“I just need to get my own place and then maybe, just maybe, I’ll add a pooch to my life.”
“You should. Will be a hell of a lot more reliable than a man.”
“Speaking highly of yourself there.”
“I can’t even cook for myself. I don’t have a lot going for me unless you want access to my bank account.”
“Absolutely not,” she states fiercely, just like I expected her to.
Freya isn’t like most of the other women I spend time with. She doesn’t care about my job, my status, or my money. She’shanging out with me right now because of me. And maybe a little bit because I invited myself.
“So, what about you? If you weren’t traveling so much, would you have a pet?”
I think about her question for a moment.
“Oh God, you’re a cat person, aren’t you?” she asks in horror. “I should have asked that the day you offered me the job.”
I laugh. “No, I’m not a cat person. I don’t really see the point in them as a pet when they spend most of their time outside and getting fed by someone else.”
“Ah, something we can agree on. I’m sure there are a few out there who are cuddly. But I want loyalty. I might not be able to find it in a man, but a dog? I reckon I could manage that.”
“You deserve it from both,” I point out.
“Yeah, I do. But I think I’m done with trusting men for a while.”
“Oh, ouch.”
“That wasn’t…I didn’t mean?—”
“I know you didn’t. I’m just teasing. I know it’s not the same, but you can trust me.”
I glance over in time to see her nodding. “I know I can. Thank you, Cole. I really appreciate the opportunity you’ve given me, working for you.”
“You have nothing to thank me for.”
“I really do. You have no idea how much you’ve changed my life.”
Happiness washes through me. I did that. I made an incredible person’s life better. And in turn, I eat like a king every fucking day. I call that a massive win–win.
“So if you’re done with men, why are you going out on a date tomorrow night?” I shouldn’t ask. It’s really none of my business. But I can’t help being curious.
She’s silent for a few seconds as we continue walking. The gravel track crunches underfoot, and the fresh spring leaves blow in the wind above it. It’s a perfect day in LA, and it reminds me just how lucky I am to live in such an incredible place.
I’ve almost forgotten that I asked a question when she begins speaking.
“He seemed like a nice guy.”
“But not nice enough to trust.”
“I guess only time will tell. But I’m not rushing into anything. I’ve done that before and look where that landed me.”
“I find it hard to believe you’ve ever rushed into anything.”
“What? Like agreeing to work for you?”
“Yeah, okay. Fair enough.”
“I like to believe that if something feels right, then you should go for it.”
