“I don’t need you to go in with me.” I tell him as I hop down from my seat after pushing open the door.

“I want to hear what your co-worker has to say about last night.”

“Okay, but I need to go to a friend’s place to pick up my key since I don’t have my bag. Do you want to wait for me in the lobby?”

“I’ll go with you.” He follows me to the building and lucky for us a couple is leaving as we are walking up to the door, so the guy holds it open, allowing us entry.

I press the button for the penthouse when we get on the elevator, and hope like heck that Brodie is home and not at soccer practice or out with friends. The ride up to the top floor feels like it takes forever with Clay sucking up all the air in the small space, so when we arrive and the doors open, I drag in a relieved breath.

“Hopefully he’s here.” I mumble to myself as we head down the hall to the door at the end and then knock twice. I hear movement from inside, then the turn of a lock and a moment later Brodie is opening the door, wearing only a pair of black boxers.

“Hey what are you doing here?” he asks me, then looks to my side and frowns at Clay, who is so quiet that I would forget he was here if his presence didn’t seem to cause my cells to vibrate with his nearness.

“I need my spare key, I got locked out of my place.” I tell him then laugh as his Great Dane, Jeb, bounces out of the apartment and starts to dance around my feet, almost knocking me over when he hops up on his back legs so he can get his face in mine. “Hey handsome.” I give him a hug then try to control his snout as he begins licking my face.

“How’d you get locked out?” Brodie asks, handing me a key as he takes control of Jeb.

“Long story.”

“You can tell me about it over dinner,” he suggests.

I shake my head. “I can’t tonight, but maybe later in the week.”

“I’m out of town.” His expression softens. “Remember, you’re keeping Jeb.”

“Oh, I thought that was next week.”

“It is next week.” He looks to my side when Clay makes a grunting noise. “And you are?”

“This is my friend Clay. Clay, this is Brodie.” I wait for them to shake hands or something but neither does anything but stare at the other.

Okay, awkward.

“Are you still keeping Jeb for me?”

“Of course.” I frown, wondering what’s wrong with him. “I’ll send you a text tomorrow.”

“All right.” He looks like he wants to say more but changes his mind and steps back into his apartment. “See you tomorrow.”

“See you tomorrow.” I agree then with my key in hand and Clay at my back I walk to the elevator and press the button to go down to the fourth floor.