“Is that what you think? That I don’t want to talk to you?”

“You tell me what I’m supposed to think. You come into town after years of silence, wanting to pick things up right where they were left. With benefits. Well, things change, Red. People change, damn it. I’m not that same idolizing, stupid, pathetic kid who would have rolled over like this puppy if you so much as smiled at me.”

She stared at him, as disconcerted by his self-derisive tone as by the words. “I never knew that’s how you saw yourself. I never saw you that way.”

“You never saw me at all.”

She searched his fathomless gaze, her heart melting when the puppy in his arms stretched to lick his jaw and he leaned into it, nuzzling the puppy’s face beneath his neck.

Summer wanted to be right there. She wanted to nuzzle that spot. Jealous of a puppy.

“You said being friends works for you,” he said. “But you still won’t open up to me about anything that matters—” He froze a moment, then scrubbed a hand over his face. “Jesus. I can’t believe I just said that.” Turning from her, he stared off into space. His broad shoulders were filthy and looked like he carried the weight of the world on them. She put her hands there, gently squeezed, woman enough to love the feel of the hard strength of him.

“Would you like to know why I usually get dumped by women?” he asked.

“Um, they’re farsighted?”

A low, harsh laugh escaped him. “Because I don’t open up. I don’t share myself.”

The implications of that, mixed with what he wanted from her, sank in. “Oh.”

“Yeah, how’s that for irony? I’m standing here hounding you for the very thing I’ve never given. I’m sorry for that.” He shook his head and still didn’t look at her. “Look, I’ve got to get back to work.”

“Joe—”

“And like I said, non-fire personnel aren’t allowed in here. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to go.”

Right.

She had to go.

Story of her life. Her own fault, she’d written it herself.

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Joe named the puppy Ashes for her rather disgusting love of rubbing her nose in soot. A friend of Kenny’s was indeed an arson-dog trainer who agreed to begin working with Joe and the puppy. Given that Ashes fell asleep in the middle of their first session, Joe didn’t expect any miracles.

The next day, San Diego was hit by a hot, violent summer storm. Joe and Kenny set out in it to talk to the people involved with the Creative Interiors case again, going to Ally’s Treasures first. As they ran from the truck, getting drenched in the process, the unhappy Ashes began to howl from her perch behind the wheel.