Page 21 of Beyond the Stroke

Back on the boardwalk, she attaches Lulu’s leash, then unties the other dogs from the wooden post. I slip on my shoes, then drop down to rub the head of a sweet looking Dachshund. The name on its tag says Cali.

“Hi, Cali. Nice to meet you.”

“Cali doesn’t like strangers.”

When Cali plants her paws on my feet and leans into me, I glance up at Wildflower. It’s the name I’d given her afterreplaying everything the past two days and wondering if I’d made her up.

She sighs. “I’m sorry I left. I had to get home to Edgar.”

“Edgar?” I chuckle at the formal name. “Who’s Edgar? Your boyfriend?”

She presses her lips together.

“Um...”

“I get it. Maybe this thing with Edgar is a situationship? Something you haven’t put a label on yet?”

She rolls her shoulders back. “No, we’re definitely together.”

I nod and give her an easy smile, but beneath my ribcage, disappointment surges through me. It makes no sense. I’m not looking for a relationship right now, but seeing this woman again is doing funny things to my insides. And hearing her talk about the guy she’s dating is strangely devastating.

“I’ve got to get going.” With one hand holding the leashes, she opens her backpack with the other to pull out a skateboard.

I’m not ready to let her go. I nod to the board. “You skateboard?”

“No, I just carry it around with me so I can ward off strange men that try to talk to me.”

She’s talking about me, of course, but I think she’s kidding.

“Strange men, huh?” I look around. “I don’t see any of those around, but I’ll hang here so no one bothers you.” I give her a wide grin.

The exasperated look on her face has me in a chokehold. It’s like she doesn’t understand why I’d want to be near her, and it’s that expression that only makes me want to get closer. To know more about her.

“How long have you been shredding?” I ask.

“Long enough.”

She’s giving me nothing, yet I’m having the best time talking to her. Or at least trying to talk to her.

“Are you upset with me?” I ask.

“What?” She looks confused.

“Did I do something wrong? With the tail removal? During your asthma att?—"

“No,” she cuts me off sharply. “It’s not you. It’s me.”

“Wow. Already getting the speech and I don’t even know your name.” I tap one of the wheels of her skateboard, sending it into motion. “You know, I’ve always wanted to learn.”

Ignoring me, she guides the dogs down the boardwalk, and I fall into step beside her.

“Yeah, well, today’s not the day, Flipper.”

She turns to sidestep me.

“Flipper?” I beam at the nickname. It’s not masculine or sexy, but I’ll take anything that has this woman’s brain giving me a second thought. “I like it.”

She laughs under her breath. “You would.”

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