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She kept her eyes on the dog, ready to pounce, but her foot sunk into the street, her body contorted, and she crashed into the hard pavement.
“Allison!” Reid’s rough tone carried through the mid-morning air.
Pain vibrated up her ankle and into her calf. “Son of a bitch, that hurt.”
She was in the middle of the road and should probably move, but she took a second to center herself. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. A cold, wet sensation swiped up her cheek, and she opened her eyes just as Charlie’s tongue came in for another swipe.
Ignoring the pain in her ankle, she grabbed the dog and held him against her chest.
“Are you okay?” Reid asked, dropping to his knee. He cupped her cheek, the heat of his hand sinking into her skin and spreading through. The unexpected gesture had her blinking at him, unable to speak. “Allison?” His blue eyes narrowed in concern. The scowl that she thought was a permanent fixture on his face drooped into worry.
“I caught Charlie.” She held the fluffball up like he was an Emmy.
Reid wrapped the leash around Charlie, making a makeshift collar, and tucked the pup under his arm. His other arm reached out to her. She took his hand and let him help her up.
“You could have seriously hurt yourself,” he grumbled.
“I got the dog, and that’s what was important.”
“I could have got the dog without you nosediving into concrete.”
“I didn’t nosedive, thank you very much.” She went to walk away, but as soon as she put pressure on her foot, her knee buckled. She swayed, but before she could go down, Reid was beside her. His strong arm wrapped around her waist, and she leaned into him.
“Take Charlie,” he said.
She could barely walk, so she didn’t think she could manage holding the dog, too. Reid thrust the fluffster into her arms, and with Charlie’s goofy grin coming at her, she couldn’t deny him. She took the dog, and Reid bent, scooping her into his arms in one fluid movement.
“Hey!” she exclaimed. “Put me down.”
“You can barely walk.
“I can walk just fine. I just needed a minute.”
“You can still have your minute. No one is stopping you.”
Charlie licked her face, and she turned to get away from the over eager tongue, which only put her face mere inches from Reid’s. The air between them sparked. His jaw was set in its usual stone, his blue eyes softening even if for only a quick flash before focusing on the road in front of them.
“Someone really needs to fix that damn pothole,” he snapped as he picked up speed and stormed toward her car.
“I’m sure not many people are out running in the street.” She focused her attention on Charlie, holding the little guy against her chest and giving him scratches behind the ear.
“No, but I already know a few people who have gotten flat tires in the last couple of weeks. The town should have taken care of it by now.”
“You’re buddy buddy with the mayor. Why don’t you give her a call?”
“Yeah right. If anything, thanks to you, I’m on thin ice with Madam Mayor. It’s best I steer clear of her for a bit.”
“I don’t know what you’re complaining about. You got the funding.”
“Along with a million phone calls asking if my budget was going to affect this group, or this club, or that one. My entire day was shot to shit, thanks to you.”
“I’m just out here ruining your life, aren’t I?”
“Something like that.” A tiny smile quirked at the edge of his mouth, and Allison silently fist bumped the air. He was always so stoic, and any positive reaction she could get out of him was a small victory.
Luna jumped out of the car. “Oh my God. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Allison leaned into Reid. “Can you put me down before my sister has a coronary?” When he didn’t as much as loosen his grip, she swatted his chest. “Now. I had my minute. I’m good.”
