She could tell she caught him off guard when she went up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “I’m not. It was well worth it.” Before he could reply to that audacious statement, she left him to rejoin her friends.

Sydney spent the entire next day debating Luke’s invitation. She went through the motions of cleaning the large Victorian house, changing sheets, grocery shopping, walking Buddy. One minute, she was going to Luke’s for dinner. The next minute, she’d talked herself out of it.

By four o’clock, she had worn herself out.

“It’s just dinner,” she told Buddy.

He stared at her, almost as if he was calling her out on her bullshit.

“Did I tell you he kissed me?”

Buddy continued the ruthless stare.

“It was a good kiss. A really good kiss.” She went upstairs with the dog trailing behind her. “If I go over there, it’ll happen again.”

Sydney stretched out on the bed.

Buddy jumped up and settled next to her.

She ran her fingers through his silky hair. “I want to go,” she whispered. “Does that make me a bad person?” Sydney realized she was actually expecting Buddy to answer her. Rather, he let out a deep sigh, as if her pontificating annoyed him. “I know what you mean, Buddy. I’m sick of me, too.”

Sydney watched the ceiling fan for a long time. “All right. I’ll go, but only if you come with me.”

He extended his paw.

Smiling, Sydney took it and gave it a shake. “Deal.”

As the sun dipped low over the pond, she grabbed a bottle of wine and the brownies she’d baked and headed for the car with Buddy tagging along at her heels.

Driving the familiar roads that led to Luke’s house brought back a slew of memories of his old pickup, of late nights and summer breezes, of first love and heart-pounding desire.

Sydney couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so nervous. At least she hadn’t fretted over what to wear. She’d chosen a denim skirt with a white T-shirt and sandals. Luke was the most casual person she’d ever known, so there was no point in dressing up for him. He’d never been impressed by style or flash.

She pulled onto the long dirt road that led to his house at the end. As she navigated the final turn, the nerves she’d battled all day resurfaced. What am I doing? He didn’t say what time. What if he’s not even home?

His warmly lit house came into view. At least he was home. She turned in next to the dark green pickup truck that was parked behind the house. Before she could chicken out, she opened the car door.