“Please don’t.”
“So we’re agreed we’re on our own this break,” Tex recapped. “That means this weekend, when we’re off, barbecue at my place.”
Mack nodded. “Deal.”
Reggie agreed, still relieved that his newly coupled-up buddies continued to make time with the single guys in the group. He and Mack exchanged a nod, knowing the truth of the matter. That things had changed. Never before had Brad or Tex been so committed to women. Both had found life partners, Reggie knew. But what did that mean for the odd men out?
Apparently not much. Though the guys spent a good bit of their time off with their ladies, they still maintained their important friendships outside of work. Reggie prayed that would never change.
“Later, guys.” He stood and left for his bed.
When he woke a few hours later, he learned Brad and Tex had taken the call that had come in after Reggie had gone to sleep. He’d been so tired, he’d dreamed of bubbles and dancing bears. Yeah, he owed them.
At changeover, they went over the previous events with their lieutenant and the oncoming crews, everyone amused at the chaos they’d experienced.
The gang said their goodbyes, and Reggie left for home, wondering why he hadn’t mentioned his plans to see Maggie and Emily. After all, his purpose in visiting them was to return the puppy.
Reggie felt funny, as if by hiding his date that wasn’t a date, he was maybe lying to himself.
But hey, he could feel attracted to a woman and not act on it. Just because he found Maggie more than appealing didn’t mean anything would happen between them. Bringing Frank to his forever home was part of the fostering process, nothing more.
Satisfied with his less than lame excuse, Reggie went home to get some much-needed sleep. Hours later, after packing up all of Frank’s toys and food, he picked up the puppy from his father.
“Good luck, son. Just know Frank has a home if your friends can’t keep him.”
Reggie smiled and cuddled the dog in his arms. “I take it he left your tomatoes alone.”
Harry nodded, serious about his gardening. “We had a talk when he looked a little too interested in my dirt. But we came to an agreement. I gave him a bone to chew on; he left my tomatoes be.”
“You’re spoiling him.”
“It’s good for his teeth,” his father said. “And before you go lecturing me again, I know he’s a puppy.” His dad huffed and handed Reggie the chew, which was shaped like a piece of bacon. “You’ll note that his treat is bacon-flavored and rubber. Now get out of here before Nadia comes over to say goodbye. She might wrestle you for him, and we both know she fights dirty.” His father chuckled.
Reggie took the advice and left in a hurry. Once in the car, he programmed the address Maggie had texted him.
Full of nerves and wishing he weren’t, he forced himself to go less than the speed limit, taking his good old time, as he drove to Maggie’s apartment complex bordering North Beacon Hill and Mt. Baker, not too far from his own house, he thought with pleasure.
He parked along the street in front of her building and brought only the puppy, dressed in his harness, leash attached, and a small bag of toys and treats. After letting Frank do some business on a strip of grass nearby, he carried the puppy up the stairs and headed for Maggie’s apartment.
Instead of an indoor apartment area, all the units faced the outdoors. From the ground, a wide common stairway led up to a large landing. From there, the stairs split to direct people to one of two units—large, twin buildings that looked well-maintained and fairly new, painted an inviting yellow. The complex appeared to have four stories, with possibly a rooftop area, though Reggie couldn’t tell from the ground.
Light and airy, the open walkway—especially in view of the blue skies and overhead sun despite the hour—felt joyful, the red, orange, and indigo clouds offering a cheerful palette of early evening.
On his way to Maggie’s door, Reggie passed a tall guy covered in tattoos, his wild hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, and thought he looked familiar. The man grunted a hello and moved past him, entering an apartment one door down from unit 204—Reggie’s destination.
Reggie wiped a sweaty palm on his jeans, wondering what the hell was wrong with him, and pressed the doorbell, telling himself to relax. In his arms, Frank fidgeted, so Reggie put him down and waited maybe five seconds.
Emily opened the door and stared from Frank to Reggie. Her smile so bright, it blinded, she cried, “You brought Frank!” She hugged the puppy, who licked her back with enthusiasm. After a few moments, she added, “I missed you too, Reggie.”
“Aw, aren’t you cute.”
“Emily?” her mother called from the apartment.
“They’re here!”
“They?” Maggie’s voice grew louder as she approached the door. “What have I told you about opening the door without looking through the peephole first? I—Reggie?”
Emily took the leash from Reggie and urged Frank inside. She unclipped the leash and handed it to Reggie before disappearing down the hallway with the puppy.
