In forty-five minutes, my life would change. I wasn’t sure if I was ready.
Thirty-eight minutes later, I opened the door.
Mom squealed. “This’ll be so fun. Thank you for asking us.”
“You’ll hardly know we’re here.” Dad winked.
Pookie ran down the hall, playing with one of her fuzzy toys.
“Your kitty got out of the bedroom.” Mom stiffened.
“Pookie lives here, Mom. She doesn’t stay in the bedroom all the time.” I hadn’t even thought about that being a problem.
How was it that Adam was more understanding of my ill-behaved kitten than my mom?
“We’ll just have to keep our bedroom door closed.” She smiled. “Where should your dad put the bags?”
“In the guest room.” I walked out with Dad and helped carry the suitcases. “Oh, here’s the spare key. Did y’all hire Derek? He did a great job on my place.”
“I did. He’ll get started sometime this week.” He stopped before walking back into the house. “It’ll be about two months. You sure that’s okay?”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“We’ll try to be good houseguests.”
“It’ll be fine. I just hope my cat doesn’t bother Mom too much.”
Dad chuckled as he pushed open the door. “I had a cat when I met your mom.”
“What happened to it?” Only part of me wanted to know the answer.
“He scratched her pretty good one night. She sat down and didn’t realize he was there. It startled him, and his claws caught her leg as he ran away. We were dating at the time. Mom left and said not to bother calling until the cat was gone.”
“That’s terrible. What did you do?”
“I gave the cat to Uncle Harvey.”
“Muffin was your cat?” I had vivid memories of the orange tabby with the scratchy meow.
“Yep. He lived for a long time. Sweet cat.” Dad set the suitcases down. “But I’m sure Mom will get along just fine with your cat.”
“I remember Muffin. When we’d visit Uncle Harvey, I’d carry that cat around like a baby. He never scratched me or complained. I loved that cat.”
“It’s not just that she doesn’t like them. She’s afraid of them. I doubt she’d ever admit it, but watch her.”
“I can’t believe you gave away your cat.”
“Your mom was worth it.”
Suddenly, dots connected in my head, and I propped my hands on my hips. “Why are you telling me this story?”
Dad pulled back in surprise. “We were talking about cats. That’s why.” His eyes narrowed. “But now I want to know what’s got you all fired up.”
“Because Mom was giving me a hard time about Adam having dogs.”
“If he likes you enough, he’ll get rid of them.” Dad headed down the hall. “I was going to take your mom out to dinner. You want to come along?”
“Y’all go. I don’t much feel like going out. Thank you though.”
Dad’s words played in my head, and they made my stomach hurt. Adam loved those dogs, and it was clear they loved him. I didn’t even want to imagine the sadness in Butch’s brown eyes if Adam tried to leave that dog with someone else.
I scooped up Pookie. “Let’s get you something yummy. Would you like that?”
She purred as if she knew I was getting her the good stuff.
Mom and Dad left, and I pulled back the foil on a can of pâté while Pookie wove between my legs. I’d only had my little bundle of fur six months, and I couldn’t fathom giving her away.
While Pookie licked every last morsel from her dish, I tossed together a quick salad and added smoked salmon. As I drizzled vinaigrette on the top, my phone buzzed.
Do you have houseguests? I need to know so I can gather pebbles to throw at your bedroom window. Adam followed his text with a wink.
They moved in less than an hour after I invited them. So you’ll definitely need pebbles.
Any chance I could take you to lunch on Tuesday?
I’d like that. I sent the text then picked up the phone and dialed.
“Hey.” Adam’s smile added a lilt to his voice. “I’m glad you called.”
“Mom and Dad went to dinner. So I have a few minutes of privacy.”
“I had fun today.”
“Me too.” I stabbed at my salad but didn’t put any in my mouth.
“I think maybe Butch was once owned by a beautiful brunette.”
I wasn’t tracking with the jump in the conversation. “Why?”
“He was so excited to see you at the trailhead. He had to be right next to you when you were here at the house. And after you left, he planted himself near the door and was there for hours.”
“Are you trying to convince me that your dog misses me?”
“Doesn’t it make him more endearing?” Adam laughed. “I’ll stop, but I wasn’t making it up. He did plop down by the door after you left.”
I loved my mom, but I wasn’t like her. Offering Adam an ultimatum—me or the dogs—wasn’t something I’d ever dream of doing. And while I’d scratched three items off my never list in the last few months, I wouldn’t change my mind about that.
Deep down, maybe I was afraid Adam wouldn’t choose me. Or maybe it made my heart ache to even think of watching him give up the dogs . . . no matter how big and slobbery they were.
“That’s kind of sweet. Maybe I do remind him of someone he used to know.”
“He could just have great taste.”
“You sure know how to flatter a woman.”
“Not all women.” His simple phrase set off an explosion in my heart.
I tucked my salad in the fridge and traipsed down the hall. “Did you have pets growing up?”
“When I was little, we had a puppy. I loved that dog. Chocolate was his name. Then we found out my little brother was allergic, and we had to find a new home for Chocolate. After that, we didn’t have any pets.”
