bag rolled up and was working on the second. “And food. Whatever he wants. We can buy him a fucking Quarter Pounder if he likes.”
Kayla laughed and cradled the dog against her chest. “Using bribery to make sure he never leaves again, huh?”
She laughed and turned toward the Jeep, cooing sweet words in the dog’s ear. He knew she couldn’t hear him, but he still spoke the words softly as he doused the fire.
“Whatever it takes,” he murmured, smoke billowing around him. “Just so she doesn’t leave again.”
It was stupid and selfish, and he had absolutely no plan for how he’d ever find a way to be worthy of her. To give her the sort of relationship she deserved.
But as she turned and smiled at him, he could swear she looked right into his soul.
For the first time in his life, that voice in the back of his mind whispered the one word he’d always wanted to hear:
Maybe.
Chapter Sixteen
Kayla surveyed the park, admiring the fluttering aspens and the red-and-blue playground equipment anchored in an ocean of fragrant cedar chips. Gripping Fireball’s leash in one hand, she touched Tony’s arm with the other.
“Is that her?” She nodded toward the picnic table a few feet from the restrooms. “The dead ringer for Rihanna?”
Damn, the woman was gorgeous. Thick braids and flawless brown skin set off by a row of bright red bracelets on her left wrist. And smart as hell, from what Tony had told her. Jaylin had a PhD in psychology and flew all over the world offering workshops for smokejumpers and medics and other first responders. Though she’d met Tony in New Zealand, they hadn’t dated until years later in Montana.
“That’s her,” Tony said. “Nose in a book, perpetually early. I always dug that about her.”
Kayla nodded, shoving against another swell of jealousy. “You sure you’re okay with this? It’s not taking a toll, hearing all this feedback from exes?”
He hesitated. “I’m good with it. I needed to hear the not-so-flattering stuff.”
Don’t we all. Kayla bit back the words, curious which things had struck the most chords with Tony.
She’d sure as hell learned a lot about herself over the course of this trip. Her self-awareness was at an all-time high, though she still had plenty to learn.
Her awareness of Tony, on the other hand…well, that was the thing. How had she never noticed before how quick he was to acknowledge his own faults? To apologize for missteps and pledge to do better? When they’d dated, she’d always admired his kindness, but had she ever noticed his earnestness? His desire to be a good guy, even if he didn’t get it right 100 percent of the time?
He kept trying, and God, she admired him for it.
As Jaylin looked up and waved them over, Kayla pushed aside her own questions to focus on Tony’s. “Showtime,” she said. “You didn’t tell her we’re together, did you?”
“I didn’t say one way or the other. What do you think would be best?”
Kayla considered that. “Just friends,” she said, despite the overpowering urge to lace her fingers through his. “I think we’ll get straighter answers that way.”
“Good thinking.” They started toward Jaylin, still well out of earshot, but Tony lowered his voice anyway. “Have I thanked you lately for pushing me to do this?”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and bumped him with her elbow. “Which of us is closest to winning the bet?”
“I have no idea at this point.”
Neither did she, and honestly, she kept forgetting they’d made one. It seemed like a lifetime ago they’d sat in her guest room debating whether Tony was just a bad boyfriend or a guy with serious commitment issues. Right now, he was just Tony—kind, sensitive, funny, too-hard-on-himself Tony—the man she knew on a whole different level than the one who’d left with her on this road trip.
They were almost to the table, and Jaylin folded her book and stood to greet them. “What a cute little dog!” She stooped down to pet Fireball, who pranced and wagged before hopping up on his hind legs to lick his new best friend’s face. “Aren’t you just the sweetest? Yes, you are! What a good boy.”
Kayla laughed, charmed by anyone so happy to meet her dog. He really was a good boy. The best, when he wasn’t running off into the woods and scaring them half to death.
Jaylin straightened and smiled, wiping her hands on her designer jeans. “Tony, I’m sure you’re a good boy, too.” Her smile was wide and warm,