Page 25 of Guarding My Love

She wasn’t sure what to make of that statement, but the fact he was trying to be nice and friendly helped. “I’ve had men say that to me before. That I’m way too high maintenance. And other times, that is what draws them in.”

“They haven’t seen you painting, pulling weeds, burning cookies or smoking up your lawn mower then, have they?”

She burst out laughing to the point she was almost doubled over with it. Then she snorted and covered her face in her hands.

“Why do I do all these stupid things in front of you?”

“Because you’re being yourself?” he asked.

“Maybe. I guess I’m not used to that either and it’s part of me making this change.”

“What change?” he asked.

“Well,” she said. “You don’t like to talk, but you seem to be asking a lot of questions. So I’m going to ask you one. Rather than stand out here and smell this burnt oil, would you like to come in and I can make us some coffee or tea? Or anything you want. I don’t have beer and something tells me you’re a beer drinker, so sorry about that. Maybe next time.”

There was the hesitation again, but he nodded. “Coffee sounds good.”

“Follow me,” she said.

She moved up the deck knowing he was behind her. Marco came to greet her but moved past her and went right to Foster.

“I think your dog likes me,” he said, bending down to pick the puppy up. “He’s growing pretty fast too.”

“He’s a traitor. I think he likes the male bonding. If I brought treats out, he’d come to me, but it’s fine.”

She moved over and pulled out coffee beans and started to grind them.

“You make the good stuff?” he asked.

“I do. Most times. Since I’m working from home, I can. When I was rushing out the door to get to the office, I didn’t have as much time.”

“I grind my own too,” he said.

“Then you must get up at the crack of dawn as early as you go to work,” she said, setting everything to brew.

She moved over and got the jar of treats down for Marco and set them on the table. Foster took one and handed it off.

“Now he’s going to like me even more,” he said.

“Probably,” she said. “You asked about my change. I said it was a long story, but I’ll give you the condensed version.”

“It has to do with a guy,” he said. “Right?”

“Doesn’t everything always come back to a guy?” she asked.

“Not for me,” he said, smirking.

“Then a woman for you,” she said.

“Still not me,” he said.

“Because you’re so open and friendly with people,” she said, laughing.

“I am with you,” he said.

That shut her up.

She grabbed two mugs off the wall where they were hanging, filled their cups and brought his to the table. She took the creamer out of the fridge to add to hers but wasn’t surprised when he passed on it and drank it black.

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