“Oh, Adam. What a sad story. I’m so sorry. Did you ever get to visit Chocolate?”
“No. He went to people we didn’t know. I never saw him again. What about you? Any pets growing up?”
“We didn’t have any, but my aunt and uncle had this awesome cat. He was the closest thing I had to a pet.” I wasn’t ready to share the rest of the story.
“I’m glad you found Pookie.” This man said all the right things.
“Me too. I’m looking forward to Tuesday.” When it came to following the so-called rules of dating, I failed. Playing a game held no interest for me. If I liked him, I saw no reason not to make it obvious. If that changed, I’d be honest about that too.
“Me too.” Jingling from his end of the line almost drowned out his words.
“What are you doing? What’s all the noise?”
“I’m lying on my back on the floor, tossing two tennis balls across the room. Sometimes instead of fetching, the guys get distracted and start licking my face. That’s the jingling sound.” He laughed. “I’m sure that sounds absolutely horrid to you.”
The licking part did. “I like hearing you laugh.”
Flopped across my bed, I talked to Adam for another hour.
Chapter 10
Tuesday evening, I walked back into the house, planning to keep quiet about my lunch date.
Mom had only been asking about Adam and our upcoming date every chance she got. She’d asked me about what I planned to wear. She asked if I was planning to get my brows waxed beforehand. And she asked if I was sure I wanted to eat again almost anytime I opened the fridge.
Having them at the house was great.
“I’m home.” I scooped up Pookie when she ran up the hall. “Hello, sweetheart. Were you good today?”
Pookie wiggled until I put her down. She followed me into the kitchen and stood beside her food bowl. It had plenty of food, but one little spot of the bottom was visible.
I shook the bowl until food covered the bottom.
Assured that starvation wasn’t immi
nent, Pookie ate.
Mom stood at the stove. “Dinner will be ready in a minute. Why don’t you pour yourself a glass of wine? I have some news.”
Was I going to need the wine to cope with the news? “Would you like a glass?”
“No. I’ve already had two.” She grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes.
Was it too much to hope that she’d just been cutting onions?
“What’s wrong?” Instead of stopping at two fingers, I poured myself half a glass. “Why are you crying?”
“Mandy called me. Mandy Cardona. She’s so embarrassed. Please don’t be mad at her. She didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know what? Why would I be mad at her?” I pulled in a sip of the sweet white wine. I could go on about fruity high notes, but really, I liked it because it was sweet.
“Adam is dating someone else.”
The sweet wine suddenly tasted sour. “What?”
“I can’t believe he asked you out again when he’s seeing someone.”
How did Adam have time to date someone else? Between his work and all the time we spent either seeing each other or on the phone, he had little time to spare.
“What makes you think that?”
Mom lifted chicken out of the pan then added a splash of wine to deglaze. “Mandy called him, but he didn’t answer, so she stopped by his house. His roommate answered the door and told her Adam was on a date.” She poured the glaze over the chicken and slid a pan of roasted asparagus out of the oven. “On a Tuesday. He must have been dating her awhile if they are getting together in the middle of the week.”
It took so much concentration to hold back laughter and not spit my wine. “Let me go change really quick.” I needed a few minutes to figure out what to say and to call Adam.
His line was ringing as I closed my bedroom door.
“Hello. How was the rest of your day?” His smooth voice made my heart flutter.
I could play nice or I could spring it on him like Mom had done to me. “You’re dating someone else?”
“What? You know that’s not true.” He didn’t even sound rattled, just confused.
I laughed. “Our moms think you are dating someone else. Your mom stopped by while we were at lunch. Javi told her you were out on a date.”
“You have to tell your mom the truth.”
“I will.” I shifted the phone from one side to the other as I pulled off my work clothes. “When she told me, I didn’t want to laugh, so I left the room saying I was going to change clothes.”
“Is that what you’re doing now?”
“Behave. Anyway, when I sit down to dinner, I’ll come clean. Just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“I appreciate that. Sorry Javi spilled our secret.”
“No biggie. I’d love to talk longer, but dinner is already on the table. That is one upside of having them stay here. Mom had dinner ready when I got home.”
“Mind if I call you tonight?”
“I’d like that. Talk to you later.” I ended the call and ran out to the dining room.
Mom stared at the table, the tissue clutched in her hand, while Dad heaped food on his plate.
I couldn’t let the misunderstanding continue any longer. “I was the one at lunch with Adam today.” I picked up the tongs to serve myself chicken and asparagus.
“What?” Mom swatted my hand, knocking the tongs free. “Y’all have been sneaking around? His mom and I were so worried. How could you?”
“We weren’t sneaking around. We just didn’t take out an ad every time we went on a date.” I grabbed the tongs again, getting hungrier the longer I sat at the table.
Mom crossed her arms. “How many times have y’all seen each other?”
“Dear, they are adults. She doesn’t have to tell us every time she goes on a date.” Dad patted her hand then looked at me. “But if he gives you any trouble, I want to hear about it.”
