Page 83 of Embers of You
I look over at the lump curled up with my fluff on the dog bed. “You think he needs to be bathed way more than he does.”
“He’s not a city dog. He’s out here running in the mud and animal poop every day so I think he needs one more often than those dogs you’re used to in California,” he says with a fake exaggerated country accent that makes me laugh.
“If you say so; you can bring him by whenever I’m working. I’ll always squeeze him in.”
He plates a sandwich, walks over, setting it in front of me as he leans down so our faces are only inches apart. He looks like he wants to say something, and I just wait to hear what it is. After what seems like forever he bends down so our lips graze. “Thank you.”
Some part of me knows that’s not what he was wanting to say, but I don’t question it. Instead, I lean into his gentle kiss, trying to chase him for more when he pulls away.
“Eat,” he instructs, going back to the stove.
“So bossy,” I grumble, taking a bite of the hot, perfectly melted sandwich.
“You seem to like it when I’m bossy.”
“I also like it when you’re sweet.”
“Good thing I like being sweet to you, too.”
I take another bite. “Good thing.”
I decidedto surprise Jameson one of the days he’s working. It’s a bit of a risk, and one that may have me crossing over some lines, but I don’t think he’ll mind. I go to his parents’ place, nervous about being here without him.
I’m parked outside, chewing on my bottom lip, debating whether this is a good idea or not. I’m about to turn around and leave because this was a dumb idea. It feels weird, and I should leave the cute stuff up to him. He’s better at being a romantic than I am.
As I turn my car on, Jameson’s mom steps out onto the front porch and waves to me. I guess there’s no leaving now. Pasting a smile on my face, I step out to greet her.
“Sutton, sweetie, what are you doing here?” She has a wide smile on her face, her eyes are tired and I can tell she’s struggling to stand, but hides it by holding onto the doorknob.
“I came by to get Duke, actually,” I tell her, walking up onto the porch. “Jameson said he needed a bath and I thought about surprising him while he’s at work.”
“How nice of you. Come on in for a minute.”
“I don’t want to impose.”
She waves me off. “You could never.”
Even though I’m not sure if I should, I follow her inside. That’s when I see Duke lying on his back on the couch with his front paws up in the air while he snores loudly.
“Don’t tell Jameson I let him sleep on there.” She puts her finger up to her mouth.
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“I’ve never seen him so happy, you know,” she says, pulling my attention from the sleeping Pit Bull.
“He’s probably pretty happy to be back home and spending time with you,” I tell her with a smile, but she just snorts out a laugh.
“Oh sweetie, do you really not see it?”
“See what?”
“I know my son, trust me. That man is so head over heels for you. I truly have never seen him like this before.”
My cheeks flame and I look down at my feet unsure of what to say to that. “I don’t think that has anything to do with me.”
She smiles. “It has everything to do with you.”
I’m not going to argue with her about this. I want to believe that maybe she’s right, but I feel like there has to be more to it.
