Page 110 of Crash & Burn

I was supposed to meet Annie at the animal shelter she was volunteering at, but I got so buried in work that I didn’t even look up from my computer until it was time for me to leave.

I send her a quick text, that I won’t be coming, and she responds with a picture that makes my heart stop.

Eddie and Luke are holding two golden retrievers that look to be about six months old.

I text back my reaction in the form of emojis before I go back to work. I want my full attention to be on Eddie tonight, so I need to get the work done.

Being a chronic worrier, diagnosed with depression and anxiety four years ago, I have found that emptying my brain is easier said than done.

Finishing my work is essential for being able to fully be present with Eddie, and that is something that took me years to figure out about myself.

In more ways than one.

I spent so much time in my life worrying about what was coming next or thinking through any and all possibilities rather than being in the moment.

There are so many memories I wish I could look back on and see more clearly, but they are clouded due to me not being able to have fully enjoy them.

There is a knock on my door just as I close my laptop for the night, and I glance at my oven clock from where I am sitting at my kitchen island to see Eddie is right on time.

I thought I would have time to shower and change, but I had more work to do than I thought.

I look down at Eddie’s white hoodie and my black yoga pants, and I guess this is my attire for my second official date with Eddie Ramirez.

“Hi, raindrop,” I say as I open my door. The nickname coming out of my mouth so naturally, a term of endearment now rather than a smartass retort.

He leans in to kiss me on the cheek, a sweet gesture that is ruined when he whispers in my ear, “I don’t think you know what seeing you in my clothes does to me, sunshine.” I can’t control the grin on my face hearing his nickname for me. Out of everything he calls me, I think it is my favorite. And I can’t control the heat rushing to my chest at the seductive tone of his voice, reminding me of that dirty mouth of his.

He steps inside my apartment as if he didn’t just make me melt, and I notice the plastic bag in his hand.

“What do you have there?” I manage to ask, feeling a little dizzy at how fast he can flip the switch of sexy to sweet. At least this switch, both sides are therealhim.

He sets the bag down next to my laptop on the kitchen island.

“Movie snacks,” Eddie answers as if sayingduh.

I open the bag and see a king-sized Twix and a king-sized Kit Kat, reminding me of our road trip together. My favorite and his, along with something else.

A dog toy.

“And this?” I ask, pulling out the knotted pink rope. Realization hits me. “Wait, you got a dog?!” I thought the picture Annie sent me was just posed, not ahey look at the two hooligans who just adopted dogs.

“Her name is Daisy. Your brother is having a bonding session with her as we speak. Luke adopted her sister, Rosie.”

“Her name is Daisy?” I can’t help but smile, looking at Eddie’s grin as he pulls out his phone to show me all the pictures he took of her in the past few hours. Her in the bed he picked up for her on the way home. Mateo holding her. Eddie kneeling down next to her, hugging her.

Oh my god, my ovaries can’t take it.

“She is the most laid back, calm puppy I have ever met. You’re going to love her.” The pride in his voice when he talks about her makes me emotional. I have this sudden urge to cry happy tears at how happy Eddie looks right now.

“Of course I will. I can’t wait to meet her!”

“You can come over to meet her, if you want. Mateo hasn’t been home much. I think he is seeing someone.”

“Seeing someone?” My brother isdating? This is news to me. Mateo and I talk on an almost-daily basis about random shit, whether it is catching up, sending each other stupid sibling memes, or discussing Cross My Heart stuff.

“Yeah, we’re not doing this. You want to know, you ask him.”

My annoyance at the line Eddie draws only lasts a second because I know he is right.

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