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Chapter One

BLAKE KLINE WAS having a really shitty day, and it wasn’t even eight in the morning.

He’d woken up late and only realized that there was something wrong with the hot water when he’d stepped into his shower and had his balls frozen off. He’d gotten ready in half the time, but when he’d gone out to his car, he found the driver’s side window smashed and his stereo gone. God, he had to move. The area kept getting worse, and the apartment manager was always slow about fixing things. The only reason he’d stayed so long was because he hated moving.

The only bit of luck he’d had was that the cop who took his statement had been in the neighborhood, so he’d ended up with enough time for his morning run or breakfast at his favorite diner.

He’d chosen breakfast. If anything was going to right the trajectory of his day, it was his usual from Dale’s . . .

And one of Hannah’s smiles.

Blake grinned to himself as he parked his car in front of the white and red old-fashioned diner. It was right off the running trail he liked to take, and he’d been going here before work for just about a year. From the first time he’d stepped inside, the whole place had been warm and inviting, including the young, shy waitress who had first served him. For some reason, he’d spent that entire first visit trying to make her laugh.

After that, teasing Hannah, talking to Hannah, and finally, having her tease him back had become the highlight of his day. Hell, his week. It wasn’t that he didn’t like his job at Alpha Dog Training Program. He got to work with his friends, dogs, and kids all day. The program had been set up as a community outreach program to train nonviolent juvenile offenders in the care of animals, so they would have a focus other than getting into trouble when they left. The dogs, who were saved from being euthanized, were trained as search and rescue, military, police, and therapy dogs. It was admirable work that made him feel as though he was making a difference.

But it didn’t chase away the black mark on his soul the way Hannah’s laughter did.

He walked through the door, and to his disappointment, his favorite waitress was nowhere to be seen.

“Hey ya, Blake.” One of the other waitresses, Chloe, came sauntering over with a smile, her dark hair in a messy topknot. Blake was friendly with everyone at Dale’s and knew Chloe was a single mom in her early forties with two teenaged boys who drove her nuts, but the last thing he wanted to hear about today was whatever mischief Thing One and Thing Two had done over the weekend.

“Go ahead and grab your regular booth, and I’ll bring you some water,” she said.

Trying not to show the irritation he felt, he did what she said, and against his own volition, asked as she set the water down, “Is Hannah out sick today?”

Chloe gave him a sly grin, and he felt his neck and ears burn. He hadn’t meant for it to come out like that, didn’t want her to get the wrong idea. He wasn’t interested in Hannah romantically; he just enjoyed her company.

He hadn’t been interested in anyone since Jenny.

“She’s just out back on break. You’re a little early today, but I know she won’t want to miss you.”

The teasing note in her voice made him shift uncomfortably. “It’s no problem; I was just curious.”

“Sure you were. Want me to head out back and let her know you’re here?”

“Nah, really, I’ll just have my usual with a cup of coffee.”

“You got it, boss.” Chloe went to put in his order, and Blake sat there, trying not to glance toward the back of the diner where the staff disappeared to take their breaks.

Instead, he pulled out his phone and saw a text from Megan Bryce, one of his coworkers.

Hey, did you bitch out on our run this morning?

Blake rolled his eyes. Bryce liked to crash his morning runs, no matter how many times he’d told her he preferred to run alone. He liked the smart-ass brunette. She was just one of the guys. But his run was his Zen time, and she just wouldn’t take the hint.

I had a shit morning and decided to skip it. You should do it though. Best mentioned your ass was getting a little fluffy.

Sergeant Tyler Best had said no such thing, but Blake was really hoping that when he got to work, Best would get his ass kicked by Bryce, just for laughs. Blake needed a good laugh today.

How dare you?! My ass is fucking perfect. I’ll kill him, and you’re next.

Blake laughed as he responded.

Hey, don’t shoot the messenger.

Less than two seconds ticked by before she responded. Damn, she was fast.

The message sucked and should have never been repeated, douche-nozzle.

“Hey, Blake.” Hannah’s breathy greeting made him jump.

Her expression was slightly sheepish, and her hazel eyes twinkled behind the black framed glasses she always wore. “Sorry, didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”

“No, you’re fine. I was just texting my coworker. With any luck, there will be bloodshed when I get to work.”

Hannah laughed, shaking her head, and he watched the light dance off the highlights in her ponytail. Hannah’s hair looked like milk chocolate and caramel swirl, and he loved the contrast.

“You are evil.”

“Speaking of evil, what are you reading today?” Blake plucked the book peeking up from her apron pocket and ignored her soft protest as he read the title. “A Loving Scoundrel.” He glanced over the candy-ass-looking dude on the cover and snorted.

Suddenly, the book was snatched from him, and she smacked him on the shoulder with it. “It’s good. Reading improves your vocabulary, your imagination, your—”