After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(19)

I nod. “On the perimeter of the park. He doesn’t get too close so the dogs won’t go loco…crazy over the smell.”

Jake runs back to me and flops down. Brandi joins him, and soon it’s a lick-everything-they-can-reach fest.

“I like tacos,” Evangeline says, so quietly that I almost miss it.

“Who doesn’t?” I don’t want to assume anything. I can’t assume anything with her. For all I know, conversation with me is all she can do right now.

“Some people don’t.”

Her ex, I’m sure of it. “When’s the last time you had a good taco?”

“Five years and six months,” she says, then looks away, but I don’t miss the shame on her face.

The bastard. “Must have been one hell of a bad taco to wait for so long, huh?”

Her chin jerks up. She stares at me for a minute. “The worst ever.”

“If you’re willing to take a chance on the best taco you’ve ever had, then I’ll introduce you to Domingo. He’ll fix you right up.”

“Brandi,” one of the guys calls out, and I turn in time to see the little cocker spaniel run to the fence.

Evangeline strides toward them and I follow her. “Thanks for letting me play with her,” she says.

“You’re welcome, but Brandi needed the exercise. We try to come at least every other day. She’s helping me as I recuperate, but technically she’s not a therapy dog,” John tells me.

Carl adjusts his grip on the top handles of John’s wheelchair. “She’s a handful, but when I’m off, she’s a godsend.”

“Jake enjoys playing with her,” I say, grabbing his collar to prevent him from going with Brandi as Carl opens the gate. “Looks for her every time we come. Hopefully, we can have another fetch session soon.”

“That would be wonderful,” John says, a grin on his gaunt face.

Evangeline is mostly quiet as she stands a couple of feet away from all of us. My gut tightens. I want her by my side, but I can’t force this.

As they walk away, I turn to her. “Ready to meet Domingo?”

She takes a step back and my heart sinks. I lost my chance.

“Are you sure the tacos will be the best I’ve ever had?”

Oh, hell yes, baby. They will be so good, you’ll keep coming back for more. “Fairly certain,” I say evenly.

“And it’s right over there?” She points to the opposite side of the park.

“Yeah. All out in the open and everything.” Letting go of Jake, I head to the south entrance. “Ready, boy?”

Evangeline falls into step beside me, sending my body on high alert for all the right reasons. “Jake eats tacos, too?”

“Nah. Domingo always gives him a special treat.”

Pulling Jake’s leash out of my pocket, I attach it to his collar. “Mind grabbing my balls?” Oh shit. I shouldn’t have said that, but Evangeline is nodding and not commenting on my thoughtless request.

Wordlessly, she scoops them up as we pass by and hands them to me.

“Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

Once we’re out of the dog park, it’s a quick walk to Domingo’s truck. Fortunately, we arrive before a line has formed for dinner.

The smell of chilies, cumin, and garlic fills my senses, reminding me of my mother’s cooking. Funny enough, while my father always had an insult to throw my momma’s way, he sure as hell devoured everything she made and even praised her for the meals. She would live off those compliments for days, and sometimes my dad would give her peace for days, too.

But not often.

“Hola, Hunter. Who is this beautiful woman you brought to me today?” he calls out.

Domingo is barely five feet tall with salt-and-pepper hair and an easy smile. He’s also a huge flirt, and most women love the attention. However, Evangeline isn’t most women.

“Hola, Domingo. This is my special friend, Evangeline. I told her all about your tacos. Please don’t let me down.”

His knowing gaze bounces from me to the woman standing beside me. Well, she would be standing beside me, if she didn’t maintain a distance of four feet between us. I’ll take what I can get from her, and since it’s not her back while she’s walking away, I consider myself a very lucky man.

Evangeline smiles and my breath almost leaves me. Amazing how she can do that. “Nice to meet you, Domingo.”

“Senorita, how may I help you today?” he asks.

“Two tacos with chips and cheese, and a drink, please,” she says.

“A woman who knows what she wants—love it!” He turns to me, a playful frown on his face. “And you, Officer? What can this lowly cook prepare to avoid getting thrown into the pinta?”

I roll my eyes. “Cut it out, Domingo.”

“The usual, then.” It’s not a question. I always get the same thing. Four tacos, tortilla chips with cheese, and a side of guacamole. Domingo tallies up our orders and gives me the total.

“Oh, I can pay for mine,” Evangeline says, hastily stepping in front of me.

He waves her away. “I didn’t charge you.”

“You sure about that?” I ask, handing over two twenties. Normally, I pay twelve fifteen for my order. Today, it’s twenty-four fifty.