Page 60 of Sincerely, Mr. Braden

She grins. “Wait, Mr. Wildly Confident who borders on arrogant in the business world, which you’ve totally earned, is jealous over me? That doesn’t even make sense.”

Her words hit as wrong as anything ever has. “Jesus, El. Do you really believe that?” I don’t wait for an answer. “For the record, if your friend tries to butter your bread, he and I are going to have words.”

She laughs.

I hug her against my side. “Are you enjoying my discomfort?”

She whispers, “A little bit,” and gifts me with another sweet laugh.

The kennel door swings open, and a fluffy white dog with brown patches spots Ellie and barks, making a beeline for her like a furry cannonball.

“Barney!” She crouches, and the fluffy pooch barrels into her, all paws and tongue and swatting tail.

Barney’s excitement knocks her off-balance, and I catch her as I lower myself to one knee. “Hey, buddy,” I say, petting Barney. He unleashes a slobbery assault on me, too. As if he can’t decide who to lick, Barney goes between me and Ellie, licking one and then the other. We laugh, loving up the world’s happiest dog.

“He’s always happier when Taylor’s around,” Joe says from the doorway.

I glance at Ellie, pink-cheeked and bright-eyed, and say, “I know the feeling.”

When we get to the park, I fill my pockets with dog treats. Barney has already claimed the Frisbee and holds it firmly in his mouth as he trots ahead on the walking path through sun-dappled woods. Ellie’s hand is warm in mine. She squeezes it every now and then, like she’s checking to make sure I’m really here.

“Is this the part where you lure me into the woods and take advantage of me?” I tease.

She flashes a playful smile. “You wish.”

“Yes, I do,” I admit, steering her around a rock sticking up in the dirt.

“This leads to a field where I can let Barney off leash. I like to come here to clear my head. Where do you go to clear your head? Do you have a thinking spot?”

“I’ve never stayed anywhere long enough to designate one.”

“Hm. No safe haven beyond your family and no thinking spot. Sounds like you’re an island.”

“I’ve been called worse. I usually go for a run when I need to clear my head, but I’ve also gotten pretty good at blocking people out so I can analyze my thoughts no matter where I am.”

“That’s where we differ.” She leans into me. “You analyze, and I overthink. Being here gives me something else to focus on.”

“Ah, I get it. A pretty enough canvas to distract you from your thoughts.”

“Exactly.”

The trees give way to sunlight spilling over a grassy field. Barney bolts forward, snapping the leash from Ellie’s hand. She gasps, but I’m already sprinting after him. I catch the leash, and the second I unclip it, Barney runs like it’s his first taste of freedom.

“Thank you,” Ellie calls out as I jog back to her. “He knows this is his place to run free, but he usually waits until I take the leash off.”

“No worries.” I steal a quick kiss as Barney races back, the Frisbee still clamped in his mouth. He drops it at my feet, tail wagging. “Ready, buddy?”

“Such a good boy,” Ellie says, showering him with attention.

As she pushes to her feet, I offer her the Frisbee. “Want to take the first throw?”

“No.” She waves me off. “You go ahead. Show me what you’ve got.”

“A’right. Come on, Barn.” I step away and launch the Frisbee across the field. It cuts through the air, and Barney races after it. I toss Ellie an arrogant smirk.

“Show-off,” she teases.

“I can’t bake bread, but I can throw a hell of a Frisbee.”