“And until then. No dog.”
“A horse maybe?”
“Hmm, yes. Much more practical.” He turned his attention back to the television. “I love you, Lilybug. You’re gonna get through this.”
“Thank you.” Lily-Grace pulled out her phone and tried not to make it too obvious that she was trying to catch the fat tears that had just welled up in her eyes. Fucking Dane. There was another text from him.
Please call me.
He could have called her, but that wasn’t how he operated. She could have deleted the whole text thread and blocked his number, but she didn’t. She sent him a middle finger emoji, then she switched over to the conversation she’d been having with her friend Jenny Yang. She sent her the selfies she’d taken with Jesse’s dog while she was making him sweat in the driveway. Clementine really was a beautiful dog and so sweet. Lily-Grace should have stolen her for real. A few moments later, her phone vibrated in her hand with Jenny’s reply.
OhMGee! What is happening?
For a few fleeting moments,
I kidnapped Jesse Pleasant’s dog.
I love it.
Did you give her back?
He loves that dog.
Unfortunately yes.
I should have kept her though.
You have to tell me how you came into possession of this dog. Let’s get dinner tonight!
Immediately the Dane-shaped storm cloud cleared from her mind. “Dad, do you mind if I sup with Jenny this eve?”
“One of my favorite people. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
“You okay on your own for dinner?”
He turned and smiled at her. “I think I’ll manage.”
Okay, yeah. He’d been taking care of himself—the both of them—her whole life. It didn’t hurt to check though. “I’m thinking of your injured wing.”
“I’ll just pour that Pleasant label wine in a sippy cup.”
“Ha. Ha.”
Let’s do it.
Okay let’s meet at the Marriott.
We can get fucked up at the bar
And I can silently judge their menu.
The brand-spanking-new hotel had gone up on the edge of town, right near the new medical center. Charming still had that small town feel she’d loved as a kid, but a lot of things had changed in the years she’d been away. She still had to check out the SuperTarget on the way out to the airport.
I mean you have to check out the competition.
No doubt. Those fuckers.
7 sound good?
