Chapter Thirty Five

Saturday;

I pulled into the small parking lot of the park, turning off the ignition and taking a deep breath. I couldn't help but smile to myself—this play date with Tuna had me more excited than I'd care to admit. Following Montgomery's suggestion, I kept it casual; short denim jeans and a loose graphic tee. Comfortable enough for running around.

Checking the clock, I noticed it was just after five. Perfect timing. As I stepped out of my car, the sound of tires crunching on gravel caught my attention. Two spaces over, a sleek black Audi came to a stop. My eyes widened slightly—it was the same car I had seen at the hospital, and now it was right here.

The door swung open, and out stepped Montgomery, looking effortlessly elegant, her hair catching the last glimmers of sunlight. Even in something as simple as jeans and a crisp white blouse, she radiated class. Damn! I always knew she was well-off, but seeing her step out of that car, it hit me just how wealthy she really was.

"Valentina!" Her voice was soft yet warm, her smile even warmer as she waved. "How are you?" she asked, walking around to open the passenger door. Out bounded Tuna, tail wagging enthusiastically.

"Always good," I grinned, trying to keep things casual despite the sudden spike in my heart rate. "You?"

She opened the front trunk of her car—of course it's a front trunk in this fancy thing—and pulled out a small picnic basket. My eyes widened even more. A picnic? She really went all out.

"Just great," she replied with a smile that made something inside me flutter.

I crouched down to pet Tuna, his tail wagging so hard it was practically a blur. His fur was soft beneath my fingers, and I couldn't help but smile. Damn, I love this dog. I scratched behind his ears, earning a happy wiggle in return.

Behind me, I heard Montgomery close the trunk with a soft thud. "Ready to go?" she asked, her voice calm and warm. I glanced up at her, nodding, before rising to my feet and falling in step beside her.

Tuna trotted ahead, nose to the ground, investigating every blade of grass and bush we passed. The soft rustling of the leaves in the trees and the golden light of the setting sun made the park feel serene, like we had stepped into our own little bubble.

Montgomery stopped at the base of a large tree, its sprawling branches casting a gentle shade over the grass below. She turned to me, a questioning look in her eyes. "How about here? Will this spot work?"

I glanced around. The grass was soft and dotted with small wildflowers, their tiny petals adding a delicate touch to the space. It felt private, cozy, and just perfect. "Yeah," I said with a smile, giving her a thumbs up.

She nodded and set down the picnic basket. Bending gracefully, she opened it, pulling out a handful of colorful dog toys and tossing them beside the basket.

Then, she carefully unfolded a picnic blanket adorned with tiny sunflowers, spreading it out across the grass. The bright, cheerful design stood out against the green, making the whole setup feel even more charming.

Montgomery settled herself on the blanket with a casual grace, placing the picnic basket in the middle. She patted the spot beside her, a silent invitation that made my heart stutter for a second.

I hesitated, my gaze flicking to the space next to her. A part of me wanted to sit there, to feel that closeness, but I quickly reminded myself of the line I needed to keep. This picnic—though cozy and far from professional—was supposed to be just friendly. Right? Just two people spending time together, nothing more.

With a soft sigh, I chose the other side of the basket and plopped down, patting the grass to call Tuna over. He trotted to me, his tail wagging, and settled comfortably beside me, his big brown eyes looking up as if asking for attention.

Montgomery began unpacking the basket, placing an array of snacks on the sunflower-covered blanket—fresh fruit, sandwiches, cheese, and some other delicious-looking treats. The smell alone was enough to make my stomach rumble.

"Please tell me you brought something for Tuna," I teased, glancing over the spread before looking down at the dog who now had his head on my lap, staring up at me with his most irresistible puppy eyes. "Look at his cute little face," I cooed, reaching down to squish his cheeks, making him look even more adorable. "He definitely wants snacks."

Montgomery chuckled softly, her eyes flicking to Tuna's squished, endearing expression. "How could I not? I came prepared," she said, reaching back into the basket and pulling out a small container with treats. She held it up like a prize and gave me a playful smile, "I wouldn't forget about him."

Montgomery tossed the small container towards me, and I caught it effortlessly. Opening the lid, I pulled out a treat for Tuna, but paused mid-motion, glancing up at her with a curious smile. "Does he know any tricks?"

She laughed, the sound light and relaxed. "No, not really. He gets too distracted when I try to teach him."

