Instead of brushing off the blame, he said, “It was an accident.It won’t happen again.”
Mrs.Wilson hesitated as though considering his response, just like she’d done when he was a kid, and he’d forgotten his homework.“It takes time to get used to caring for a dog.I’m sure you’ll do better.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs.Wilson handed over the puppy, who licked his cheek before tucking her head under his chin.If she thought a kiss and a hug were going to make him happy with her, she was completely wrong.
“Thank you, Mrs.Wilson.”Felicity smiled.“We really appreciate you finding Sunny.”
He remembered that smile.It was the one Felicity used in school to smooth things over when he was late with an assignment because quite literally one of his brother’s dogs ate his homework.Colin always adopted stray dogs and cats.
Mrs.Wilson smiled back.“It’s good to see you two together.You always did make a wonderful couple.”
She thought they were a couple?No!She was so wrong.“But we’re…”
Felicity planted an elbow in his ribs, stopping him mid-sentence.With another smile, she said, “We’re going to be late for work if we don’t get moving.Thanks again for the help.”
“Certainly.Just glad I was here.Keep her away from the elevator.It’s dangerous for pets.”
“We will.”As soon as Felicity turned around, the smile slipped from her lips.
They took the stairs up one floor to her mother’s apartment, where he once more handed over the puppy.This time he was relieved that Felicity didn’t put Sunny on the couch.He didn’t want to have to chase the energetic puppy a third time that morning.
“Now, how about that coffee?”Felicity asked.
He shook his head.“I’m already late for work.”Instead of rushing away, he found himself lingering at the doorway.He was already late; what was a couple more minutes?He glanced at her cute outfit again.“Shouldn’t you be getting ready for work?Or is that your new work outfit?”
Her cheeks grew rosy.“The bookshop doesn’t open until ten.”
How was it that he didn’t know that?Probably because he worked mornings, so he never had time to visit the bookshop until after his shift was over.
“I’ll, uh…stop by the bookshop to pick up Sunny when I’m done at work.Unless Merry finds someone to adopt her by then.”He could only hope.
“I don’t know if Merry works that fast.Besides, wouldn’t you miss this sweet face?”Felicity held up the pup so he could see Sunny’s warm brown eyes, which were full of nothing but mischief.He was certain of it.“Are you sure I can’t tempt you with a cup of coffee?”
He hesitated.His head said no.But his heart was saying something else.And he’d learned the hard way not to listen to his heart.It would lead him astray.
“Gotta go.”Then he strode away before he did something foolish.
He hustled down the stairs.Having Felicity watch the pup was not a good idea.How was he supposed to deal with seeing her all of the time, especially when she smiled at him like that?It was all he could do not to lean over and steal a kiss…just like he used to do a lifetime ago.
As he headed out into the brutally cold morning, he reached for his phone to call Merry.He needed to know if she’d found a family for Sunny.But then he noticed it was a little after eight o’clock in the morning.He shouldn’t call her this early.He would try to reach her at lunchtime.Yes.That would work.And hopefully, she’d have good news for him.
Chapter Fourteen
Well,thatwasunexpected.
Felicity continued to hold Sunny as she watched Justin walk away.When he disappeared from sight, she thought about the morning’s events.Talking to their former teacher certainly hadn’t been on her bingo card for Christmas.Although, it was good to see Mrs.Wilson again.
She remembered the color that had flooded Justin’s face when Mrs.Wilson had assumed they were back together.She’d stopped him from correcting her because it would have just led to a lecture of why they belonged together and a reminder of how good they’d been all of those years ago.
Felicity knew this because she’d been lectured in the past by Mrs.Wilson.After their breakup, when she would come home on break from college her senior year, she would periodically run into the woman.There were a lot of frowns and tsks.It was best to avoid all of that this visit.
Felicity sighed as she stepped back and closed the door.She was disappointed that Justin had left so quickly, but she understood about him being late for work.Still, she was hoping they would have time to smooth things over after Sunny’s great escape.Felicity knew she didn’t deserve his friendship, but it didn’t stop her from hoping she could somehow earn it back.
Of course, it didn’t help that she’d fallen asleep without setting her alarm.The prior evening, she’d been so intent on creating a plan to salvage the costumes that she’d lost track of time.After seeing the costumes on the children, she could understand why the parents were upset.
And poor Mrs.Geller, she had tried her best.Felicity was certain of it.But there comes a time when the torch needs to be passed to someone else.For this year, the torch bearer would be her.She didn’t know who would do it next year.She supposed it was Merry’s problem to figure out.
