Page 24 of Second Down Darling

“What a good boy!” I break out the treats and reward him with one. Duke’s doing much better. He’s putting on a little weight, and he’s not quite as shy as he used to be. He now greets me and Roxy with doggy kisses and a wagging tail when we get home from class, but he’s still super skittish aroundstrangers.

Behind us, the sound of an approaching car breaks the silence. I speed-walk toward the lone streetlight and pray that’s not a serial killer. Damn my sister for making me watch all of those killer clown movies. I’m glancing around, wishing we hadn’t gone so far, when a familiar blue Dodge Avenger pullsup.

“What are you doing out here?” Jake’s gruff voice instantly has me relieved and irritated. I can’t see him because he’s yelling through the passenger window from the driver’sside.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” I pull on Duke’s leash, and thankfully, hefollows.

“It’sdark.”

“Thanks for the heads-up, Sherlock. Hadn’tnoticed.”

“I’m serious, Charlotte. You shouldn’t be walking around bumfuck by yourself in the middle of the night.” The gravel crunches beneath his tires as he follows me. I’m hoping he’s done with the lecture, but nope. “Let me give you a ridehome.”

He must really be worried I’ll be strangled by a psycho. Still, I’m too proud to accept the handout. “I can manage fine,thanks.”

“Don’t bestubborn.”

“Don’t beoverbearing.”

Blissful silence greets me. Then… “I don’t remember you being such asmartass.”

“I don’t remember you being such an asshole,” I yellback.

When he doesn’t respond, I fully expect him to hit the gas and leave us in the dust, but that’s wishful thinking because he shuts off the engine.Damnit.

I flinch at the sound of his car door slamming shut. Jake stalks up to me. His hair is damp and in disarray. He’s wearing a fitted t-shirt and joggers that cling to his muscular thighs, and he smells like he just stepped out of a shower. Why does this man have to be so freakingattractive?

He points behind him. “Either get in the car and let me drive you home, or prepare for me to follow you all the wayback.”

“Honest question, Jake. Why do you care? I’ve been getting a strong ‘fuck off’ vibe from you since our reunion in the park. Why are you doingthis?”

Blowing out a breath, he runs his hand through his hair. “I might be pissed at you, but I don’t want you to die. Is that a good enoughreason?”

Stop with the swoony words, Jake.“You tried, and I declined. Your conscience is clear. I’m really and truly fine on myown.”

His rugged square jaw tightens as he speaks through clenched teeth. “Charlotte, my long-lost friend. I would be devastated if you were hurt. Now please get your little ass in thecar.”

I chuckle at his serious expression and how it contrasts with the absurdly sweet tone of his voice. “And if Idon’t?”

My skin prickles under his intensestare.

Those beautiful dark brown eyes travel up and down my body in a way they’ve never done before. “I could always toss you over my shoulder,” he says with a cockysmirk.

Don’t read into this. Don’t.“That’s called kidnapping, Jake, and you could get two to twenty.” I’m about to walk around him when he crouches at my feet and starts petting Duke. “He doesn’t… like…strangers.”

But Duke is licking Jake’s face and wagging his tailexcitedly.

Traitor.

“Come on, Duke. We have a frozen dinner calling ourname.”

Jake looks up at me and smiles. His dark eyes crinkle in the corners, and his dimples pop out. It’s a lethal combination. God, I’ve missed his smiles. “He’s beautiful. I remember how you always wanted a dog, but Dakota wasallergic.”

“He’s not my dog. I mean, he is momentarily, but I have to return him to the shelter once he’s rehabilitated.” It’s going to tear me up. I see the question in Jake’s eyes. “I can’t have dogs in my apartment. I’m kinda breaking the rules right now, but it was either that or let him be euthanized because he wouldn’teat.”

“He’s doing betternow?”

“Yeah. He’s doinggreat.”

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