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His eyes came back to mine, and he blew out a long breath. Then he pulled me onto his lap. He put his arms around me in a hug that was so sweet, it made my heart skip.

Daniel was really affectionate. He liked to cuddle, like a big teddy bear. I bet he was good with children. He was definitely good with baby goats.

I nuzzled his nose with mine. “You looked really handsome when I walked in,” I said quietly.

The corners of his lips quirked up. His eyes were on my mouth. “Do you have my hoodie?” he asked, his voice low.

I nodded.

He smiled. “You brought it, even though you didn’t know you were coming to see me?”

“You have to wear a stolen hoodie,” I said.

“Otherwise it’s just another senseless crime?”

“I like the way it smells,” I whispered.

He grinned and kissed me, and I was immediately forgiven.

God, I missed him. I realized it almost retroactively, but I had.

It was weird to miss someone you’d just met. But I think it was because I hadn’t gotten enough of him, either time I came. My mood improved, realizing that I had an entire weekend here—because I needed it.

This whole week had been horrible. I had to get a lawyer and a real estate agent. I was dodging Neil in my own freaking house. But I’d missed Daniel. Being on his lap, letting him hold me, smelling his warm, piney scent—it was a finally moment. Like arriving at a finish line or letting go of a breath you’ve been holding—or coming home.

It’s the release that happens when you don’t have to think about anything at all.

Thirty minutes later, Daniel had to go set up the appetizers. I snuck back into the house through the four-season porch. Hunter followed me all the way through the yard pushing his head under my hand, and when I let myself in, he tried to come in after me. I had to wrestle him back out and close the door in his face.

I was starting to develop a theory about this dog, but further observation was needed.

Jessica and Gabby were there sitting on the wicker chairs.

“Oh, hey. I went for a walk around the house. I didn’t know you guys were out,” I said, sitting in the open lounger, trying to look casual, like I hadn’t just been making out with our host in the garage.

“We knocked on your door, but you didn’t answer,” Gabby said. “Figured you were taking a nap or something. God, that dog is obsessed with you.”

I looked and laughed. Hunter had his nose pressed right on the window, breathing heavily. There were two foggy breath trails under his nostrils on the glass and his ear was inside out. He had a dragonfly on his head.

“Was the guy out there?” Gabby peered around me to the yard. “Chopping wood or…?”

“What guy?” I asked, playing dumb.

“Uh, the hot check-in guy? With the tattoos?”

I shrugged. “Didn’t see him.”

Jessica flipped through a magazine. “Maybe you should go look. Put another toy into the rotation.”

“I bet he’s outdoorsy,” Gabby said. “He looks outdoorsy. He probably smells like campfire smoke.”

“Motor oil,” Jessica said dryly. “He screams ‘I can change spark plugs.’”

Gabby laughed, and I pressed my lips into a line.

“My boyfriend before Philip was like that,” Gabby said. “He was a contractor. Handy. Did all the woodsy stuff, hunting, fishing. They bring ticks into the bed. Actual wood ticks. It’s like letting a dirty dog sleep next to you.”

Jessica chuckled.