“From your mouth to God’s ears.” I smile hesitantly and double-time it over to Hope.

When I reach her, she’s worrying her bottom lip and running a hand through her hair. “What’s the matter?”

“Paws and Kisses won’t be able to make it!” She squeaks out, her face white as a sheet.

“Paws and Kisses?” My mind is drawing a complete blank.

“The dog treat company. Paws and Kisses Bakery?”

“Oh.” A breath escapes me. But then what she’s saying hits me, and my stomach swirls. We won’t have any dog treats here to help fundraise for Mile High Mutts Rescue. “OH!”

“What are we going to do? This is a disaster.”

Immediately, something settles in me, and my mind goes into problem-solving mode. This is not good, but there has to be something I can do.

A crazy thought pops into my head. Will he do it? It’s a big ask, HUGE, and one I’m not sure I even have the right to bring up. But I don’t have anyone else to turn to at the eleventh hour.

“I think I have an idea. I have to make a phone call.” A sparkle of relief glints in Hope’s eyes. I slip my phone from my pocket only to realize I don’t have Duncan or Ava’s number. Dropping my head into my palm, I groan.

Hope’s face falls, and I shake my head. “It’ll be okay, I just have to go ask David something. I’ll be back.”

Turning away from her, I make my way to the restricted access point and let myself through the doors that say ‘Authorized Personnel Only’. Jogging down the stairs, I make my way to the field. The team will be finishing up practice shortly, and I’ll be able to ask David for the numbers.

My heart flutters and my pulse races like it always does when I know I’ll see him. Even though it’s only been a few hours, it feels like an eternity since we left the house in separate cars.

It was not that different from any other morning, except for the fact that today is the season opener, and we’re both still working. Normally, at this time, the three of us are getting dinner ready while Scarlett is catching us up on her day at school.

The corner of my lips tug up just as I make my way to the field.

“Cat,” David calls out, and a smile crawls across my face as he walks over to me. My name on his lips sends shivers down my spine. “Is everything okay?” He asks softly once he reaches me,resting a hand on my arm, its gentle weight anchoring me in a rush of warmth.

“Yes,” I say, noticing his shoulders drop. Was he worried about me? And then I remember that everything isn’t okay. “I mean no.”

His hand on my arm tightens, and his eyes flare.

“Cat!” Logan yells. His gaze bounces between me and David, a gleam in his eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to be upstairs working?”

“Hey Logan,” I smile, then huff out a laugh. “I’m trying. I just ran into a bit of a snafu, and I need some help.”

Logan pivots and starts to walk toward us. “Is everything okay? Anything I can do?”

David’s hand imperceptibly tightens on my arm, and I feel him pull me closer. When I glance at his face, I notice his lips are drawn into a straight line.

My brows pull together.

What does that look mean?

“And you came to ask your husband.” Logan’s gaze is focused on David, and his mouth quirks at the corner. He slaps David’s shoulder. “I’ll leave the two of you be then.”

Logan turns and heads back in the direction of the locker room, and I feel David’s grip loosen. When I look back at his face, the tightness around his mouth is gone.

Was he jealous?

My pulse races, and warmth pools in my belly.

“Cat?”

“I’m sorry.” I shake my head and attempt to pull my errant thoughts back to the present. “Did you say something?”