Jake laughed. “I know, girl. These treats suck,” he said. “But we needed the low-cal ones, remember?” He exaggerated his whisper, putting his other hand up to pretend to shield this fact from their audience: Charlie.

Bonnie waited a second longer, then gingerly took the treat out of Jake’s hand and happily chomped down.

“She’s adorable,” Charlie said, taking off one glove and reaching out to pet Bonnie’s head. “Does she—”

But Charlie didn’t get her question out because at that moment Bonnie stole Charlie’s glove and started running around the ice rink with it in her mouth, as though she’d found the best treasure.

“Bonnie!” Jake shouted. Then to Charlie, “I’m sorry. She’s a work in progress. Gloves and socks are her catnip.” He called for the dog again, this time with more authority. It worked, and Bonnie reluctantly carried back the glove, which she dropped at Jake’s feet when asked. He bent down to retrieve it and grimaced. “It’s a bit . . . soggy.”

Charlie laughed, then stood up to take the glove from him. “Don’t worry,” she began. “I can just wash—” Suddenly it felt as though the ground had fallen out from under Charlie’s feet, like she herself flipped upside down. Completely off-balance, she stumbled. If not for Jake’s quick reflexes, she would have crumpled to the ground.

Jake caught Charlie under her arms, supporting her weight. “Here, sit down.” He helped her back to the bench, then crouched in front of her, concern etched on his face.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” Charlie said, trying to laugh it off. But she was still dizzy and was having trouble focusing on his face.

Jake’s hand was on the back of her neck, gently pushing her forward. “Put your head between your knees,” he said. She did. She was mortified that she’d almost passed out in the town square but also felt too ill to really care. “Take some deep breaths.” Again, she complied.

A minute later the dizziness began to recede. Apparently I need to take this whole concussion thing more seriously . . . She slowly sat back up and shivered slightly, although she wasn’t sure if it was because of the cold air or from Jake’s closeness. Bonnie licked Charlie’s bare hand. Jake chastised the dog, but Charlie smiled. “It’s okay. She’s a good girl.”

“She does that when she’s worried about someone,” Jake said, and Charlie scratched Bonnie behind her ears.

“I’m fine now,” she said to Bonnie, then looked over at Jake. “I’m okay, really. I didn’t have time to eat lunch today, and it was a really busy day. I just got a bit light-headed. Low blood sugar, I guess. Thank you, though. I’m glad you were here.”

“Me, too,” Jake said. “Do you feel like you can stand up now?”

“I think so.”

He held her arms firmly as she stood, slowly, because while she felt better she wasn’t convinced the wave of dizziness wouldn’t return.

“Okay?” he asked, watching her closely.