"Maybe you're just not a good teacher," I teased with a shrug, my smile turning mischievous as I tried to provoke her just a little. Her brows lifted in challenge, and she tilted her head, giving me that look that made my stomach flip.

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Her voice had a playful edge, but I could tell she was curious where I was going with this.

"Nothing at all," I said with an innocent grin, quickly handing the treat to Tuna, who took it gently from my hand, his big eyes full of gratitude.

Leaning forward, I grabbed a sandwich from the spread, inspecting the filling. Chicken mayo—my favorite. I took a bite, savoring the familiar taste, while Montgomery reached for some grapes, popping one into her mouth as she made herself more comfortable on the blanket.

"Did you visit your mother today?" I asked, making conversation as the breeze stirred the leaves above us. Montgomery nodded, her expression softening.

"Yeah, she kept going on and on about how much she enjoyed the picnic last weekend." She smiled fondly, clearly thinking of her mother. The way her face softened in moments like this always caught me off guard. It was like seeing a side of her she didn't always show—one that made my chest feel warm.

I nodded as I finished the last bite of my sandwich, the soft breeze making the moment feel almost dreamlike. There was something about the atmosphere, the quiet intimacy of it all, that felt... different. "Is it just me, or does this feel like a date?" I chuckled nervously, hoping the laugh would ease the tension creeping into my chest.

Seriously though, if Montgomery wasn't in a relationship, I would have sworn this was some kind of date. The thought made my heart race just a little faster. But I was being ridiculous, right?

She tilted her head slightly, studying me with that unreadable expression she always wore so well. "Why?" Her voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Do you want it to be a date?"

What? My mind screeched to a halt, and my heart stumbled over itself. "No! I mean, yes? No?" I stammered, feeling my face heat up, and before I could stop myself, I rambled on. What the hell, Valentina? I had promised myself to keep things strictly friendly, and here I was asking stupid questions that made things way too complicated.

Montgomery simply smirked, casually grabbing another sandwich like she hadn't just knocked the wind out of me. My face felt like it was on fire, and I cleared my throat awkwardly, reaching for some strawberries to keep myself busy.

I spotted a small container of blueberries and grabbed a handful, my mind still buzzing with embarrassment. Looking down at Tuna, I decided to distract myself. "I wonder if you'll eat these?" I muttered, holding out a blueberry towards him.

Tuna sniffed it cautiously, then, to my surprise, gently took it from my fingers. A small grin crept onto my face. At least someone wasn't making things weird today.

I kept sneaking blueberries to Tuna between bites, pretending not to notice that Montgomery was watching me. She hadn't said anything about it, but I could feel her eyes on me every now and then. Maybe she found it amusing—who knows with her?

"Where are his toys?" I asked, glancing down at Tuna, who sat patiently at my feet, his tail wagging in anticipation. After all, this was supposed to be a playdate, and I hadn't done much playing yet.

Montgomery lazily reached behind her, pulling out a couple of toys before handing them to me. As she settled back on the blanket, her arms stretched over her head, her shirt lifted just enough to show a sliver of skin. This time, I forced my gaze away and focused on the toys instead. No need to make things awkward again.

I stood up, holding the rope toy in my hands. "You not coming?" I asked, glancing down at her. She shook her head, a lazy smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe later," she said, her voice smooth and unbothered as she got more comfortable on the blanket.

Shrugging, I turned my attention back to Tuna, who was already bouncing on his paws, ready for action. "Come on, Tuna," I patted my leg, signaling for him to follow. His tail wagged even faster as he trotted along beside me, his energy infectious.

We walked a few steps away, and I turned around, waving the rope toy in front of him. "You ready, buddy?" I teased, crouching down to his level, the game of Tug o' War about to begin. Tuna barked excitedly, his eyes gleaming as he grabbed the other end of the rope. His playful growl rumbled, and I couldn't help but grin, all my earlier nerves fading into the background.

I hadn't realized just how ridiculously strong Tuna was until now. My arms burned, my grip was slipping, and I could already feel my lungs starting to protest. It had barely been five minutes, but I was already out of breath. Was Tuna this strong, or was I just that weak? I'm definitely going with the first option.

"Are you sure you don't want to join?" I called out, panting, as I glanced over my shoulder at Montgomery. She was still lounging on the blanket, looking entirely too comfortable. "Nope," she waved me off, smirking. "It's your play date, not mine."

I groaned inwardly, praying she'd change her mind and come take over. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep up with Tuna's boundless energy. I mean, surely even dogs had to get tired eventually, right?

