Page 22 of I Knew He Was Trouble
Evie’s nose wrinkles as she nibbles on her food. “She always squeezes me too tight, and her room smells like old people.”
My sip of lemon water goes down the wrong pipe as I try to hide my laughter. I can’t deny anything she just said when it’s all true. After a few small coughs, I say, “She loves you though.”
Every Thursday, I go to a local florist shop on my way home from work, buy a fresh bouquet, and stop by to give it to my aunt. Since my great-uncle passed and my parents are traveling the world, I try to make sure she’s taken care of. It means I get home from work an hour later than usual on Thursdays, but I’m used to the routine now, and I typically enjoy my time with my great-aunt—except for when she’s smothering me in one of her hugs or trying to set me up on a date.
When I got home today, a part of me hoped Kelsey might’ve made dinner again even though I told her it wasn’t necessary, but instead of the smell of a home-cooked meal, I walked into my living room reeking of nail polish. I wasn’t mad about it, because there’s no way I’d have been able to paint Evie’s nails half as well as Kelsey did.
There she is again, popping into my mind unbidden. It seems the more I’ve been around Kelsey, the more she appears in my thoughts like a nagging fly that won’t leave you alone on a warm summer day.
It’s not like I’ve even spent that much time with her. Kelsey leaves my house every day just as quickly as I arrive, as if she can’t stand to be in the room with me for a second longer than necessary. I try not to let it get to my head. Besides, all my appointments ran over today, leaving me without a lunch break, so I was much too hungry to think about anything other than filling my growling stomach.
But now that my stomach is full of gooey cheese and pepperoni, the figurative fly is back taunting me.
I pay for the meal and grab the box of leftovers calling my name for tomorrow’s lunch. As we park in front of the house, Kelsey is walking out of her front door with a dog on a leash. I glance in the rearview mirror and see Evie’s whole face light up.
“Can wepleasewalk Ms. Kelsey’s dog with her?” she pleads, giving me her best puppy eyes expression. “Winston is so cute.”
“Ms. Kelsey is home for the night, Eves. Just because we’re her neighbors doesn’t mean we—” Evie is out of the car, running toward her nanny before I can finish my sentence.
I unbuckle and grab the pizza box before chasing after her. When I reach them, Kelsey is kneeling, petting her dog while smiling kindly at my niece.
“I’d love for you to walk with us.” Kelsey glances up at me. “That is, if it’s all right with your uncle.”
“You can go as long as she’s sure she doesn’t mind.” I shoot Kelsey a meaningful look, trying to offer her an out.
She waves her hand like it’s not a big deal. “I’d love to have her join. Besides, it looks like Winston has a new best friend.”
“Okay, if you’re sure, then y’all have fun.” I’m heading to my house when Evie grabs my hand and pulls me to a stop.
“You have to come with us, Uncle Ty.”
“I don’t think—”
“Pleaseee.” She cuts me off with the cutest puppy dog eyes. “It’s getting dark. You wouldn’t let Ms. Kelsey and me walk alone in the dark, right?”
Winston looks at her and then up at me with the same expression. These two are going to be trouble together.
“How can I say no to those faces?” I raise the pizza box. “Let me put this in the fridge, and we can head out.” I jog to my house and hurry to unlock the front door, put the pizza away, and meet them back out front.
When I return, Kelsey is taking a picture of Evie and Winston, who both smile up at the camera. I’m a little freaked out by his facial expressions. Does Kelsey train all her dogs to smile? I don’t know if that’s even possible, but it’s either that or this dog has a major personality.
As we start walking down the street, I can’t remember the last time I took a walk for fun. It’s refreshing, and the changing of the leaves to a beautiful array of yellow, orange, and red colors makes for a pleasant view.
When the silence between me and Kelsey becomes too much, I clear my throat.
“So, is this one of the dogs you walk?”
She nods. “He was, but he’s my son now.”
I bite back a laugh at her calling him herson.
“Oh, so I should expect him to use my lawn as his personal restroom every day now?”
“Unless you’re ready to move your workout room to the other side of the house.” She smirks.
“We already know you like to stare at my muscles.” I flex. “So, I don’t see what the problem is here.”
“You’re the one who keeps bringing up your muscles.” Kelsey shoves my arm. “And I would suggest you stop saying things like that before you get punched in the face in front of your niece, like I promised.”
