Page 5 of Puppy Love

She wipes her mouth with her napkin and shakes her head. “I don’t like anything that comes out of the water.”

Interesting. “What about steak?”

“I love steak,” she says.

I finish off my food and put my fork down. “Alright, tomorrow I’ll make steak. What about potatoes?”

She smiles and I see a very light blush creep up her neck. I’m not sure what is making her blush, but I like it.

“Yes, I like potatoes too.”

There’s a bit of awkward silence and I don’t do good with that. “How was work?”

She looks at me, a little shocked. “Oh, it was fine. Busy,” she says.

“Cambri, can I ask you something?”

“Of course,” she says, looking over at Ace as he whines at the back door.

I get up and let him out, taking her plate to the kitchen. “Are you finished?”

“Yes, thank you again.”

I grab a beer out of the fridge and lift one toward her. She nods her head, so I open it and hand it to her, sitting back down.

“What did you want to ask me?”

I sip my beer and look at her. “Are you uncomfortable with me?”

She pulls back a bit, widening her eyes. “No, of course not. I wouldn’t have asked you to move in if I was. Why would you even think that?” she asks.

“Well, you blushed when I asked what you like to eat. You looked shocked when I asked about work. It just seems like maybe you don’t want me getting to know you or something,” I admit.

She shakes her head, looking down at her beer. She begins picking the label as she sighs. “Well, that’s because I’m not used to someone asking me questions like that,” she whispers.

“But you’ve had friends and boyfriends before, right?”

She nods.

I continue, “And what? They never asked you how your day was or what you like to eat?”

She glances up at me and gives me a sad smile. “No, they didn’t. I guess I’m not really good at picking guys. The last few really only wanted one thing and after they got it, they were gone. There were no meals shared or questions asked.” She covers her face with her hands and groans. “I sound pathetic.”

I reach over and pull her hands away, smiling when her eyes connect with mine. “You don’t sound pathetic at all. You think you’re the only one who’s bad at picking someone? Hell, my last girlfriend never even knew my last name and we were together for a month,” I say, laughing.

She laughs and seems to relax a bit, which is what I was going for. “It’s why I said I like being single. I’d rather be lonely.”

I get up to let Ace in and he runs right to Cambri, laying his head in her lap. He always knows when someone needs a little extra love. She smiles, petting him and I tip back my beer enjoying the view.

“Well, I don’t think you’ll be lonely now. You’ve got me and Ace. We both like giving pretty girls attention,” I say.

She blushes and I chuckle knowing it would happen. I’m just getting to know her, but I already know even the littlest of things will cause that blush.

“What do you say we finish these beers on the couch and get to know each other.”

She looks at me, a little uncertain.

I laugh, standing up, and Ace races to be by my side. “Talking, Cambri. You know, hopes, dreams, childhood disasters, family drama,” I say, walking to the couch.

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