But no. Tuna was showing no signs of slowing down, tugging relentlessly at the rope like this was the best day of his life. My arms were screaming for a break, and I was starting to think I might actually die—from lack of oxygen or, you know, just sheer exhaustion.

I must have zoned out, because suddenly Tuna gave a mighty tug, and before I knew it, I was tumbling forward, landing hard on my knees with a surprised yelp. Behind me, I heard laughter, warm and rich. I turned my head to see Montgomery watching me, her eyes gleaming with amusement, her lips curved into a smile.

Of course, she was enjoying the show.

"You okay there?" she called, clearly trying to hold back more laughter. I gave her an exaggerated thumbs up, still trying to catch my breath.

"Just... fantastic," I wheezed, while Tuna wagged his tail, clearly thinking this was all part of the game.

I clicked my tongue in mock disappointment, staring at Tuna as if he had betrayed me. "You, sir, are too much." With an exaggerated huff, I stomped back to the blanket and plopped down, my muscles aching with relief. Montgomery was lounging, propped up on her elbows, her amused gaze following me.

"You gave up on him already?" she teased, her voice low with a hint of laughter.

I threw my hands up in defeat. "I'm exhausted, completely worn out, and he acts like we haven't even started!" I gestured toward Tuna, who was still wagging his tail like he was ready for round two. "I need a break," I muttered dramatically, reaching for the grapes and shoving a handful into my mouth at once.

Montgomery raised a brow, her lips quirking into a smirk. "You're going to choke." She paused, letting the words linger before continuing, her voice softer, more teasing. "And honestly, if anyone's going to choke you, I'd prefer it to be me rather than those grapes."

Her words hit me like a brick, and I nearly did choke. I coughed violently, my eyes watering as I tried to breathe through the sudden shock. Montgomery gasped, leaping up in a panic, her hands hovering like she was unsure if she should help or laugh.

"Oh fuck!" she gasped, leaning closer as if she was ready to save me.

Through my coughing fit, I managed a shaky laugh. "I'm fine!" I croaked, waving her off. "Just kidding!"

Her expression morphed from shock, to pure annoyance, and finally, to a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "You are impossible," she muttered, shaking her head with a small grin.

How on earth am I supposed to keep things friendly when she keeps throwing those flirty comments my way? Every time she says something like that, it chips away at my resolve. I need to stay strong. I can't let myself read too much into it.

Without thinking, I tossed the rope toy in her direction, and she caught it effortlessly. "Your turn to play with him," I said, motioning toward Tuna, who was still full of energy. She raised a brow, looking unimpressed.

"I'm not the one on a play date with him," she shot back, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, but you're here," I replied, shrugging. "He wants to play, and I'm too tired to move another muscle."

She groaned dramatically but got up from the blanket, striding over to Tuna, who barked excitedly at the prospect of a new playmate. I watched her for a moment, admiring how effortlessly she moved, before sinking back onto the blanket with a satisfied sigh.

Finally, peace. I can lay here and eat myself into a food coma. I grabbed a handful of jelly beans and stuffed them into my mouth, letting the sweetness melt away the lingering tension from earlier.

Sprawling out on my back, I propped my knees up and stared through the canopy of leaves above. The sunlight filtered through in soft beams, dappling the grass with patches of golden light. It felt perfect, peaceful. Though, if a bird decides to drop something on my face, I might completely lose it.

I was lying back, minding my own business, lazily munching on the snacks when suddenly a shadow loomed over me. I tilted my head slightly and saw Montgomery standing just above me, hands on her hips, her gaze fixed down at me with a mix of disbelief and amusement.

"Are you eating all the snacks?" she asked, eyebrows raised.

I shook my head, defiantly stuffing more jellybeans into my mouth. "Nope. Definitely not eating anything," I mumbled through the sugary candy.

She rolled her eyes and plopped down beside me with a dramatic sigh. "That dog is too much," she groaned, shaking her head as she looked at Tuna, who was still bouncing around like he hadn't played at all. "Look at him! It's like we barely made a dent in his energy."

I glanced over at Tuna, his tail wagging like he had endless reserves, and then back at her, grinning. "We didn't do anything by the looks of it. You should just tie the rope to a tree and let him wear himself out."

Montgomery sighed deeply, reaching for a strawberry from the basket and taking a small bite. "I'm way too tired to even do that." She leaned back, her head falling to one side as she chewed, clearly worn out.

