Page 78 of Tamed to Be Messy

She lets out a small squeal and snuggles her face next to Bandits. “I knew you could do it, boy. And that’s going to make today’s workout so much more fun for you.”

She guides him to the open area of the room, unbuckles the wheelchair, and then lifts Bandit’s back end as she slides what I can only describe as a large orange inflated capsule under his belly.

“There you go. Now you can stand a little longer and give those leg muscles a chance to strengthen.” She sits on the floor behind him and begins working her magic on his rear legs.

“He’s making pretty good progress.” Pete pushes away from the counter and pauses near us, creating a triangle.

The metaphorical significance of that isn’t lost on me, but I’m probably jumping to conclusions. Despite his evident interest in Hannah, I’m not seeing that interest returned in her. My hackles settle but just a little.

She shoots Pete a snarky look. “Are you kidding? He’s doing great! Nick’s been working with him at his place, too.”

“I thought you were keeping him at your place.” Pete’s scowl clues me in that he’s feeling somewhat threatened by my presence.

I confess, that makes me kind of happy. “Hannah’s place doesn’t allow pets, so she asked me to help, which I’m glad she did.”

Hannah snorts and laughs all at once. “Except for the time he pooped on your nice shoes.”

I chuckle with her. “I forgave him.”

My gaze connects with hers and locks into place. It’s like she’s trying to reassure me that I’m the one she’s interested in and not Pete. Or maybe that’s just what I’m hoping to see.

“Well, I better get going.” Pete’s voice breaks our moment, but I don’t mind. Because there’s a resignation in his tone that tells me he’s lost the chance to win Hannah’s affections.

I stay by Bandit as she follows Pete to the door and says goodbye.

Once he’s gone, she sits back down on the floor to continue working with Bandit. I want to tell her we have three weeks until I recertify, but she seems to be grappling with something herself.

We say each other’s name at the same time and then laugh. We’re so in sync sometimes, I have to believe she feels as drawn to me as I am to her.

She holds her hand out. “You first.”

I sit on the floor opposite her and rub Bandit’s ears, which makes his tail wag more, causing her to giggle and tilt her head away. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing her laugh like that.

“Zane set the date for my recertification. It’s in three weeks.”

“Oof. Okay, then we better get you in the water. Fill me in on what that entails.”

“Besides the written test, there are basically three physical parts. Distance swim, treading water, and a brick dive.”

She raises her brows. “A brick? Like the ones my dad used to build the patio?”

“Impressive.”

She makes that cute scrunch face. “I have my moments.”

I chuckle. “I meant your dad. That patio is hecka cool. No, the brick we use is ten pounds.”

“Ten pounds?” She frowns. “That’s like two of the five-pound bags of rice I just bought on sale.”

“Oh, so you do grocery shop on your own.” I keep my tone light, teasing.

She smirks. “No comments from the peanut gallery.”

I’m loving our playful banter, and I’m pretty sure she is, too. “This test requires that I swim twenty yards first, dive down to retrieve the brick in seven feet of water, and then swim back, using only my legs and exit the pool without using the ladder.”

“Good grief.” Her brows pinch together.

“That part’s timed.”

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