DEAN
I pour a glass of lemonade, hoping it will give me enough time to collect my scrambled thoughts. My high school crush on Goldie hasn’t diminished. If anything, it’s stronger than ever. Those tiny shorts she’s almost wearing haven’t helped. My cock strains against my zip.
She’s acting like I’m enemy number one. I expected maybe she’d be a little hostile, but it appears she hates the sight of me. Did I tease her once too often in high school? Back then, my hormones were raging and I was so immature that I didn’t know how to handle how I felt about her.
I walk back over to the couch. She’s even more beautiful than I remember, her strawberry-blonde hair piled up on top of her head. Those angry green eyes are blazing at me like she’d like to throw a punch.
“One icy cold lemonade for the lady.” I hand it to her and our fingers brush. The contact registers in her eyes, sending another jolt to my groin.
“Thanks.”
“Tell me what I need to know about this big guy here. He doesn’t look like he’s desperate for a walk.”
“Do you blame him? It’s 100 degrees outside.”
“Great summer weather! We get enough snow in the winter. Or have you forgotten? How long have you been away, anyway?” I know exactly how long she’s been gone, but I want to see if she remembers.
“Seven years. And I like winter. It’s not the same in the city.”
“Getting tired of city life? Nothing beats Snowflake Falls, in my view.”
“Maybe you need to travel more, Dean. There’s a lot of life outside this small town.” She takes a sip of lemonade.
“I did my EMT training in Boston. It was cool, but my heart belongs here.”
“That’s easy enough for you to say. Snowflakelovesits star athletes. They don’t worship uscomic book-loving nerdsin the same way.”
“Ouch. Did I call you that?”
“You did. AndGeeky Goldie. All your jock friends would chant it every time I came into the cafeteria.” A flush rises in her cheeks.
“Look Goldie, I–”
“Dean. I thought you were here to walk Moose? I have work to do.” Her flushed pink cheeks emphasize the cute freckles on her nose. She starts typing on her laptop. Walking over to the back door, I hold it open. Moose looks at me, then at the door, then ambles outside.
“You depressed, buddy? Hot?” Moose reaches his big head up to let me scratch his chin. All the plants look thirsty, so I do some watering. Moose watches me with interest and I let him lick the spray from the hose. Spraying him with water, he perks up, shaking his coat and rolling around. I hose him again and then dry him off with an old towel.
Inside, Goldie is still ignoring me, tapping away on her laptop. The ceiling fan overhead makes a squeaking noise. I turn it off at the wall, grab a chair, and stand on it to inspect the fan.
She’s watching me, but pretending to work. I grab my pocket knife and tighten the loose bolt with the screwdriver attachment. Then I walk to the wall and switch it on. No squeaking.
“Anything I can get you?” My phone starts beeping.
“Nope. Thanks for walking Moose. I’m good.”
“Okay. There are some quiches and other stuff in the container in the refrigerator. You know that restaurant in town, Silver? They donate to the volunteer program. Food is great. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
She nods, keeping her gaze fixed on her laptop screen. My phone beeps with yet another text. Giving Moose a final chin scratch, I close the front door quietly behind me. As I navigate the winding road back down the mountain, I try to get Goldie’s hostile face out of my head.
I check my messages as I walk into the firehouse.
Aunt Augusta: I’ve found another girl for you Dean! She’s perfect. I’ve given her your number and she’ll text you to set up a date. Also, I need you to look after Poupon tomorrow. I have a date myself!!!
I groan.
“Is your auntie setting you up on more blind dates again?” Flint looks up from the table in the kitchen.
“Yep. And she wants me to look after her dog again.” I shake my head.
