And it does seem the boyfriend is out of the picture, so it’s not like I’d be stepping on any toes.
But I don’t want that kind of responsibility. Can’t have it, actually. There’s a reason I stick to dogs. People are so much messier.
I could have handled that whole situation better when I left, though.
I glance out the rearview mirror as I pull my truck out of the parking lot. Charlie and Athena are making their way across the park. Distantly, I recall that I’d asked him to meet at his place, because that’s what I do with all new clients. But what a disaster that would have been. Meeting people in their homes is always an intimate thing, but with Charlie...I’m an adult in control of my impulses, but letting him out the door instead of taking him to the floor would have been very difficult.
But enough of the might-have-beens. I’m supposed to be having dinner with West tonight, and I suddenly don’t want to, though I can’t think of a good excuse to give him. My fridge is empty, the idea of cooking after spending the afternoon holding myself back from mauling Charlie is exhausting, and I live just far enough out of town that getting even a pizza delivered involves an extra charge that I’m too cheap to pay. Also, I dropped the dogs off with West on my way to the park. At the very least, I have to go pick them up, and if I’m there, I might as well stick around for a meal.
West and I are still getting to know each other. I knew his cousin growing up, and recently his grandmother hired me to help train her Airedale puppy, Pepper. As we were finishing up her sessions together, Mrs. O mentioned her grandson was moving back to Laurelsburg. She asked me if I’d mind checking in on him.
West’s been going through a tough time. He doesn’t talk about it much. Boyfriend problems, by the sound of it. I’m not much for long heart to hearts, but West and I get along okay, and I’m happy to do the favor for Mrs. O.
Tonight, we order a pizza, grab a couple drinks, and sit outside as the sun sets. It’s cool enough I keep my jacket on. Dante darts around the grass chasing bugs. Juniper lies under a tree.
“You’re quiet,” West says. He’s a few years older than I am, with brown hair that’s still winning the war against the grays and a face that’s on the thin side of handsome.
“Not much to say.” I lift up my slice. “Pizza’s good. You get it from somewhere new?”
West gives me what can only be calleda look. “Nana says she’s worried about you.”
“Me? No, you’ve got that backwards. She’s worried about you.”
He knows we’ve essentially been set up on grown-up playdates, but if we’re hanging out with each other, then Mrs. O won’t be pestering West to make friends elsewhere, so we’re good with the arrangement. Most of the time, we make small talk or watch some TV. Sometimes he comes out to my place and helps with a project. We built a ramp this summer to help Juniper up the front steps.
I didn’t realize I wasn’t the only one Mrs. O had approached about looking out for someone.
West is still waiting for an answer, so I roll my eyes. “It’s not like I ask you aboutyourpersonal life.”
He gets quiet at that. Quieter. He bites into his pizza and stares off into the distance where Dante has chased a squirrel up a tree. West goes to take a sip of his soda, then grimaces and sets the can down.
Great. Now I’ve upset him.
“I met this guy today,” I say, trying to catch his attention. Jesus, I sound like a fourteen-year-old with a crush.
West laughs to himself. “In town?”
“As opposed to?”
He shrugs. “Online?”
Ugh. “I’m too old for that shit.”
“You’re younger than me.”
“That doesn’t mean I want to shop for people on my phone. It’s creepy.” I know guys who have met great partners on apps, but I’ve never seen the appeal. If you can’t look someone in the eye and talk to them, it’s never going to feel real.
But I liked what I saw in Charlie’s eyes too much.
“Do you think he’s kinky?” West asks.
If he isn’t, he should be. A guy like that could be very popular in certain communities.
West laughs softly, and I must have said that last part out loud.
“Well, if you’re not going to try, maybe I will,” he says, finishing his pizza and grabbing another slice.
And the idea of West, or anyone, with Charlie is enough to make me sit up straighter in my chair. Because I already said I can’t see him again, but I don’t like the image of someone else stepping in either.
