She lets out a tiny laugh as she shoots me a look of wry disbelief. “Okay, flatterer, quit stalling. What’s this big breakthrough?”

I let her change the subject to safer territory because we do have somewhere to be. “I’ll explain in the car. Come on, let’s go before it gets too dark.” I jerk my head toward my car and her brow crinkles.

“Where are we going?”

“Get in and you’ll see,” I tell her as I hold my hand wide in invitation.

She sighs around a smile she’s fighting and calls back into the house, “I’m going out for a while. Don’t wait up.”

“I won’t,” Jacob yells from what sounds to be a few feet away. “’Sup, Blake?”

Zoey opens the door a bit wider to show Jacob sitting on the couch, headphones on and video game controller in hand. I throw him a two-finger wave and he lifts his chin, eyes making a quick jump to me and then refocusing on the game again. Zoey closes the door and then gives me that full-wattage smile. “Okay, wow me with your genius, Mr. Hale. Whatcha got?”

“First, there’s someone who wants to say hello.” I open the back door to reveal Chunky sitting in the backseat with a specially-made dog seatbelt on.

“Chunky!” Zoey exclaims as her hands cover her mouth and then instantly reverse course to reach out to pet my dog, who’s wiggling excitedly. “What’re you doing here, sweet boy? Oh, yes, it’s good to see you too!”

Her voice is high and giggly as she bends forward to scratch and pet Chunky. His tongue goes nuts, licking air and licking Zoey’s face. “No kisses, Chunkster. Those’re for me only,” I scold, though it’s with a smile because Zoey shoots me a dagger-filled look.

“I’ll have you know I can kiss anyone I want.” Sassiness looks good on her.

As if he agrees, Chunky’s excitement is too much for his little round body and he leaps toward Zoey. She tries to catch him, but the seatbelt doesn’t let him get far, yanking him back to his seat.

The back and forth movement throws Zoey off balance, her ass hitting the ground before I can catch her.

“Oh, shit, let me help.” I slip my hands under her arms to hike her up. “You okay?” Instead of Zoey, Chunky answers in a whine that draws my attention. “Chunks, you okay, too?”

Luckily, Zoey seems steady on her feet because Chunky has one foot held up to show me that he’s tangled in the seatbelt that is supposed to keep him safe. I get him situated and feel eyes on me. I turn to see Zoey pressing her lips together gleefully. “Good to see where I rate.”