Daphne raised her head from where she lay on her bed in the kitchen—one of many beds—and eyed me.Damn. She knows I’m going out. She won’t be pleased.But she would get to see Demetrius later—one of her favorite people—so I’d likely be forgiven.
I sat on the floor with her and gave her plenty of ear rubs and scritches. “You know you’re not hard done by. You weretotallyspoiled at Quinton’s house. And we snuggled all through last night. You acted like I’d completely abandoned you for an eternity—which, for the record, I did not. You’re here. I love you.”
She licked my nose.
“Yes—all the affection you could ever want or need.” I chuckled.
“Are all dog owners so…loving?” Clear amusement rang in Andre’s question.
I gave Daphne one final ear rub before I rose. I met Andre’s gaze. “I’m going to say not. And not all dogs are as snuggly as my girl. Plenty only want affection on their terms. Mine will take all attention anytime and anywhere. I love her for it. We’re a good match.” Especially after Marty died, and I lost my puppy as well as my husband. Then our canine died of a broken heart and—Nope. Not going to go there. Must think of better things. Like a healthy Daphne and a clearly nervous Andre.“You ready to go?” I smiled.
He nodded. “It really helps I don’t have any hair to wash.”
“That is true. Bald by choice or—”
A laugh burst from him. Such a refreshing sound. “Uh…sort of? I was going bald in a really bad way and so I’ve decided to shave my head. Bit of a pain but better than the alternative. I just couldn’t imagine myself trying to be a personal trainer while having no hair on the top of my head but having it around my ears. Just…yuck.”
“Well, bald suits you. Sort of sexy.”Shit. Shit. Shit. I didnotmean to say that out loud.
His smile was a little shy. “I would say so as well. I get way more people trying to pick me up since I started shaving my head.”
“I can see why.” I grabbed my keys off the counter.
Daphne leapt up—but stayed in her bed when I gave her the signal. She then plopped back onto her butt.
I grabbed a green treat for her.
She held out her paw. She was a quick study. The sooner she did a trick—any trick—the sooner she’d get her treat.
So I gave her the green thing and hustled Andre out the door.
He chuckled. “She’s well trained.”
I opened the door to the garage and gestured for him to go first. “Yes, she is. Or I am—totally depends on your perspective. Our dog trainer, Torah Dixon, gave us plenty of great advice. I follow it…mostly.”
“Got it.” He slid into the passenger side of the SUV.
“We could walk, but I don’t want us to feel rushed.”
He snorted. “We have almost three hours.” Then he cleared his throat. “You think that won’t be enough time?”
“It will.” I backed out of the garage, hit the remote door button, and drove toward James Street. “It’s also going to be sticky and humid. Although the walk to the restaurant is nice, it’s a pretty steep climb back up.” I hung a left onto James Street and started down said steep hill.
“Tell me about Fifties.”
I grinned. “Better just to show you. Plenty of options on the menu and oh crap.”
“Oh crapwhat?”
“Well—“ I hung a right onto the Lougheed Highway heading toward the diner. “There aren’t a ton of healthy options. I mean, I guess omelets and stuff.”
“I’m good with unhealthy food. I don’t indulge much—but I do allow myself a variety of foods.” He guffawed. “You really think I don’t eat junk? I ate Chinese food last night.”
“Well—” I turned left into the diner parking lot, nabbed one of the last spots, and thanked whomever I needed to that the line wasn’t out the door yet. The place was often hopping busy. Early on a Saturday morning was a bit of a crapshoot. “I thought we chose relatively healthy Chinese food. Nothing fried.” I cut the engine.
“No, but lots of stuff made with sweeteners.”
“Like sweet and sour pork.” I opened my door. “Point taken.”