We sat in comfortable silence for what felt like five minutes, just eating and enjoying the breeze. Eventually, I stretched and sat back up, casting a glance over at Tuna. He was still full of energy, and I sighed internally. I should probably go play with him again.

"Rope," I said, holding out my hand expectantly. Montgomery, not bothering to even look at me, lazily placed it in my palm, her gaze lost somewhere in the distance, like she was contemplating life itself.

I got up, making my way over to Tuna, who instantly perked up when he saw me approaching with the rope. The second I held it out, he latched on with wild enthusiasm, his grip solid as ever, and started pulling with everything he had.

The next ten minutes felt like an eternity of endless tugging. My arms were burning, my legs were barely keeping me upright, and yet Tuna showed no signs of slowing down. I glanced around, seriously considering switching to a different toy—or maybe just giving up entirely.

I looked back at Montgomery, sprawled out on the blanket, her eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying her peaceful break while I struggled.

Tuna still had a firm grip on the rope as I trudged back to the blanket, my arm burning from his relentless tugging. I spotted a red ball among his toys and sighed in relief. Maybe Catch would be easier on my muscles.

"Are you about to fall asleep?" I asked, glancing down at Montgomery, who had her eyes lazily shut.

She cracked one eye open, stretching her arms over her head in a languid motion. "No," she replied, her voice dripping with exhaustion, though she didn't seem too eager to move.

I shook my head, deciding for both of us. "Nope, you're getting up. We're going to play with Tuna." She looked like she was about to argue, but before she could get a word in, I grabbed her wrist and tugged her to her feet. She groaned dramatically but allowed herself to be pulled along. "Damn, woman, let me have some peace," she muttered, though she still followed me and Tuna toward the open space.

Standing side by side, I glanced at her, slightly out of breath from the effort. "He can play catch, right?"

She nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "Yeah, he knows what to do." Tuna bounced in front of us, eager for whatever game we were about to play, and I was ready to see if he could wear himself out for once.

I hurled the ball into the distance, releasing a relieved sigh as Tuna took off like a shot after it. Thank goodness—at least I didn't have to chase it myself. He was so fast, a blur of fur racing across the grass.

Tuna snatched the ball with ease and bounded back, his energy seemingly endless as he dropped it at our feet again, tail wagging furiously. Montgomery bent down, scooping it up before launching it back into the open field. Once again, Tuna darted after it without hesitation.

"I definitely think he'll get tired now," I muttered, rubbing my hands together in mock villainy, flashing a wicked grin.

Montgomery recoiled in mock horror, her eyes wide. "Please never do that again," she groaned, shaking her head. "That was extremely creepy."

Tuna returned, ball in mouth, wagging his tail with excitement as he dropped it at my feet again. I bent down and threw it as far as I could, watching him sprint off into the distance once more.

We'd been playing for about ten minutes when Montgomery finally threw her hands up in surrender. "I'm thirsty," she muttered, and without another word, she strolled back to the blanket, dropping down in a heap of exhaustion.

Tuna returned with the ball, panting heavily, his energy finally starting to wane. I smiled, seeing how tired he looked. Alright, one last throw. I grabbed the ball, now sticky and wet with dog slobber, and hurled it as far as I could. The ball sailed through the air, and I expected Tuna to take off after it like he had been.

But instead, he just sat there for a second, watching it soar before plodding back to the blanket, where he flopped down next to Montgomery with a heavy sigh.

"Seriously?" I groaned, running a hand through my hair. I guess I'm fetching it now. With a resigned sigh, I started walking toward where the ball had landed, the cool breeze brushing past me. When I neared the spot, I noticed a woman with raven-black hair bending down to pick it up.

She glanced my way and handed it over with a polite smile. "Here you go."

"Thank you," I grinned, taking the slobbery ball from her hand. "The dog finally got too tired to fetch it himself."

She laughed, the sound light and warm. "Yeah, I saw the whole ordeal. Looks like he's done for the day."

I extended my hand. "Valentina."

"Octavia," she replied, shaking my hand firmly. For a second, she glanced past me, her gaze landing on the blanket where Montgomery was still lounging. "Is that your girlfriend?" she asked, a casual curiosity lacing her words.

I shook my head quickly. "No, no, we're just friends." I added, feeling a strange twist in my stomach as I said it.

Octavia smiled, tucking a loose strand of her raven hair behind her ear, her eyes lingering on me. "Would it be possible for me to get your number?" she asked, her voice soft but hopeful.

