“I’m an artist,” I said hesitantly. “I draw portraits.”

“Oh really?” Emma piped up, and I looked down at her. “I’m actually looking for some art. We need to talk.”

I smiled, but the older man jumped in. “You’re here for what?” he asked.

“Chris was just coming here to check out the park for her puppy,” Andrew cut in with a patient smile. He looked at me. “What’s his name again?”

“Her,” I said. “Shelby.”

“Mm-hmm,” Reg said, eyeing me. “Well, just make sure you pick up after your dog. We’ve got somebody out here who’s leaving their dog crap everywhere. Someone who comes in late at night. I’ve been watching to see who it is. I’m going to find them,” he said. “It’s illegal and unsanitary.”

“I would never…”

“Mm-hmm,” he said before turning and walking away.

Andrew smiled. “Reg is a little particular, but don’t let him scare you away,” he said as he sat down on the bench next to Emma. “So, will we be seeing you again with…?”

I blinked. It was a little too Stepford dog owners for me, but I smiled and nodded. “Oh, Shelby,” I said, and it occurred to me that he wasn’t really listening, since he’d asked for her name three times. “Yeah, I think so. Thanks for the warm welcome.”

“Anytime,” Andrew said.

I raised my hand and turned to walk away. I’d taken three steps when I heard him speak up again.

“Oh, we meet here most afternoons around this time,” he said. “Just so you know. We’ll be here tomorrow!”

I paused, my back to them, as a thought crossed my mind.

I shouldn’t.

There was no reason for it.

“I wish I could,” I said, turning back. “But my friend who just called me…crazy as it sounds…just bought tickets for me to go to a concert with her and her daughter tomorrow night, and we’ll need to head out early. That’s what she was calling to tell me. As if I should be going to a Ryan Hooks concert,” I said with a small laugh.

They all chuckled, and a few comments were tossed around about his songs, a recent appearance on E!, and hopes that I would see the other half of his celeb power couple.

“Bevvy loves Tiffane. She’s always going on about how beautiful she is,” Andrew said, and then he looked up at me. “Oh, sorry, that’s my wife.”

I smiled and nodded and then turned to leave, but not before letting my gaze settle on Emma, just for a moment.