Page 5

He blinked.

We headed inside to start our new lives.

Chapter2

Jeremy

Mornings weremy favorite time of day.Mornings in SoCal were glorious and, to my delight, this stunning sky was streaked with pink, purple, and orange light hitting the clouds in that stunning way that always stole my breath.Mornings where I was on my own were the best.

Naturally, I had to stop and take a picture of the sky.Because what else did one do when presented with such majesty?With nature in all her glory?

I checked my smartwatch stats for running distance, average pace, and heart rate.All looked great.I resumed my run toward the corner of the walkway in the park and…barreled right into the leash of a dog.I barely caught myself—but managed.My first concern was for the dog which appeared terrified as I nearly fell on it.

I crouched.What an adorable little dog.“Hi, sweetheart.Are you okay?”I held out my hand.

The dog sniffed, then launched herself at me.

Herself?

Himself?

I had no idea.

She planted herself against my chest and began a thorough licking.

Her body felt heavy for her size, and as I petted her, I noted she was pretty round and chubby.None of my concern, though.

I should probably look up for her human, right?The owner might not want some stranger loving on their dog.

So I ran my gaze upward.Sensible walking shoes.Worn jeans.A USC sweatshirt.

An adorable man.Clean-shaven.Dark-blond hair.Sunglasses that hid his eyes.A sweet face.Just…perfection.

Slowly, I disentangled myself from the dog.“Okay, sweetheart, let me sayhito your daddy.”Just as slowly, I rose.I was taller than the guy—who appeared so young that he might still be a USC student.I held out my hand.“Jeremy.Apologies…I sort of love dogs.”

After a long hesitation, the young man stuck out his hand while staring at the ground.“Phillip.”

His shyness spoke to me.“And your dog?”

“Oh, right.”He stammered that out.“Wally.His name’s Wally.”He drew in a breath.“I only rescued him yesterday.So, like, less than twenty-four hours ago.So he came this way, right?Fat?I didn’t make him fat.He’s not following after me.I mean, I’m obviously overweight.And I didn’t always used to be.So we’re, like, walking.We’re going to do that every day—rain or shine.And a diet.We’re both on a diet.Well, he’s on a reduced quantity diet.With diet food.Me?I’m just trying to eat healthier.And less, right?”He pressed a hand to his forehead.“And you didn’t need to know any of that.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Phillip.”I gazed down at a clearly adoring Wally.“I think it’s great you rescued Wally.He’s damn lucky to have you.”

“I think…maybe so.”

His expression was so damn uncertain—what with the furrow in his brow.I didn’t know how to reassure him.Or maybe Wally wasn’t lucky.Maybe they wouldn’t be a good fit.“Would you like to walk for a bit?”

“You were running.”Again with the uncertainty.

“I need to cool down now.I’m not far from my house.Today’s a short run.”

“Uh, sure.”He slowly guided Wally to him.“We’re not far from home either.I wanted to, uh, get the lay of the land.Figure out where everything is.”

“You’re new to Gaynor Beach?Or just to Riverside?I grew up in Marina Park but wanted to get away from my family.Which is like a whole mile away.”I laughed.“And although I’m somewhat successful, I’m not Marina Park successful like my dad.”

He cocked his head.

“A more-expensive part of town.I might buy there eventually, but I really like the Riverside community.Lots of working families.Tons of kids.”