Wait—what? No way! No one has ever asked for my number before.

Trying to play it cool, I nodded, and she handed me her phone. I quickly typed in my contact details, my fingers feeling oddly clumsy for such a simple task. When I handed the phone back to her, she gave me a bright smile.

"Sweet," she grinned, her eyes sparkling. "I'll text you later."

"Sounds good," I replied, offering a wave as I turned and headed back to the blanket, a faint buzz of excitement still lingering in the air.

As I approached, Montgomery was sitting up straighter, her posture noticeably more alert. "Who was that?" she asked, her voice holding an edge of curiosity—maybe even something more.

"Oh," I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to downplay the moment, "I just met her. Her name's Octavia."

Montgomery's gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What did she want?"

I blinked, a little taken aback by the question. "Uh, she just handed me the ball and asked for my number." I replied casually, plopping down beside Tuna and giving him a good scratch behind the ears. But I could feel the shift in the air, the tension radiating from Montgomery.

Montgomery's silence stretched for a few beats, her lips pressed into a thin, almost bitter line. Her gaze stayed fixed on something distant, like she was trying to figure out her next move. Finally, she spoke, her voice low. "Did you give it to her?"

"I did." I tried to smile, but it felt forced, like I was reassuring myself more than her. Maybe it was time to move on. Montgomery was with Vargas, and no matter how much I wanted her, I couldn't keep waiting around, hoping for the impossible. I couldn't cling to a one-percent chance that she might break up with Vargas and magically realize her feelings for me.

"I see," she murmured, eyes still distant, like she wasn't really in the moment with me. But then, something shifted. Her gaze slid back over to me, sharper now, her expression unreadable, but her words carried a weight I hadn't expected. "I don't know what she's going to offer you, but I'd give you the world if you'd just ask."

Her words knocked the wind out of me, and I just stood there, my mind racing to process what she meant. The weight of her confession hung in the air, leaving me unsure if she was speaking as a friend... or something more. Her expression gave nothing away.

She clasped her hands together, her gaze shifting away. "I think this play date has reached its end."

Already? The sudden change caught me off guard. "Aren't we going to watch the sunset?" I asked, hoping to stretch the moment just a little longer.

But she shook her head, her tone clipped. "No, I'm tired. And Tuna's tired."

There was no arguing with that. I nodded, feeling a strange heaviness settle in my chest. We both moved in sync, cleaning up the remnants of our afternoon together. She folded the blanket with precise, mechanical movements while I gathered Tuna's toys, placing them neatly into the basket.

The walk back to the parking lot was steeped in silence, the kind that felt thick with everything unsaid. The playful banter and ease we'd shared earlier seemed a distant memory now. When we reached her car, she placed the basket into the trunk with a soft thud. I crouched down to give Tuna one last goodbye, scratching behind his ears as he wagged his tail lazily before hopping into the passenger seat.

Montgomery closed the door, her face turned away. I stood up, my hand lingering on the edge of the car, searching for the right words, but all I could manage was, "See you later?"

She looked at me, her expression unreadable, and gave a tight nod. "Yeah, see you, Ms. Wilson." Then she slid into the driver's seat, and just like that, the day was over.

I stood frozen, watching as she started her car and smoothly reversed out of the parking lot. The engine hummed softly, and within moments, she was driving away, the taillights of her sleek Audi vanishing into the evening haze.

A strange, hollow feeling settled in my chest, but I shook it off, trying to rid myself of the confusion swirling in my mind. With a sigh, I climbed into my own car, the leather seat cool beneath me. As I gripped the steering wheel, I forced myself to focus.

It's time I let myself be treated right. I'm tired of being strung along, of the endless uncertainty and confusion. The warmth I'd always hoped to find with Montgomery was starting to feel like a distant fantasy, and I couldn't keep chasing shadows.

Octavia. She seemed genuine—a kind of excitement fluttered in my stomach at the thought of her. I was curious, maybe even hopeful about where things could go. What would it be like to be with someone who saw me fully, without games or the constant push and pull?

But as I started my car, a lingering unease crept in, settling beneath my skin. What had happened with Montgomery today... it didn't feel like an ending. Something about it felt unfinished, unresolved. As if the tension between us had only just begun to stir, like the rumble of distant thunder before the storm.

I had a feeling this was the calm before everything would unravel. A quiet before the real trouble began.