Chapter 8 M.

The warm morning sun shone across the park, causing the dew on the grass to sparkle. Every weekend the girls would go for their morning walk along the water's edge, Everly's favorite place to be. She loved listening to the ducks and birds chirping. Occasionally you'd see a fish jump.

Last year their mayor had a path paved along the water for bikers and joggers and benches placed all along it to sit on. This spring they set up an icecream truck-a hit with the town. The girls decided to treat themselves after their long walk. Everly sat on a park bench, happily digging into her hot fudge sundae, while Angel and Hanna sat beside her. Angel's strawberry cone was dipped in chocolate and Hanna's triple-scoop monstrosity of chocolate, mint chip, and mango was so high it was leaning. Everly was sure she was going to wear it before she finished eating it all.

"How is Jace doing?" asked Everly between scoops.

"He said he's feeling much better, but I think it's still sore. I've seen him limping when he thinks I'm not looking," said Hannah.

"Dog bites take a while to heal," said Angel licking her cone. "I've seen so many in ER but his was a clean cut so he was very fortunate, it should heal quickly."

Everly took another spoonful of her sundae, the rich chocolate sauce coating her tongue in a velvety sweetness. "Mmm, this is amazing," she mumbled, mostly to herself, her focus solely on the delightful dessert in front of her.

Hannah held hers up, "Look how huge this is!"

Angel started laughing, "That's what she said!"

"OMGoodness Angel!" laughed Everly. Everly glanced at her friends wondering why they went quiet.

"Oh, no," Angel whispered.

Hannah wiggled in her seat looking like she was bracing herself. Everly raised an eyebrow. "What's up with you guys?"

Before they could answer, a familiar blur of fur shot across the park. Caesar. Everly barely had time to react before the enthusiastic Australian Shepherd lunged toward her at full speed, tail wagging, tongue out, and zero sense of personal space.

"Caesar—NO!"

The next few seconds were a blur. Everly clutched her sundae, but it was no use—Caesar was determined to be in her lap, on her, around her, wherever he could be. His paws landed on her legs, and— SPLAT. Hot fudge. Melted ice cream. Whipped cream. All down the front of her shirt. Caesar, now partially covered in chocolate sauce, sat happily at her feet, looking immensely proud of himself.

"Yep," Angel said, staring. "That went exactly how I imagined."

Hannah was dying of laughter. "I—I can't breathe—"

Everly closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she saw him -Alexander, sprinting toward them, looking horrified. He was wearing a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his muscular arms. Everly couldn't take her eyes off him.

"Oh no—Everly! I—Caesar! What did you do?"

The second her name left his lips, both Angel and Hanna gasped. They turned to Everly, eyes wide.

"You know him?!" they said in unison.

Everly wiped some whipped cream off her arm. "Yes," she said embarrassed. "I know him."

She shot a look at Alexander, who was trying (and failing) to scold his very happy dog.

"He was in my clinic last week when Caesar thought he could herd the neighbors' cats but got his poor nose all scratched by that mean kitty."

Angel's jaw dropped. Hannah just stared at her, "And you never felt the need to share this with us?"

Alexander groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I'm really sorry about—" He motioned vaguely to her ice-cream-covered self.

"Caesar just loves her," Hanna said, wiggling her eyebrows. "I wonder where he got that from."

Everly fought a smile. Alexander was definitely blushing. "I'll make it up to you," he said, pulling off his hoodie and handing it to her. "And I'll buy you a new sundae."

Everly hesitated. Not because she was mad—she wasn't. In fact, if she was being honest, she'd kind of enjoyed their interactions, well except for the Ice cream all over her part. And, well… he was cute. And funny. And smelled really, really good.

"Sure," she said, standing up. "But if Caesar ruins this one, you're buying me ice cream for a year."

Alexander grinned. "Deal."

As they walked off toward the ice cream stand, Angel and Hannah whispered behind her: "Go Everly Go!" and sent out a whistle. Everly rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. Especially when

Alexander leaned down and said, just for her to hear, "For the record, I think Caesar has good taste." She definitely blamed the sun for the way her face suddenly felt warm. Looking up at him, she thought "This day is turning out quite nice!"