“Well, that’s something you don’t see every day,” my mom says. While I was lost in thought, my mom walked to the windows looking over the parking lot.
“What is it?”
“A dog in a convertible wearing sunglasses,” my mom says, laughing. “Come look!”
I stride over and glance out the window, recognizing the golden dog. “Is that Bella?” I ask, narrowing my gaze. “That definitely looks like Bella Kingston. Is she on the schedule today?” I didn’t see the retriever on the list of appointments, but Sasha or Xander could have called to bring her in if the dog was sick.
“No, she’s not,” my mom says.
A man climbs out of the Corvette, a gorgeous royal blue convertible, and strides around to get the dog from the passenger seat.
“That’s definitely Bella, but that guy is not Xander.”
The man in question tries and fails to keep the sunglasses on the dog’s face and finally tosses them onto the seat. I can’t help but laugh. People and dogs are always fun to watch. This guy has a tall, lean frame and dark brown hair. Something about him seems familiar, but I can’t place him. He grasps the leash and leads the dog on a walk, obviously doing the smart thing before bringing the pup inside.
But before he walks away, he turns toward the building long enough for me to get a good look at his face. Even with aviators on his eyes, Iknow.
“Oh, my God. It’s Axel,” I say, my stomach feeling like a kaleidoscope of butterflies has taken flight.
“YourAxel?” My mother’s voice rises in excitement.
“He hasn’t been my Axel in forever.” I cover my churning belly with my hands.
“He’s the last guy you dated, so sue me for calling him yours.”
I frown and glance at my mom. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Well, I would.”
I sigh at my mother’s persistence. “I don’t tell you everything.” Not that there is anything to tell, which is why my mother’s dig hits home.
Marsha means well and wants me happily settled, but I’ve never met a man who lives up to… well, Axel and what we shared. But it isn’t like I chose between school and career or a nunnery, for God’s sake.
My mother takes another glance between the horizontal blinds to get a better look.
“Cut it out,” I mutter.
I step away from the window and head back behind the counter, gesturing for my mother to follow. Which she does. I don’t want to get caught ogling the rock-star drummer. Even if he is my ex.
I bite down on my cheek, my heart pounding hard as I wait for him to walk in. Why is Axel here with Bella? Is he helping out his bandmate and friend? Though I make it a point not to check out gossip or celebrity sites, I couldn’t live in this small town, especially one that empties out after summer, and not know that Axel Forrester has joined Dash Kingston’s band and moved here. I’ve just been lucky enough not to have run into him before now.
We didn’t part on bad terms all those years ago. We just both had life plans that took us in different directions. I always knew we wanted different things out of life. He desired fame and travel, while I planned to settle down in a vet practice and have a family one day. When he said goodbye, saying he hoped we might reconnect in the future, I knew better. Now we’re two very different people, and seeing him again can only be awkward.
At that moment, Harry walks out of the back area. He’s a good-looking man, older, with salt-and-pepper hair and a distinguished goatee.
He glances around the empty waiting room. “Everything okay?” he asks.
“Fine. There’s a man in the parking lot who should be in any minute,” I say.
Harry nods. “I just finished eating. Would you like me to see him?”
Bless him, I think. I’m not ready to face the now-famous Axel Forrester, former drummer for Caged Chaos and now the Original Kings, and the type of man who women throw their panties at.
“Sure,” I say at the same time my mother speaks. “You’re busy, Harry,” Marsha says, stepping over to him.
“No, I have time for a break.” His eyes crinkle in confusion at our contradictory replies.
“Good idea. Go take a break.” My mom urges him toward the back, her hands pushing at his arm.
