“I know, but my brother-in-law produces Behind the Blue, and he has consultants. According to him, viewers don’t always want realistic,” she says before taking a bite of taco. Her eyes close in what I hope is pure bliss while my mind sorts through the information she’s giving me. I have no idea who her brother-in-law is, and even if she told me, I wouldn’t have a clue. Hollywood has never come calling on me.
“I’ve watched that one a few times. Tell him he does a good job.” I manage to eat two tacos while she eats half of hers. “Good?”
“The best. I’d almost forgotten how they tasted,” she says softly, then resumes eating.
I swear I could sit here and watch her all night. Her movements are elegant and refined. You can tell that she’s had a different kind of upbringing than mine.
“When you go for your walk, stay away from Fifth and Trellis. When I was with Forrestville PD, we had a lot of calls from that area.”
“Duly noted.”
“And once the time changes, you’ll need to be out of here before five. There aren’t many lights. Developers are trying to keep light pollution at a minimum.” I finish my third taco and start on my fourth. “Where else do you like to go?”
“I mostly stay in this area. Haven’t ventured any farther since I don’t—well, I didn’t know what areas to avoid,” she says.
“That’s smart.”
Evangeline gives me a pleased smile and her back straightens. “That’s a nice compliment, especially coming from a policeman.”
I wonder when the last time was that a man gave her a compliment. In my experience, abusers don’t stay content with verbal or physical abuse for very long. They start to mix things up to see how their target responds.
Jake leans his head against my thigh and lets out a contented huff.
“Know how you feel, boy,” I whisper to him.
“I got a job,” Evangeline says.
“That’s great.” I mean it. Anything that reeks of normalcy is a plus in my book.
“Saylor said that you mentioned I might be looking for one.”
My neck gets hot, but there’s no need to lie to her. “Yeah, she’s been looking for help, and from what I know about you, you’re someone she can trust with animals.”
She blinks at me. Then that confident smile of hers returns, making me want to be the one behind it. “Thank you.”
“No problem.” Wiping my hands, I begin to clean up our trash. “Guess I’ll get Jake back home. He has an appointment with Netflix.”
“You’re leaving already?” she asks, confusion filling her pretty eyes as she starts helping me.
“Well, yeah, but that doesn’t mean you have to. The park’s a public place.” I throw our trash away. “And you have at least two more hours of sunlight. Next month is a different story.”
Her forehead wrinkles slightly. “I don’t know,” she says slowly as she looks around. “It’s almost September and the light’s faded a lot since I first got here.”
I choose my next words carefully. “Would you like to walk home with me…and Jake?”
Nodding, Evangeline checks the table one last time before joining us. Although she stays on Jake’s side, it feels like I’m back in school, escorting the prom queen.
I make a noise.
“Are you okay?” she asks, peering at me.
“Memories of high school.”
“Those were the days.”
“No college?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Not really. You?”
“I joined the force right out of high school. Lots of training.” I shorten my naturally fast-paced strides so she doesn’t have to attempt to keep up with me. Plus, I want to draw out my time with her for as long as possible. The park isn’t far from Rose Haven.
“Why?”
“Short answer—wanted to fight the bad guys.”
“And the long answer?” she asks.
“That would require another trip to Domingo’s.”
“I…um…okay.”
Holy shit. She said yes. All right, it was an okay, but it wasn’t a no. For a man who is supposed to be trained in expecting the unexpected, I sure as hell didn’t see that answer coming. This entire afternoon was a fluke in my mind. I half-expected Evangeline to leave at any moment.
“Same time tomorrow?” I ask, waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for her to change her mind.
“As long as I get to play with Jake,” she says as we arrive home. “Thanks again for the tacos.”
“Thanks for the company.” I run my hand around my neck, squeezing tight. “Wasn’t sure if I would see you again.” Yeah, I probably shouldn’t bring that up, but this woman is a closed book. If I could get a glimpse at the table of contents, that would be more than helpful.
“I was a little rude,” she admits, her gaze on Jake. “But I meant what I said about not wanting to get involved with anyone.”
Well, shit. I know she feels this way, but I would have to be high to expect her to do a one eighty after only one date that wasn’t even a date. “I figured as much.”
Her gaze lifts to mine. The raw vulnerability on her face sucker punches me in the gut. “However, I’d really like friends again. All of mine are gone.”
“He took those away from you, too?” The urge to comfort her rides me hard. Gripping Jake’s leash tighter, I fist my free hand to keep from touching her. Can’t blow this moment with her.