She hugged Rhonda and Karen, promising again to call tomorrow to check on the pointer, then turned to Gabe awkwardly. She sucked in the side of her cheek and stuck out her hand. “It was really nice meeting you.”

He gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head, causing Olivia to wonder whether or not to pull her hand back. Before she determined what to do, he closed his hand over hers but didn’t shake it. His gaze shifted from her to Ava, then to her again. “Do you have a minute?”

Ava’s eyebrows nearly disappeared into her hairline. “She can have several. I’ll be in my Jeep checking my email…assuming I’m lucky enough to get reception.”

Olivia’s palms broke out in a sweat. “I need to grab my things from your truck anyway.” Doing her best to appear more confident than she felt, she trailed outside after her sister with Gabe following just behind her. Her pulse began to sprint.

Gabe followed her around to the passenger-side door. As she grabbed her things, he opened the back door and placed the stool for Samson to hop down. “You probably need to stretch your legs a minute, bud.”

When’s the last time you met someone sweet enough to always make sure his dog had his needs met like that? Never, that’s when.

Olivia tucked her jacket over her arm but left her purse clutched in front of her like an added layer of protection against the wave of uncertainty rocking her.

“Look,” Gabe said, dragging one hand through his hair. “I want to apologize.”

“You don’t have to,” she burst out before he could finish. “It was clearly me who started it.”

A crooked smile lit his face, tugging Olivia’s heartstrings. “Olivia, I’m not apologizing for kissing you. I’m apologizing for being the guy that gave serious consideration to leaving you stranded at that gas station because of a bunch of stupid baggage that’s been weighing me down.”

Olivia smashed her lips together. There was no denying it now; she was very close to crying. “It’s okay. You didn’t know me from anything.”

“That’s what I keep thinking. I could’ve missed this opportunity. I could’ve missed out on today. And it was the best day I’ve had in a long time.” He swept his thumb over the corner of her eye, brushing away a stray tear she’d not realized had slipped out. It was so dark out here, just a single floodlight shining onto the pavement, and he’d still spotted it. Maybe it was because he was looking at her as if he couldn’t see anything else.

“You saved that dog’s life today.”