“Attached to the dog much?” he teases.
“Yes,actually. I adopted him a year ago. Since the ex was allergic and now it is no longer an issue. Romeo is the best. Got me back into nature, comes with me to work, loves kids, but he does eat a lot.”
Christ, I sound like a crazy cat lady sans the cat.
“At least Labradors go swim and run. My parents’ dog is more a yappy show dog.”
“Sorry. It was rude of me to check,” I apologize, but Lucas just continues to smile at me.
“I guess it’s like out with the old and in with the new. You were living without a dog and got one when you were independent again. Me? I got the dream house I wanted.”
“Exactly. I did a total cleanse so had little to move here. I even threw out most of my clothes and bought all new underwear and lingerie—” I stop my sentence and realize that wine is hitting me and I’m getting adventurous with my words. I’m feeling a little light, to be honest.
Lucas’s jaw nearly drops, and the look on his face is one of fascination and glee. His lips roll in as if he’s trying to stop an even bigger smile from spreading on his cheeks.
“This is interesting information.” There is a cunning grin on his face.
Just on time, our crème brulée arrives with wine.
“I think I will go easy on the wine,” I declare with a confident smile.
He just continues to look like he is enjoying the night.
We both tuck our spoons into the decadent dessert that we decided to share. Our spoons dancing with one another the way I would like to dance with him one day. He lets out a moan when he tastes the dessert and leans back into his chair.
“So, should we finally speak about the elephant in the room?” He says it so matter-of-fact and casual.
I lean against my propped arm on the table. “Ah. We’re being a little crazy to go over this. Spring Break my senior year, you mean?” I throw on a half-smile, because in all honesty this is kind of funny in hindsight. “There is nothing to talk about. It was awkward and it was right to stop. I mean, I definitely wasn’t skilled.”
He squints an eye at me. “That doesn’t matter. You were still sweet.” It comes out sentimental almost. “And wait, are you implying that I was experienced? I mean, true, I had more experience, but I wasn’t sleeping around if that’s what you thought.”
I shake my head no. “I know. You seemed like the kind of guy who would always make it romantic and would only do something if you were dating. I know your parents taught you well.”
His face almost looks cartoonish as he doubts my logic. “I guess anything before age twenty doesn’t count, right?” He grins.
“That is an excellent theory that I am in agreement with.” I return a similar look.
After paying the bill, he drives me back to my place in his SUV, and I notice the child seat in the back that reminds me he has a son.
My body is a bundle of nerves. I’m not sure how tonight will end. I know how I want it to end—his lips on mine. But I don’t think I’m ready for more.
I have a strange inkling that Lucas and I are on the same wavelength of thought and that in a way helps ease me. The drive back becomes relaxed. We comment on new places in Sage Creek that didn’t exist when we were growing up. I also remind him where to watch out for deer on the road.
“For a protector of animals, you had no problem downing some cow back there in the restaurant.”
My head rolls against the headrest to look at him. “Hey, I’m a vet, not an animal activist in Sage Creek, and deer around here are a big thing. I always get calls from people asking if I can come save a deer they accidently hit with their car or they wake up in the morning to find a deer lying in their yard. Even moose sometimes too.”
“Really? People put in the effort to save a wild animal?”
“Yeah. Even had someone asking if I could save a squirrel. I told them to phone the wildlife ranger. Squirrels are not my forte. Would love to have more experience with wild and farm animals, but those fellowships are hard to get. I applied for one but didn’t get it, but it’s okay since Dr. Murphy was ready to retire, so timing worked out,” I explain and decide to turn the music up in his car.
“Good song, right?” He looks at me briefly before focusing on the road again.
I sing and move my head as I get into the jam.
Lucas smiles then sings a verse.
We both laugh then sing together.
