Page 74 of Nobody Told Me Thrift Shops Sell Stolen Dragon Heirlooms

“I’m not going to lie to anyone or steal anything.”

“That shouldn’t need saying.”

“The way your face looks right now? It did.”

Despite myself, I exhaled. It was nearly a laugh. Not quite, but enough that her smile warmed. “I’ll come with you.”

Quinn turned back, and before I could step forward, she placed one hand lightly against my chest. The contact was brief. A simple pressure through my jacket and shirt, barely enough to stop me.

I felt it everywhere.

She didn’t seem to notice what she’d done to me, which was fortunate, because I had no immediate plan for surviving it with dignity.

“You can’t,” she said gently.

“I can.”

“Technically, yes. Socially, no.” Her hand remained there another second, warm and steady, then fell away. “Something’s off.”

“Other than Ms. Sorel avoiding me?”

“No one’s asking about Max.”

I glanced down. “Is that unusual?”

“Rafe, my life is mostly answering questions about this dog while trying to exist in public. At a charity event for service dogs, people should be lining up to ask his name.”

Max’s ears shifted.

“They keep looking,” she said. “Then they look at you.”

I understood immediately. “I’m discouraging them.”

“A little.”

“I haven’t even spoken to them.”

“You don’t have to.” Her mouth curved, but she stayed focused. “Let me take him near the photo display for a few minutes. Alone, but still where you can see us. Max becomes approachable, people come over, and maybe we find someone who knows the room better than we do.”

Quinn had read the room correctly. My presence opened certain doors, but it also made people straighten their backs and think before speaking. Max, standing beside me, looked less like a beloved retired working dog and more like part of an expensive security arrangement.

“Five minutes,” I said.

“Ten.”

“Seven.”

“This is not a hostage negotiation.”

“Then don’t negotiate like it is one.”

Her smile brightened. “Eight.”

I exhaled. “Fine. Eight minutes.”

“Excellent.” Quinn adjusted Max’s leash, her fingers light and sure. “Max, we have a work assignment.”

Then she started forward.