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“I just wanted to remind you that you have a date with me tomorrow for some girly shopping awesomeness!”

Hannah rolled her eyes. “I know, even if I didn’t have you in my calendar, I wouldn’t forget.”

“Just making sure, because I know how you get. If you can weasel your ass out of this, you will, and I will not allow it!”

“You know you missed your calling as a dictator, right?”

“Who says I can’t still rule a country someday with an iron fist?”

“Speaking of jobs, I just got offered a part-time position at Fairview Elementary teaching the afternoon kindergarten I’ve been doing all week.”

Nicki whooped so loudly, Hannah had to hold the phone away from her ear. “That is fantastic, babe!”

“Thanks, I think so.”

“Well, congratulations! This just means we’ll have more to celebrate when we meet up for shopping tomorrow!”

Hannah grimaced at the reminder of the ball. “Are you sure . . . ”

“Oops, got to go, sweets. There is a cute guy next to me at the light. I’m gonna see if he wants my number. Love you!”

The call ended, and Hannah slipped her phone into her pocket. She’d just gotten a job and was going to spend some quality time with her best friend this weekend. She wasn’t going to dwell on Blake or any other guy.

In this moment, life was good.

BLAKE AND A large group of military personnel sat in the auditorium at Alpha Dog while Evelyn Reynolds stood on stage, going over her plans for the ball the next weekend. Apparently, it wasn’t just a plan, but an actual reality with sold-out tickets, a booked venue, and a caterer.

“There will be approximately two hundred women at this event, and we want them happy. Ecstatic even. So, I will need at least two hundred volunteers to entertain them. Dance with them, sit with them, and make them feel special. We do not want anyone left out or alienated. Am I clear?”

Eve’s commanding voice was answered by a hum of grumbles. He wasn’t the only one unhappy about being forced to participate in this farce.

“This event has brought in ten thousand dollars so far, including raffle-ticket sales. The potential is closer to thirty, so please, take this seriously. We are really close to opening a second Alpha Dog location up the road for female offenders, and if we’re successful with this fundraiser, we could be ready as soon as April. The goal here is to help more kids and more dogs, so stop your bitching, Tyler Best—”

Tyler, who was sitting next to him, sat up straight and glared at her. “I wasn’t saying shit.”

“You were thinking it.”

Tyler mumbled something about “crazy,” and Martinez, who was sitting on the other side of Best, punched him in the arm.

“Please be at the location at six in the morning on Friday to help set up and arrive between seven and seven thirty that night to await our guests. Doors will open at eight, and the event will end at one in the morning. Be professional, but attentive. I will be there to handle any problems. You’re free to go.”

Blake stood up, wishing he could tell Eve and her ball to suck it, but he liked Eve. She was trying to help the program. He could put his comfort aside for that.

“So, how’s Hannah?” Best asked behind him.

“There is nothing going on there, I’ve told you this.” And the words were total bullshit.

He was back to avoiding Dale’s like a pussy, and after two sessions with Dr. Stabler, he was ready to move to the woods and be a hermit. She kept pressing him about Hannah, Jenny, why he felt guilty about moving on, and he was already exhausted. He would love to avoid his appointment this afternoon, but after his meeting with the general the other day, he knew that wasn’t an option if he wanted to remain at Alpha Dog.

“Dude, why the hell haven’t you talked to her?” Best asked, bringing him out of his head. “She seems nice, and she’s pretty. And all those curves will keep you nice and warm at night—hey!”

Blake had spun around and had Tyler by the front of his shirt.

“Shut. Up.”

“Easy there, Kline, don’t hurt the guy.” Martinez’s jovial tone cut through the red cloud of rage, and Blake let Best go.

“Sorry, man.”