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I didn’t need to ring the doorbell because Beans was already in the window and let out a howl that got Bagel going, too. The sweet and frazzled woman that ran the dayhome appeared at the door, struggling to get Beans’s harness on him.
“Hey, Ms. Winslow.” I waved. “Can I help?”
“Please. Beans is so much better for you.” She stepped aside, redoing her blonde ponytail while I got Beans outfitted.
I waved to all the kiddos and set off at a run in the direction of the dog park, both of the beagles racing along like their butts were on fire. Who needed the gym for cardio when you had the energy of a supernova packed into a twenty-pound body to contend with?
They weren’t even starting to flag by the time we got to the dog park, so I let them off leash and watched them take off in a wild game of chase before they decided I had to participate and throw a tennis ball until my arm was ready to fall off.
“You guys, the spirit is willing, but the body is tired as fuck.” The combined doggy head tilt made my heart explode. “Okay, one more, but then we have to head home so your moms don’t wonder if I’ve kidnapped you.”
I hurled the ball, watching them run. I might not have been entirely content with my life, but I was trying to make the best of it by putting a little extra good out into the universe. The dogs returned with the ball, looking at me with begging eyes.
“Nuh-uh. I said one more and that was one more. You’re going to be a toasted Bagel and baked Beans if I let you stay out in the sun much longer.”
Ms. Winslow was out in the yard with the kiddos when we arrived back, and they descended on the dogs with excited squeals, the dogs lapping up the attention.
“You’re an angel,” she said. “Thank you for taking him.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve got to get Bagel back to his mom. Hope the rest of your day goes well!”
Bagel was so deep in the love that I had to carry him home like a baby. “Little love sponge. Hope you’ve still got some of that left for your mom when we get there.”
I set Bagel on the ground and he hopped excitedly over to his mama, scaling the porch swing to climb into her lap to shower her with kisses. I let the two of them be, and set off on my next task, checking the mail and watering the plants for a couple down the street that were visiting family out of town this month.
I was the neighborhood go-to for a lot of things, but I liked feeling needed like that. The bit of extra cash didn’t hurt either. I never charged anyone, but every so often someone shoved an envelope of cash on me as a thank you for whatever chore I’d been performing for them.
Normally, my next task after that would be mowing lawns for a few of the more elderly residents of our neighborhood, but since I was meeting Luna at noon, that would have to wait. With enough time to spare to hop in the shower before lunch, I scrubbed down, toweled off, and stood in front of my closet, trying to choose something appropriate.
Luna was classy and beautiful, and I wanted to reflect that. The Greek place wasn’t fancy, but I still chose my outfit with care. It was pretty hot outside, so I opted for some dark-wash denim shorts and a blue polo before driving down to her office with butterflies in my stomach.
I texted her that I had arrived, and a moment later, she burst out the front doors, looking so wonderfully perfect with her golden blonde curls hanging around her face, a ruffly white short-sleeved blouse, and a blue floral skirt that fell to her knees with strappy white shoes on her feet where bold red nails flashed with every step.
I hopped out of the car and opened up the passenger door for her.
“Hey, cutie.” Luna grinned and bounced up on her toes to kiss my cheek before sliding into the passenger seat.
“Hey there.” Heat rushed through me at the contact of her lips on my skin. “You seem like you’re in a good mood.”
“Should I not be? A cute boy’s taking me to lunch.”
Her smile was too beautiful.
The drive to the restaurant was short and we managed to squeak into the last available parking space. Luna patiently waited while I practically sprinted to the other side of the vehicle to open her door for her.
“So polite.” She giggled, patting my cheek. “Someone’s mama raised him right.”
I’d open a thousand doors if it meant she would smile at me like that again.
She hooked her arm through mine as we walked up to the door, and I opened that one for her too. Luna charmed the hostess and we were seated a moment later at a tiny two-person table next to a gorgeous mural of Santorini.
“I’m totally going to get the moussaka,” she declared. “And some baklava to take back for my afternoon snack.”
I scanned the menu that the hostess had given us. Our server popped up and I ordered the lamb souvlaki with a glass of sweet tea.
When we were left alone again, Luna watched me with her enigmatic blue eyes. “So, what prompted today?”
“Mostly it felt weird to not talk to you after the wedding. I thought about calling every day since, but I didn’t know if you would like that.”
