’s right. I need some time to get my head around it.

“We should probably head home, Ev.” His shoulders drop, but he doesn’t argue. Thank goodness for small mercies.

Ben pushes his hair away from his forehead again. “I’ll walk with you to your car.”

We make it to the parking lot, and I put my sandals back on while Ben puts on his shoes and socks, pushing his hair back again as he stands.

“Would you like to follow us home? I can cut your hair. I have everything I need, and it would save you from coming into the salon,” I offer. Shock has my mouth slamming shut and my eyes widening.

His eyes widen slightly, along with his lips, like he’s as surprised as I am by my offer. “Only if it’s no trouble. I don’t want to put you out.”

“It’s no trouble at all, and it’s the least I can do since you’ve bought us lunch twice now.”

“You don’t owe me anything for that. I was happy to have company.” He’s mentioned company a few times now. He hooks his thumbs through the loops of his jeans while I shift on my feet and wonder if he’s a little lonely like I am. “Are you happy for me to bring Rex, or should I drop him home first?”

“Mom, say Rex can come too. Please.”

Now I feel terrible because Ben thinks I don’t trust Rex. “Please bring Rex with you. I can’t bear the thought of him being left at home alone.”

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