When she pulls away, she turns back to Jerry. “If anyone has a problem with him, you have a problem with me.”
I expect them all to start laughing at this tiny girl with the loads of confidence, but they don’t. It’s almost like they’re scared of her.
That’s further confirmed when she asks, “Anyone got a problem with that?”
Every one of them shakes his or her head and walks away.
Before Jerry gets too far, she stops him. “Hey! Give the kid back his comic.” As he hands it to me, she adds, “I’m a little surprised you can read.”
What the heck just happened?
She turns back toward me and pushes a strand of hair out of her face. “They shouldn’t bother you anymore.”
“Uhm, thanks,” I reply. “Not that I’m complaining, but why’d you do that?”
She shrugs her shoulders while wiggling her mouth back and forth as she thinks. “I don’t like it when people are jerks just because they can be. There’s no reason for them to be mean just because you’re new. Plus, Jerry bugs me.”
“Well, thanks again.”
She looks up at me with those big eyes. “What are you doing right now?”
“Uh, I was just going to go home. Why?”
“I’m on my way to volunteer at the animal shelter. I go and walk the dogs. Do you want to come with? We can get to know each other better.”
“Sure. Sounds great.”
She smiles. “Okay, let’s go. I’m Jo by the way.”
“Beau.”
“Ha. Jo and Beau. I like it.”
As we walk and talk, I only have one thought.
One day, I’m going to marry this girl.
Chapter two
The Horizontal Mambo
Beau
“Do you know how much I love you?” I ask. “You’re the most gorgeous girl I’ve ever seen. Can we just lay in bed all day and do nothing?”
A pair of big brown eyes look up at me.
“What do you think?” I ask. “You think Jack would be mad if I called into work to stay home and snuggle with you?”
All I get in response is a nose pressed against mine.
A cold, wet nose.
Okay, so maybe cuddling with my 80 pound golden retriever in the morning isn’t exactly romantic, but I don’t care. Mia is the only lady guaranteed to never break my heart.
She gives a small lick to my cheek and then stares at me.
I know what she’s after.
