His lips curved up into a smile, and he stepped back. “Let’s eat, then we can get ready to go.”
He was playing havoc with her. She wasn’t sure she could think straight with him this close. His touch ignited something inside her that she hadn’t ever felt before.
“So this get-together, how many people will be there?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Fifty or so, maybe more.”
“Oh, that’s a lot.”
“Yeah, it’s not everyone, of course, just people who can actually get together.”
“So weren’t you all doing a party that day I first met you?”
“Yes. We were celebrating one of our own going into remission. He’s a good guy.”
“So what is today about?”
“Just getting together with friends. If we don’t make time for friendship, we won’t have any time together.”
“That’s nice.”
“We do it a few times a year. It’s been six months since I’ve been able to attend.”
“Thank you for letting me tag along.”
He put down his fork and met her gaze. “Before that kiss, I wanted you to come because I wanted you in my life. I don’t take women with me to these things because it’s family. Even if you decide you don’t want me for more than a friend, I want to stay friends with you.”
She reached over and took his hand. “That’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said.”
“It’s the truth.”
“You’re way too nice.”
He shook his head, and she wanted to argue with him, but his doorbell rang. Fear slid through her, but the smile on his face made her think he knew who was at the door. She got up and followed him, waiting to see who was there.
Cy opened the door,glad to see Thario and Calla along with his dogs, Frog and Hope. Frog was still around, which was great, though he was older, and it was obvious he was a senior dog.
“Come in, come in. It’s good to see you two,” Cy said as he pulled Thario into a hug. He hugged Calla, then turned to see that Willa was close. “I want you two to meet Willa. This is Thario and Calla, along with their dogs, Frog and Hope.”
Frog was already beside Willa, sniffing her out, but Hope was dedicated to Thario and didn’t move from his side until he indicated that she could move to the new person.
“Hope’s training is coming along,” Cy said.
“She’s a good dog,” Calla said.
Thario nodded. “She is.” He moved to Willa and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. The dogs are nice, but if they are bugging you, just tell me, and I’ll call them to me.”
“They’re okay. They are both beautiful.”
Frog danced around her, and Thario and Calla both laughed. She smiled, not sure what they were laughing about.
“I think Frog understands most of what we say,” Calla said. “When you said he was beautiful, he got happy. I think he knows that you like him and are saying good things about him.”
Willa laughed as she petted the dogs. “They both are very beautiful.”
Frog barked and then wagged his whole body. Everyone laughed at the dogs’ antics, which didn’t calm them down at all.
“Come on in. Want anything?”
