“Your food stinks,” I add before I straighten up. When the microwave dings, I quickly mix the meal with dry food and scoop it all into Lick’s bowl before setting it down.
Knowing Lick will come outside once she’s done eating, I leave the house. As I walk toward the table where Kelcie is sitting, I notice she’s already poured wine into the glasses.
I sit down in the only available chair that’s near Kelcie’s. Usually, I’d feel bothered about being so close to another person, but there’s no discomfort as I give her a quick smile. “Thanks.”
She nods, her eyes tracking my movements as I pick up the glass and take a sip of the wine.
At least it’s sweet. The last time I had wine during a dinner with my agent, it was dry and hard to swallow.
“How do you like Verona?” she asks.
“It’s okay.”
Kelcie nods, then glances at the trees.
We sit in silence for a few minutes before I realize I need to ask her questions, or she might get suspicious of me because I’m not supposed to know much about her.
“Have you lived in Verona all your life?”
Her attention turns back to me, and she nods. “Born and raised.”
I suck in a deep breath, and my heart clenches when I ask the next question. “Does Jordan also live here?”
Her beautiful features tighten with grief as she shakes her head. “No. He lives in Naperville.”
When she doesn’t mention her parents and sister, I just don’t have the heart to ask any more questions and stare at the glass of wine.
What the fuck am I doing inserting myself into her life like this?
“And your family?” she asks.
My eyes lift to hers, and I shake my head. “No contact.”
She looks at me for a little while before she glances at the trees again.
Shit, I suck at being social. I wish I was an extrovert and I could say something to cheer her up, but instead, we sit in silence.
Lick comes out of the house and goes about her routine of finding a spot to pee. When she’s done, she picks up her ball and comes over.
I indicate to her that we won’t be playing, seeing as she’s just eaten, and she drops the ball. I pat my leg, and she comes to sit between the chairs.
Kelcie glances at me and Lick, then asks, “You taught her sign language?”
“Our own kind.” I pause before adding, “I’m not much of a talker.”
“I’m not much of a talker myself these days.”
“It’s overrated.”
We both watch as Lick cleans her paws, and when someone suddenly comes around the side of the house, my eyes instantly snap to the man.
In a split second, I take in his dark blond hair and blue eyes. I notice the possessive expression on his face as he glances between Kelcie and me.
“What’s going on here?” he asks.
When Kelcie startles, I’m hit with regret for not warning her about the unexpected visitor.
“Oh, hi, Colby,” she greets the man.
