As they drove back toward town, Callie debated with herself whether she should just jump into Xander's truck and drive away when they got there.She liked Ollie, she really did, but she couldn't for the life of her figure out what was going on with him.She glanced over at him, and he shot her an apologetic smile.
"Is everything okay?"he asked.
"I feel like I should be the one asking you that question," she said.
"What do you mean?"
"Just the..."She didn't want to offend him, but she had to say it."Don't take this the wrong way, but I feel like you're acting really weird."She let out a short laugh."Or maybe it's just me.Maybe I just don't know you."
When he glanced over at her again, she had to say it."But even though we only met a few days ago, I felt like I did know you."
His shoulders sagged."You mean before today, don't you?"
"Yeah."
"Sorry.I need to explain myself."He took a deep breath, looking so tortured that she had to stop him.
"No, you really don't.It's okay.I mean, if this wasn't what you were expecting, if I'm not...you can say that too, you know.I mean, sure, there was a spark between us when we met, but maybe we're not the same kind of people."She laughed, wanting to ease the tension between them."I expect I'm not like the girls you usually go out with, and that's not a problem.We did say that we could be friends, right?Maybe it's for the best if we leave it at that."
"No."The way he said it so emphatically took her by surprise."Sorry," he said immediately."I'm not trying to boss you around.I definitely wouldn't try to boss you into going out with me if you don't want to.All I really meant was, I know I've been weird today, and I'm sorry.But I'm still hoping that maybe we can go on a date.Even if it's another time, since today didn't work out too well.And I'm sorry about that."
"Hey, it wasn't all bad.The dogs had a good time."
He let out a short laugh."Does that mean that you didn't?"
"Not exactly," she said with a smile.
"How about this, then," he asked."Can I at least try to make it up to you?We said we were going to eat after we took the dogs out.I understand if you want to get away from me as fast as possible, but...at least have dinner with me."
She glanced over her shoulder at the dogs in the back."I don't know how I feel about you leaving them home alone in your apartment while we go out to eat.Is there a good takeout place near you?"
Even that question seemed to throw him off his stride.Or annoy him or something — she couldn't tell what it was.
After a few moments, he said, "How about this?How about we get takeout and go back to Jacob and Becca's place?We can sit outside on the terrace by the pool.The dogs can roam around.Jacob won't mind them being there."
She pursed her lips.It sounded like the best solution, but she wasn't entirely sure that Jacob wouldn't mind Peanut and Butter being there.
"We can stop and check in with Hannah first, if you’re not sure."He gave her a rueful smile."At this point I wouldn’t blame you if you don’t want to take my word for it."
"No, it's okay."
There was no reason that Ollie and the dogs shouldn't come over.It wasn't like she was just bringing some random guy back to Becca and Jacob's house while they were away.He was someone they knew better than she did — their friend.
"It'll be good," she said decisively."Do you want to go straight there?"
"Yeah, let's do that."
"Do you need to pick up anything for the dogs?"she asked."You could drop me back at Xander's truck, and you could run in to collect whatever they need."
He shot her a quick smile."That's okay.I have everything they need with us in their bag.We can swing back that way if you want to collect Xander's truck.Or you could ride back with us later and collect it then."
"Okay.I'll collect it when we're done," she said.It might not be the best idea, but she could see the gate to the Jacobs estate approaching, so they might as well go in rather than drive all the way into town and then come back again.
Chapter Four
Ollie pulled up in front of the cottage and went around to open the back to let the dogs out.He wasn't surprised when the front door opened and Rosa came out.Rather than coming to greet him, she folded her arms across her ample chest and leaned in the doorway, watching him curiously.
"Morning," he called, grabbing the dogs' bag and waiting for them both to jump out.
