Page 17 of By Any Beans Necessary

"Let's go over those scores," Danny announced, his gaze sweeping over the group.

Jeff waited as they rattled off the scores of the other teams alphabetically, and when they finally got to him, he braced himself.

"Jeff and Winston," Charlie began, looking up, "ninety-eight percent. Top marks."

"Boom," Hunter exclaimed, pumping a fist in the air.

"Way to go, man," Danny slapped Jeff's shoulder, a proud smile creasing his face. "I knew you had it in you."

"Couldn't have done it without Winston here," Jeff said, his chest swelling with pride as he looked down at his four-legged partner. He barked as if he knew exactly what they were talking about.

"Looks like I'm celebrating twice today," Jeff noted, winking at his friends.

"Twice?" Danny queried, raising an eyebrow.

"Got a date tonight," Jeff said, a grin spreading across his face at the thought of seeing Michelle again.

"Ah, the lovely Michelle," Hunter drawled. "Well, don't let us keep you. Go prep for your big night. Earning top marks means you get off early today for the weekend."

"Will do," Jeff chuckled, giving Winston one last pat before heading off the field, a spring in his step that had everything to do with his high marks—and the evening ahead.

As Jeff walked home, his fingers danced over the screen of his phone with an eagerness that mirrored the pulse in his chest.A triumphant smile played on his lips as he texted Michelle, the sunlight glinting off the screen.

"Hey, aced my skills test with Winston. 98%," he typed, the digits a badge of honor.

He hit send and waited for a reply. His heart did a little jig, and for a moment, all the sounds around — the distant barks from the academy, the rustle of leaves, even his own breathing — seemed to pause in anticipation.

Her reply came quickly, a ping that sent a ripple of excitement through him.

"Wow, Jeff. That's amazing. We should definitely celebrate tonight."

He could almost hear the lilt in her voice, envision her bright eyes sparkling with shared joy. It warmed him more than the coffee he'd had earlier, more than the afternoon sun streaming down on him.

"Looking forward to it," he shot back, a grin tugging at his mouth.

"Me too. See you at the Coffee Loft?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

The phone went silent, tucked away as Jeff moved along the street. The town passed by in a blur of familiarity—quaint shops, the old library, kids on bikes. As he made his way to his front door, the gravel crunched underfoot, his strides confident and eager.

Jeff entered his studio apartment, already thinking about what he needed to do before he could get ready for his big date. Winston would need a good meal before being left alone for the night. He moved briskly to the kitchen, pulling out a can of high-quality dog food and filling a bowl with fresh water. With practiced ease, he opened the can and portioned the food perfectly, the rich aroma of meat and vegetables filling the air ashe set it down. Winston's tail wagged furiously, ears perked up, as he dove into his dinner, eyes closed in pure delight.

As Winston feasted, Jeff took the time to change out of his training clothes, choosing a crisp white shirt and a pair of dark jeans that seemed to match his newfound excitement. A quick glance at the clock made him realize that time was slipping away, so he gave Winston a pat on the head and led him to his kennel. It was a cozy space, lined with soft blankets and a few of Winston's favorite toys, ensuring that he would be comfortable and entertained during Jeff's absence. With a final "be good, buddy" and a click of the kennel's latch, Jeff was ready to head back out.

He decided to swing by a nearby flower shop before meeting Michelle, wanting to surprise her with a beautiful bouquet. The little store was filled with an assortment of colors and fragrances, and Jeff felt his spirits lift higher as he picked out a set of red roses. After all, they said romance, didn't they?

When Jeff arrived at the Coffee Loft, Michelle was already waiting, her blonde hair catching the glow of the streetlights like a halo. She leaned against the doorframe, a vision in an apricot skirt and a cream blouse.

"Hey there, top K9 handler," she called out, a playful edge to her words.

"Hey yourself, coffee queen," Jeff replied, closing the distance between them. He offered her the roses, which she gratefully took and brought to her nose.

Inhaling sharply, she sighed. "They're lovely. Thank you. Let me just hand these off to Emily since she's setting up for karaoke tonight."

"We can skip that one, can't we?" Jeff pleaded. "If you think my line dancing is bad, you don't even want to hear me sing."

"It can't be that bad," she challenged with mischief in her eyes. "But yes, we can skip it, at least for tonight, since we'recelebrating your victory today." They shared a look, an unspoken recognition of his effort, her support, and the something that was simmering just beneath the surface. "Be right back."

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