Page 46 of Guarding My Love

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “He was jumping around and barked so I thought he had to go out. He’s never bolted when I open the door and I wasn’t prepared and the leash was yanked out of my hand.”

She was sucking in a breath from her sprint. She didn’t even want to guess how long the driveway was but longer than a sprint she’d ever done in gym class on a track.

“It’s fine,” he said. “I heard the barking before I heard the yelling.”

“Maybe he just wanted to see you,” she said.

“Could be he missed me,” he said.

“It looks it,” she said.

“How is your sister doing?” he said. “I’m assuming she had the baby?”

“Yes,” she said. “Thank you for asking. Harper was born on Friday about six hours after I got there. I’m glad I left Thursday night and spent the night in Plymouth to get on the first ferry. Otherwise, I might have missed the birth.”

He nodded. How could he look so handsome to her?

He was in a black T-shirt that was more fitted to him than most shirts she’d seen on him. His shorts were gray, just flat front cotton ones with a button and zipper. Nothing fancy or special. His feet were bare.

He had some big feet on him that she hadn’t noticed before in his sneakers.

“But you still got to visit,” he said, looking up at her.

“I did. It was nice. You got your hair cut.”

“What?” he asked, his hands going up to his hair. “Yeah. I’ve been putting it off and couldn’t any longer.”

She liked it a little long and messy. It was still a bit wind-blown but trimmed around his neck and ears now.

“How was your holiday weekend?” she asked.

“Fine,” he said. “I went to visit family on Sunday too. Just a few of them.”

She smiled. “I thought you didn’t like being around family.”

“I don’t have a problem with it most times. It’s when everyone is together,” he said. He picked Marco up and put him on his lap. The pup barely fit now. “I can’t believe how big he’s gotten in a few days.”

“Been more than a few days since you’ve seen him,” she said without thought.

Guess her words had more bite to them because his head snapped up. “Sorry about that.”

“What are you sorry about?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“For kissing you,” he said. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

Her mouth opened and closed a few times while he stared at her. Not what she expected he’d say.

It only made her think that Amanda was right.

He was making moves off what she’d told him about her past.

“Maybe I wanted you to do that,” she said.

“You did?” he asked. Now he looked slightly shocked.

“Yes. Why do you seem surprised?”

“Because as you pointed out it’s been over a week. I thought I offended you.”

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