It wouldn’t even have to be anyone he knew. Did he wish it was Luca’s? Sure, because he knew what Luca’s body next to his felt like. Knew it would be familiar and warm and comforting.
But he also knew he couldn’t ask Luca. That wasn’t what they had going.
He wished there was a service you could call.Would like the heat and pressure of a body next to mine for approximately ten minutes. No other touching required. Would prefer no speaking.
And then he saw them. Crosby and Nash, right next to Young, who still cowered by the kitchen island.
Slowly, he lowered himself to his knees. Patted his thighs.
“Hey, guys,” he said, voice hoarse. “C’mere.”
Nash reached him first, his cool nose rubbing against Dell’s beard, his eyes searching Dell’s. When Dell slid all the way down to the floor, Nash immediately lay with him, snug against his stomach. Crosby rested nearby, not flush against Nash—Crosby preferred a bit of space—but close enough that he could keep his eyes on Dell, that Dell could reach out a hand and rub his soft, golden head.
After a minute, Young followed, walking around Dell to curl up at his back. Dell focused on the warmth of Nash and Young against him, on the sound of the dogs’ breathing and the wind rustling through the trees outside.
It wasn’t exactly what Dell wanted.
But it was enough.
ten
Mae leanedagainst her car and pulled her coat closer around her neck.
Shelly’s Café was up the road from downtown Greyfin Bay, at the edge of the long, marshy inlet that held the national wildlife refuge. The small restaurant’s gravel parking lot sat next to a wide, open expanse of reeds and seagrasses, and the unimpeded breeze cut through Mae’s clothes, whipped her hair around her face. It was quiet, other than the wind and the caws and songs of the birds that the refuge helped protect.
Until a crunch of gravel announced the arrival of Liv’s Volvo.
“Hey, Mae.” Both Liv’s voice and her smile seemed softer than normal. Maybe because it had been clear on the phone, how pathetic and alone Mae was feeling. “Let’s head inside.”
Shelly’s was warm and humid. The sweet and salty smell of breakfast food was cut through the middle by the bitter scent of coffee. Mae’s joints finally began to relax as soon as they crossed the threshold.
“Thanks again for meeting me,” Mae said as she flipped open a menu. “And for bringing me here.”
“Haven’t been here before, I take it?” Liv pushed her menu to the side, like she didn’t need it. Mae smiled at the idea of Liv already knowing her Shelly’s order. Liv seemed like the sort of person who was born to be a regular.
“No.” It was close to 101, but not directly off it; Mae still mostly only knew the places she’d driven by before. And she hadn’t honestly been driving many places other than Dell’s house, 12 Main Street, and Oregon Coast Community College.
“Hmm.” Liv crossed her arms, rested them atop the table. Like she had thoughts about Mae not knowing about Shelly’s.
But the server returned before she could share them.
Mae ordered the french toast; Liv ordered an omelet and coffee. Mae took a sip of her water and glanced around at the decor. Like a lot of places on the coast, it seemed trapped somewhere between making an attempt to modernize—the logo and design of the menu had seemed new, current—while mostly being stuck in the 1970s. But the wood-paneled walls, the old picture frames comforted her. She liked being in a place that Liv Gallagher trusted.
“So. Something happen with Dell?”
Mae blinked back at her. She hadn’t mentioned Dell on the phone, but it made sense that Liv would guess it. What other connections did Mae have here, after all?
“Yeah.” Mae breathed out, wondering if being here at all, processing this with Liv, was a betrayal to Dell.
“C’mon, go ahead and spill it.” Liv made a brief gesturing motion. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Kellerman.”
Mae’s lips parted.
“That’s it,” she said. “That’s exactly what it looked like.”
Their server returned with Liv’s coffee. Liv stirred in two sugars, spoon clacking against the inside of the mug as she raised an eyebrow at Mae.
“Sorry.” Mae shook her head, clearing some of the cobwebs. “So, today is my one month anniversary of moving here.”
