“You’re a good girl,” Reggie told her. “Thank you for enduring my indecision. It’s just I can’t concentrate this morning.”

She also hadn’t slept much the night before, and both problems were Toby’s fault.

They’d had a good time together. Being with him in the theater, his arm around her, had reminded her of how things had been all those years ago. After the movie, the three of them had gone to dinner and had spent most of their time laughing. She enjoyed his company, and Harrison’s, and she’d spent the rest of the night alternating between wishing he’d kissed her and playing a silly game of what-if.

Funny how she hadn’t thought of him in years and now she couldn’t stop thinking about him. She wanted to spend more time with the new grown-up Toby. Everything she’d seen so far—how he was with Harrison, how he interacted with everyone during their knitting sessions—told her he was still someone she could like a lot.

“Complications,” she murmured, dropping the lace to the floor and pulling the dress off Belle.

“Thank you for helping,” she told her dog. “I’ll pick this up later when I’m able to make decisions.”

Belle moved close, and Reggie wrapped her arms around her.

“You’re a good girl,” she whispered. “My best girl.”

Burt watched from a safe distance away. Ever since Belle had growled at him, he’d been treating the Great Dane with more respect.

“See what happens when you stand up to a bully?” Reggie pointed out. “When someone does you wrong, you need to be brave.”

She had more life lessons to share, but was interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the basement stairs.

“Reggie, darling, you have a visitor,” her mother said, stopping halfway and motioning for whomever was following her to continue.

Reggie scrambled to her feet, surprised to see Toby. Her heart gave a little jump, and she suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” her mother said pointedly as she started up the stairs.

“Thanks, Mom,” Reggie called after her before turning to Toby. “She needs to get a life.”

Only Toby didn’t smile at her attempt at humor. It was then that she noticed his shoulders were stiff and he wasn’t looking at her.

Belle gave him a quick sniff, then retreated to her bed.

“What’s wrong?” Reggie asked when Toby continued not to speak. “Is Harrison all right?”

“He’s fine. He’s at school. Why would you ask?”

“You’re upset about something.”

He looked at her then, his gaze unreadable. “I’m not upset. Guys don’t get upset.”

“Well, you’re something. Is it Judy?”

“Everyone’s fine. That’s not why I’m here.”