We moved inside when the night air got chilly, and I was curled up on what I’m sure in its day was called a davenport, across from Lucas, who was sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace, which was crackling away comfortably. Ella and Louie were on the record player now, singing “You Can’t Take That Away from Me.”

And speaking of records, for the record, no redhead should ever sit in front of a fire. Because it’s just not fair to the fire. Honestly, the way the firelight caught his hair, throwing flashes of burnt orange and whiskey honey around the room, it was just . . . not fair.

As I was ruminating on this, my phone rang. Surprised, considering it was well after nine, I looked at the phone and saw that it was Lou.

“Hey, Lou, what’s shaking?” I asked, laughing when I realized I was speaking in Rat Pack. Lucas just shook his head, snapped his fingers, and pointed at me. Ring a ding.

“Hey, Chloe, you ready to get your first dog?”

“Huh?” I asked gracefully.

“Got a call about a dog they picked up in Salinas. Looks like it might have been a bait dog, lots of old scars.”

“Okay,” I said, clutching the phone.

“They’re gonna hold him for you to pick up tomorrow morning; I’ll email you the details. Okay?”

“Okay,” I repeated, eyes wide.

“Easy, princess—you’ll be fine.”

“But we’re not ready yet, there’s still so much to be done and—”

“You’ve got the pens ready, right?”

“Yes.”

“And food and water?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then you’ll be fine,” he said, his voice kind. “You can’t always wait until everything’s perfect—sometimes it happens when it’s not supposed to. You roll with it, right?”

“Right,” I whispered, looking at Lucas, who was by now on the couch next to me.

“I’ll call you in the morning, and don’t worry so much. You’re going on your first freedom ride! Enjoy it!”

“I will, Lou, and thanks for calling. I’ve got this, no problem.”

“I know. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Oh, and Chloe?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t wear your tiara—that dog’s already gonna be spooked enough as it is.”

“You’re pretty funny for an old hippie,” I cracked, and he hung up the phone laughing.

“What’s going on?” Lucas asked.

I sat back against the couch. “I’m getting my first dog tomorrow—I have to pick him up in Salinas.”

“That’s great! Congratulations!” he said. “Want me to go with you?”

I did. I really did. But I needed to do this on my own. So I shook my head and politely declined.

“Well, if you change your mind, just call me. I’m taking the late shift tomorrow night, so my morning’s free. You let me know.”

“Thanks, but I’ll be okay. I’ll be fine.” I nodded my head vigorously.

“Well, then, I’ll let you get some sleep for your big day.”

He helped me bring the cups into the kitchen, then I walked him to the door. He lingered a bit in the open doorway. “So listen, tonight. I had a really good time.”

“As good as paddleboarding?” I asked, smiling up at him.

“Different kind of good time.” He nodded, and leaned down. I held my breath. But all he did was place a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Good luck tomorrow. You call me if you decide you need some help, promise?” he whispered.

I could only nod. Because his lips on my forehead were, in fact, enough to make me breathless.

“Night, Chloe.”

Then he was off the porch and into his truck, starting the ignition. As his taillights splashed across the back of my convertible, I realized . . . Fudge—I can’t pick up a pit bull in a convertible!

“Hey, Lucas, wait! I need your truck tomorrow!” I called out, running after him.

Ah, well, you couldn’t do everything alone.

Chapter nine

Lucas picked me up bright and early, with coffee and donuts from Red’s: every kind of chocolate donut they made, apparently. He’d brought me chocolate glazed, devil’s food, chocolate cream filled, and even half a dozen chocolate donut holes.

“There were originally a dozen, but they were rather demanding,” he said with a sheepish grin.

“The donut holes were demanding?”

“That I eat them, yes.”

“Well, donut holes’ll do that from time to time.” I snorted and took the bag from him.

“Based on the pudding and the Pop-Tarts, chocolate seemed like the way to go,” he said, side-eyeing me as he spoke.

“Safe bet,” I answered, cramming one into my mouth. “Niiiiice.”

We drove along, heading inland toward Salinas. My knee was swinging back and forth, my hand was tapping on my thigh as I chain-ate donut holes one right after the other.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“A little,” I admitted. “Is that weird?”

“Not even a little,” he assured.

“It’s just . . . I don’t know, it’s like my first day on a job. Up until now, it’s just been painting and fixing and filing and planning. But now?”

“Now it’s real,” he said, answering my unasked question.

“Exactly. Now it’s real.” I popped in another donut hole, chewed, then said, “What if I suck?”