Page 2 of Puppy Love
As soon as Cecilia walked into the kitchen, my heart skipped a beat. She’s not the scrawny teenager that I once knew. She wasa woman— a very beautiful woman, at that. I first noticed how much she changed when I ran into her at the grocery store a couple of years ago. I couldn’t believe my eyes, how much she had changed and grown up. Since then, I couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was wrong. I thought maybe it was because I’ve been single for so long that I was attracted to her, but as I continued to run into her in this small town, my attraction to her never went away. I did my best to avoid running into her. I didn’t want to do something stupid that I’d regret, especially when her dad’s my best friend. I’ve known her since she was born, and she thought of me as heruncle.
I didn’t realize that she was stopping by to see Michael when I agreed to come over his house. I would’ve suggested to meet somewhere else. I had to act like her presence didn’t affect me and treat her like I always had when we were all together. I didn’t want her dad to get any hint that I was attracted to his little girl.
When I hugged her, I swear I felt a jolt of energy, something I’ve never felt with any other woman. She smelled so sweet, and fit in my embrace perfectly.Cecilia’s practically your niece. Pull away, Leo!I had to pull away before I got a hard-on in front of her dad. I shouldn’t even be feeling this way about her, or thinking of her in any other way than who she was to me. She’s my best friend’s little girl.
“So, what’s new, Michael?” I asked.
“Nothing much. Just working a lot and trying to expand my business in other states.”
I’ve always admired the drive and motivation Michael has had since we were kids. Starting up a tech company in a small town like Silver Lake Falls was risky. The type of business he has should be in Silicon Valley.
“The Fire Pup Charity Event is in three weeks. It’ll be held at The Magnolia Hotel in the city. Do you think you can make it?” I asked, lifting my beer bottle to my lips and taking a sip.
“Sorry, man. I don’t think I could make it. I’m going out of town on business that same week,” Michael said.
“All good, no worries,” I told him, looking down at my hands holding my beer bottle.
“Are you planning to bring a date to your event? I don’t think you should go alone.” Michael got up and went to the fridge.
I tipped my head up and met Cecilia’s gaze, then she quickly looked away, her cheeks turning a dark pink.Was she waiting to hear my answer about bringing a date?
“I haven’t had time to date,” I explained, then downed the rest of my drink.
“It’s about time you start dating, brother. It’s been three years since you got divorced,” Michael said, sitting back down and handing me another beer.
“Thanks,” I muttered as I took the cold bottle from his hand.
Since my ex-wife left me three months after we got married for another man, I avoided wanting to date and be in another relationship since. Kristin and I were together for two years, got married, then found out that she cheated on me before we divorced. I don’t want to find someone and get attached, to only end in heartbreak again. So, I kept myself busy with work to distract myself from even thinking about it, especially since the only woman I thought about was Cecilia. I was a man with needs, but I never hooked up with random women. I just watched porn and jerked off to relieve any sexual tension I had building inside me. I tried not to think of Cecilia being the one to relieve my needs, but sometimes, I couldn’t help it.
Cecilia and I were close when she was younger. I was the one who’d babysit when her parents had date nights or worked late. When her mom died, I was there to help both Cecilia and Michael with whatever I could as they grieved. They were my family.
“I’ll date when I’m ready.” I gave a lopsided grin, glancing at Cecilia. She was the one I wanted to date.
“Well, if you don’t want to go out there to date, then why don’t you try to get a date using the Holidates app? One of my employees raved about it when he found a date for Christmas, and in exchange, his date needed a holidate for New Year’s,” Michael explained.
I shrugged. “Sure, I’ll check it out.”
Maybe I should go out and finally start dating to get over this attraction I had toward Cecilia. She had no business knowing how I felt about her. She would see me as an old pervert that looked at hisnieceinappropriately.
I pulled out my phone and downloaded the app in front of my best friend and set up my account.
Leo C., 45
Silver Lake Falls, OR
Fire Chief
Likes working out, hiking, going camping, hanging out with my dog
Looking for a holidate for National Fire Pup Day Charity Event
“Done. Happy now?” I chuckled.
“I’ll be happy to know that you found a date.” Michael chuckled.
The savory aroma of our dinner filled the air as Cecilia finished cooking and plated our meal. She placed the plate in front of Michael and I, then took a seat next to me, pouring a glass of wine for herself. I was hyperaware of her presence next to me, getting a whiff of her sweet vanilla scent as she moved around me.
To redirect the conversation away from me, I turned my head toward Cecilia. “So, how’s work, Cece?”
