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Maisie stood braced, body angled toward the water, tail flipping side to side with enthusiasm. A cluster of ducks bobbed just offshore, blissfully unaware they were the focus of a very serious hunt that would never happen.

Felicity poured water into a bowl and set it on the grass. She leaned back and stretched her legs out in front of her, popping the tab on her soda. The hiss cut through the morning quiet, sharp and satisfying. She took a sip, let the cold bite of it settle before reaching into the basket for her wrap — still warm, the scent of grilled chicken and something garlicky drifting up as she peeled back the paper.

Weekday mornings were the best time to visit the park.

Nothing pressing in. Nothing demanding.

Just sun. Water. Dogs.

And memories.

“I miss you, Mama,” she whispered — only realizing after the words slipped free that she’d said it in Russian.

That was happening more often lately.

It was careless. Forgetting to watch herself. Letting her guard down.

She sighed, the truth settling whether she liked it or not. That last one was on Ronan Murphy. He exuded a power, dismantling her defenses, one by—

The air shifted. She looked up sharply.

Ruth stood at the end of the bench, a wary look on her face. “Hi,” she murmured, offering a small smile. She adjusted her grip on the paper cup and muffin, fingers tightening slightly.

“Ruth.”

“I can go, but…” She bit her lip. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a few minutes of your time.”

Shit. Fuck. Damn.

The last thing she needed today was this — Ronan’s other friend showing up to warn her off. He insisted he and Ruth were just friends. She believed he believed that. Ruth, though …

People did stupid things when feelings got involved.

But she sensed no hostility from Ruth.

Not like when Bella had ambushed her.

Felicity nodded to the spot beside her. “Sure.” She shifted the basket onto the grass, making room.

“Thanks.”

Ruth placed her muffin down and reached forward to scratch behind Millie’s ears. “They seem happy.”

Felicity bristled, a sharp retort already forming.

The woman winced almost immediately. “Sorry. That came out wrong.” She gave a small, self-conscious laugh. “I don’t mean that you make them unhappy. Obviously. They just … they seem settled. Comfortable.” She glanced up, like she knew she still wasn’t quite landing it. “Like they trust you. That’s all I meant.” She covered her eyes with a small groan. “Wow. I’m really messing this up. I’m … nervous.”

“Ruth.” Felicity swallowed her impatience. “Spit it out. What do you want to say to me?”

Ruth’s expression tightened — there and gone.

Felicity caught it anyway.

And here it comes …

“I’d like us to be friends,” the woman said.

Felicity blinked. That was not what she’d expected. “Say what?”