I guess I do. I guess I can’t stand the thought of having the means to help someone and ignoring them. It’s not in my nature tonothelp someone, and it makes me feel good to know that I’ve made a difference to someone’s life.
“Would you like something to drink? I have coffee, soda, beer, wine…”
“I’ll have a glass of wine, but only if you join me.”
“Of course.” I smile.
“I think he likes you,” I say, nodding to Romeo who snuggles against Royce’s side as I pour out two glasses of red wine, sliding a glass along the coffee table towards him before taking my own. “Usually he’s a little wary of guests and sticks to my side like glue, looks like he’s got a new favourite person,” I point out, feeling a stab of jealousy as I look at my dog cuddled up to a total stranger. Seems I’ve been forgotten.
The traitor.
“I had a dog once when I was a kid. My mom ditched us and I barricaded myself in my room for days, didn’t come out at all. My dad bought me a dog to try to cheer me up. I loved that dog,” he tells me sadly.
“What happened?”
“One day my dad left the front door open by accident and the dog got out. I never saw him again.”
“I’m so sorry, that must have been awful. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost Romeo. You know, sometimes I think I prefer animals over people,” I say. “They can’t hurt you like people can. I read somewhere once that a dog is only a part of your life, but you’re the whole of theirs.”
“I think I read that somewhere too,” he adds with a smile.
Romeo has his head on Royce’s lap, fast asleep, snoring softly and it’s like he’s known Royce for years, not less than an hour.
“So, Mister‘I hate Christmas’, why do you hate the holidays so much?” I ask.
“You’d hate it too if you were handed divorce papers on Christmas morning,” he deadpans, lifting the glass to his lips and taking a swig of his wine.
“Are you serious?” I gasp.
“Found out she was cheating on me with my best friend and business partner. Told me she was leaving me for him.”
“Is that the business partner you bought out?”
“Yeah. Turns out she’d been sleeping with him behind my back for months.”
“Jesus. What a bitch.” I shake my head in disbelief. How could anyone be so heartless and cruel?
“Yeah. Christmas is kind of a no-go zone for me.”
“It’s hard for me too. This is my first year without my dad.” My heart squeezes in my chest. “My dad loved Christmas, he’d make sure that every year was better than the last. If I’d have know that last year would be my last Christmas with him…” My chin begins to wobble and he must see it, because he clears his throat and changes the subject.
“So, what did a douchebag like your ex do to deserve you?” He sinks further into the sofa and Romeo stirs for a moment before his head drops back down.
I swipe at the stray tear and collect myself. “We grew up together, I’ve known him all my life. Our dads were friends so it was only natural to see if things could be more between us. We dated for almost a year before I broke it off.”
His brows furrow slightly. “What happened?”
“I just… found out he wasn’t who I thought he was.” He can’t find out the truth. It’s a truth that I’ve told only one person, Maeve. No one else needs to know what he did to me. “Seems we both have bad taste when it comes to relationships,” I say with a sad smile.
“It won’t always be like that. The right man will sweep you off your feet and you’ll forget all about who came before.”
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted, you know. To fall in love. Have a family. A husband, children. Maybe a couple of dogs and a cat… no, make that two cats so the dogs don’t gang up on him.” Royce chuckles at that. “I want to maybe set up a homeless shelter or something, or a food bank… That’s my dream.”
“A homeless shelter?”
“Yeah. All I’ve ever wanted to do is help people, give to those most in need. Helping people makes me happy.”
Royce’s eyes dance across my face before meeting mine, and for a moment, something passes between us, something I can’t put my finger on, and in an instant the atmosphere changes, it crackles like the log fire to my right, the heat of his stare burning into my soul.
