Page 52 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

In the fading daylight he hadn’t even noticed her.

A grin split across her face as she welcomed Hank into her arms. “You’re energetic today, aren’t you?”

“Always,” Jamie muttered, followed by a “Hey.”

She glanced up at him. “Hi.”

It was the first time they’d spoken since deciding to give friendship a try.

Hank planted one paw beside her and another on her thigh, licking her face. She smiled again and laughed, her face significantly brighter than when she’d looked at Jamie. He glanced away, irritated.

He was jealous of his damn dog.

“How are you?” Her voice floated up, soft and tentative.

“Fine. You?”

“I’m good.”

He slid his gaze back to her. Was she really? Her eyes looked tired, and she absently brushed her hand across her upper collarbone, something he’d noticed she did often, almost a nervous gesture. It was impossible to tell with the way she kept her expression cool—placid, almost.

Then he noticed her clothes. Shorts, T-shirt, running shoes. Phone and earbuds on the grass beside her. “Are you going running?”

“Yeah. I took a lap around the building to warm up and stopped to stretch.”

He frowned. “It’s almost dark.”

She angled her head, eyebrows lifting. “I see that.”

Part of his brain tried to interject—this wasn’t his business. “You shouldn’t run out here by yourself at night.”

“There are lights everywhere.”

Yeah, but just outside the path dark corners and bushes lurked everywhere. Countless places for someone with nefarious intentions to hide. And if she had earbuds in, unaware of her surroundings? He didn’t like it one bit.

Basic facts pointed to a woman in that kind of situation being less safe than a man. It sucked, but that was how things were. He’d have felt the same if it were any woman in this scenario.

Probably.

Hank leaped at her side and crouched on his front paws, tail wagging with ferocity.

“Would you take Hank with you?” Jamie asked.

She glanced at his dog, then back at him. Her eyes narrowed. “Because you think I can’t take care of myself?”

Jamie swallowed. “I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t make me feel better, knowing he was with you, but mostly because he’s dying to go. I’ve taken him running more than usual lately, and he’s gotten used to it. I babysat my nephew today, and I’m exhausted, but he’s been driving me crazy ever since I got home. You’d actually be doing me a huge favor. Otherwise he’ll be bouncing off the walls all night, and I won’t get any sleep.”

She eyed him, considering. Hank shifted back on his haunches, a sudden picture of perfect manners, as if he knew something important was at stake.

Jamie tried one last time. “He’d love you for it.” Not to mention Jamie’s peace of mind. “I’m in 26A; you could just bring him by when you’re done.”

Hank whined, and Elliott’s face went soft. Jamie could have hugged him.

“You’re sure?” she asked.

He dropped the leash by her feet before she could change her mind. “Completely.”

She stood, brushed off her shorts, and picked up the leash. Hank sniffed her shoes and pranced back and forth, aware of what was coming.

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