Finally, Mom served herself food. “Now I’m put in the awkward position of having to tell Mandy that her son is keeping things from her.”
“I doubt he tells his mom every time he gets a new toothbrush.”
Mom was making too big a deal out of it. “You are not a new toothbrush.”
“I know, Mom. This chicken is really good. Can I get the recipe?”
“It’s just a little of this and that. If I can remember what I put in it, I’ll jot it down.”
Mom started eating, and I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the conversation had finally moved on.
“I’m surprised after only a week that you are having lunch together in the middle of a workday.”
“He doesn’t work a regular schedule. Lunch was a convenient time to see each other.”
“What does he do?” Mom cocked her head.
This was where I had to be careful. My parents had no idea that Adam had responded to the call at their house. They also didn’t know I was in the bathtub when the tree fell. I’d left out that part of my story. But Mom rarely accepted one-word answers.
I sipped my wine. “He’s a fireman.”
“Oh? Does he work here in town? What area?” Mom always wanted to know a little bit more.
“Here in town. I’m not sure what station number.” That part was true. I had no idea what number was mounted to the side of the station closest to my parents’ house.
“Wow. A fireman. Mandy didn’t mention that.”
Mandy would tell Mom where Adam worked. I’d only delayed the questions. For now, I was okay with that.
Tucked under the covers, I read, waiting for my phone to ring, well buzz. I had the ringer off. Mom didn’t need to know about the late-night calls.
Pookie curled up near my feet, tired after chasing her shadow all evening.
When my phone buzzed, I set my book aside. “Hi. If I were a toothbrush, would I be labeled soft, medium, or hard?”
“See, this is why I like you. Medium.”
“Why?”
“Well, I sometimes wonder if soft bristles really work well. Are they all fluff and no function? Hard—they’re named that for a reason. That’s no fun. But you land in that happy medium.”
“Good answer.” I adjusted my pillows, preparing for a long conversation.
“Did you salvage my reputation?”
“I think so. But apparently my mom didn’t know what you did for a living. I told her and she asked about what station—”
“Station 49.”
“I told her I didn’t know because until just now, I didn’t know the number. I haven’t told them that I was trapped in the tub or that you rescued me. They think we met on that blind date.”
“Maybe it’s best if your dad doesn’t know about the bathtub part. He might think my intentions are less than honorable.”
“Intentions? That sounds so serious.”
“I am, Eve.”
I sat silently, absorbing his words. I felt the same way, but the dogs were part of the package, and I wasn’t yet sure I wanted that. Admitting that made me feel shallow.
“I know. Are you taking the boys for a walk tomorrow?”
“I was planning to take them on a run. I’d love to see you tomorrow since I’m off, but that might be asking too much.”
“I could meet all of you at the trailhead again.” Spending time with his dogs was the only way I would know if this would work.
“Great. I’d love to talk longer, but my mom is calling. I should probably listen to her lecture now.”
“Goodnight. See you tomorrow.”
I switched off the light. The next few weeks would be interesting, to say the least. Navigating what felt more and more like a serious relationship with my parents as spectators would be all kinds of fun.
Sensing that I needed a hug, Pookie moved and curled up on my chest.
“I’m worried about whether I can get along with his dogs. What about you?”
Pookie purred.
Maybe I should take a cue from her and not worry. Everything would work out, right
?
Maybe.
Chapter 11
Adam was already in the parking lot when I pulled in. He jumped out and closed the door.
I stepped out of my car, and he strode up, his brown eyes intense. Without saying a word, he snaked his arms around my waist and backed me against the car. His lips pressed to mine, and I was glad that his arms were holding me up.
When he broke the kiss, he rested his forehead on mine. “I’ve been wanting to do that since we talked last night.”
“Um, wow.” I slowed my breathing, hoping my heartrate would follow suit. This was an aerobic exercise I could get used to.
“What I said last night, I meant. I’m not asking you to say anything about how you feel.” He glanced at his truck. “I know you have stuff to figure out.”
I smoothed the fabric on his t-shirt, appreciating the firm muscles beneath the cotton. “I found out that the cat I loved so much used to belong to my dad. After the cat scratched Mom when they were dating, she told Dad not to bother calling until the cat was gone.”
Adam brushed his hand on my cheek. “I’d never ask you to get rid of Pookie.”
“I’m glad. But I was thinking of Butch and Sundance. Remember how I said your schedule was part of the fireman package?” I really needed to find a different way of saying that. “Well, those guys”—I pointed at his truck—“they are part of the Adam package. I need to figure out if I can do that.”
He swallowed and nodded.
“That’s why I wanted you to bring them along.” I cupped his face. “I’m trying.”
“I know.” He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead. “Let’s get going.” He opened the truck and attached the leashes before the dogs hopped out.
I backed away from the truck.
Butch ran toward me, but the leash stopped him.
“Hey, buddy, stay down, okay?” I inched closer and patted his head.
Adam chuckled. “You might want to be a bit firmer.”
Sundance didn’t think it was fair that I wasn’t giving him attention, so he strained his neck, trying to lick my hand.
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