They’d probably walk back to the parking lot together, like yesterday. When they did, she’d tell him she’d brought him something, hand him the box, and…suggest coffee.
Oh, boy. She’d rather crawl through broken glass, but wasn’t that how her son felt about making friends? Someone had to break the ice and get uncomfortable.
Benny was already half out of his seat when she opened her door, Sir Isaac Newton bouncing beside him, nose pressed to the glass.
The second she opened his door, he spilled out with the pup, both of them a flurry of energy.
“C’mon, Mom!” he called, racing toward the entrance. “Sir Isaac Newton can be first if we beat her.”
Gracie didn’t want to beat them. She wanted to walk with them, but it was impossible as Benny shot off with his dog.
She waved to Marshall and Olivia as she hustled to keep pace.
Marshall called, “Hello!” in greeting, his smile visible from the distance, warm enough to give her the encouragement she needed.
She would definitely give him the cream puffs and her number. Today. Right now.
Tugging off her gloves, her hands sticky inside the leather, she followed Benny into the lobby. He zipped through sign-in, gave a quick wave, and marched off to the training room to be first.
“He’s a doll,” Renee said to Gracie as she replaced the clipboard. “So independent and smart.”
“That he is,” Gracie agreed, fighting the urge to glance over her shoulder and see if Marshall and Olivia had reached the door yet. She had to time this just right. “I was hoping he’d make some friends here.”
Renee looked just dubious enough that Gracie knew Benny hadn’t even tried. “His dog loves everyone,” she said, clearly grasping at straws.
Gracie laughed, mostly because she was relieved that cool air blew in, which had to mean?—
“Good morning, Olivia!” Renee called brightly.
Yes!Feeling a smile grow, Gracie turned, lifting her gaze in anticipation of seeing Marshall. But it was only Olivia.
“Where’s your father?” Renee asked, echoing Gracie’s thoughts.
“I just said goodbye to him.” The little girl pointed over her shoulder. “He had to take a work call. I can sign myself in, Miss Renee.”
Renee handed her the clipboard, but smiled at Gracie. “I’ll encourage him,” she said on a whisper. “Sometimes men just need a little push.”
For a moment, she felt the blood rise to her cheeks. Was she that obvious? Then she realized Renee meant Benny, not Marshall.
“Thanks, Renee,” she said softly.
“Oh, and Benny volunteered the actual Grumpy Santa to deliver our treats at the talent contest,” she added, beaming. “That’s a coup. Can we count on him?”
“Yes, you can. He’s Benny’s great-grandfather and he’ll be here for sure.”
As Gracie pulled her gloves back on, ready to walk out, she caught Olivia handing the clipboard back.
“Miss Renee?” the little girl said, so politely it hurt. “I want to use a dog whistle set to a certain frequency for my trick. Will that be okay?”
“Of course, honey,” the woman said, gesturing toward the hallway. “You just practice it a few times and make sure the others know.”
Oh,no. A dog whistle on a special frequency. Someone wasn’t going to like that.
Sighing and hoping that didn’t increase the rift between Benny and Olivia too much, Gracie stepped outside, just in time to see Marshall’s truck approaching, catching him on the phone, laughing.
He stopped to let her pass, giving her a smile and friendly wave, intent on his conversation.
Well, she could hardly jump up and down and offer cream puffs and a coffee date now, could she?
