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He started laughing.
“Sounds like a great place to work.”
It really was, I thought to myself. Despite some of my co-workers being alittle toopartyfor me, it was a great, positive atmosphere.
“I should get going. Still must make lunch and all that.”
Lightning clapped nearby, and we both jumped at the noise. It was time to make an escape at this new revelation about his old fiancé being back in town. I mumbled something and went to grab Dolly, who appeared frightened at the noise. She dropped the squeaky toy and was trembling. “It’s okay, let’s get home.”
Eli did the same with Carter, swooping him up from the pen and walking bow-legged out, watching where he stepped. Hesawmy shoe yesterday! Just then I heard asquish.
“Oh, dang it! You are rubbing off on me, Katie!” He laughed hysterically at the goo all over the bottom of his tennis shoe.
“Go get yourself some muck boots. I learned that fast yesterday!” We were both laughing as we walked to our cars, twin dogs in tow. “Hey, I forgot the squeaky toy.” He looked concerned as he stared down at Carter. “It’s his favorite. I better go back for it.”
“I’ll go with you. I need the exercise from mydesk job.”
He laughed in agreement, joking that he couldn’t imagine that. But then he looked serious. “It’s important to love what we do. And do what God calls us for.”
“I agree.” I felt the chatter coming easily now, flowing out of me carelessly. I was comfortable with him. Maybe it was after I slid into the friend zone, or at least put myself there when he confessed about his old flame contacting him. If I was honest with myself,I needed friends.The fellowship of fellow believers was important to me. I had Judy and my mother. That was the end of it. I might have gotten Jenna from work, but now I also had Eli. I had no problem with a platonic friendship for ourdogs' sake,as he pointed out yesterday, being the reason behind his asking. I had hoped very much for more, but this was enough because I was trusting God and his timing for my life. Love included.
Eli retrieved the squeaker and met me back at the edge of the path to the parking area. He squeezed it one last time for Carter, who he now held like a football. He showed him that he had it, then put it back in his pocket.
We spoke lightheartedly and waltzed to our cars. “I had fun today. We should meet up again sometime!” Eli said, speakingmainly to Dolly.
“Totally! It was fun. You haveournumber.” Putting Dolly back in the lead with that one, the focus comfortably shifted back to her. “See you around.”
He waved and got Carter loaded in his hatchback as I got Dolly situated for the short drive home. I left the parking lot first, with him behind me.Don’t drive like an idiot.I’m not sure why, but whenever someone Iknewwas behind me, I’d start slowing way too early, wait too long at a green, or accidentally drive over some wet paint, making a trail of breadcrumbs all the way back to my parking space.
CHAPTER 9
IT’S A SMALL WOOF AFTERALL
Leaving the first intersection, I couldn’t help but notice he made the same left turn as I did.Surely, he must live in the area.The next turn was two blocks later, and then a right, which he slowly followed.Not unusual, half the town lives in the suburbs.Then a quick left turn and I was in my apartment complex,and so was he.
All the years spent growing up with my mother led me straight to this moment. I nearly stopped, but decided I’d throw off the killer by making a wrong turn. I’d go thelong wayaround my complex. My right hand instinctively wrapped around my keychain weapon as I took another left when I should’ve gone right.
Four bright orange traffic cones and a flag were blocking the road not even three feet in front of me. The woman that worked in the front office, Janine, had been standing outside talking to a construction worker as another man held a jackhammer, staring blankly at me. Janine saw me and put her finger up to the man as she ran over to my window.
“Katie, is everything alright? We have this blocked off for now due to the road damage here. Can you go the other way?”
I nodded. “Yes, I’m fine, I was just uh—” Then it hit me—the perfect excuse. “I wanted to come see you to add Dolly to my lease.” I pointed to the back seat of the pet carrier.
Janine smiled. “Oh, of course! Why don’t you call and remind me in, say, an hour? I’ll find the paperwork and get it ready for you.”
“That’s great. Thank you, Janine.” I started to back up, checking my rearview mirror. No one is behind me. I turned onto my lane, where three buildings weremade in the shape of a U and another three sat to the left. I lived in the third one on the right. I pulled into my spot, quickly grabbing Dolly, ready to run for my door. I didn’t see him out here, but I did see a few of the neighbor ladies who were retired and always,dependably,people-watching.
I was halfway to the stairs leading up to my apartment when I heard a familiar laugh. “Don’t tell me you'refollowing me?”
It was Eli, standing a few cars down from my own parking spot. I gave him a quizzical look. “YOU livehere?”I was shocked, but it came off like these apartments weretoo goodfor him. I glanced back at the neighbor ladies, who, at some point, pulled out a bag of chips and were watching us like it was the series finale ofDays of our Lives.
Eli nodded, looking around. “Last time I checked, yeah. I’m over there in 301.” I felt prompted to say my unit when he motioned to his apartment, but I held back. “What are the chances?” He looked at me, stunned.
“There’s what, a hundred thousand people in our area? About 500 apartment complexes. A few dog parks per county and countless dogs. I’d say it's weird.” He looked shocked at my hammering out of numbers, but we did just have a little too much in common for never having seen each other before.
He stood there for a minute longer and my tenuous grip on everything in my arms failed. I started dropping a few things, and when I went to catch them, I’d spilled the entire contents of my purse on the ground. I’d grabbed Dolly at high speed along with my keys, bag, and water bottle so we could hightail it inside without the serial killer spotting us, but now he was galloping over to us, Carter on the leash trailing behind him. He grabbed my keys and handed them to me, as I stuffed them in my purse, along with the contents of everything that had spilled.
My lipstick, sunscreen and cell phone were on the ground along with a wide array— to my horror—offeminine products of all shapes and sizes.Why did I have so many? Was I planning on stocking a bathroom vending machine? I tried to grab the fistfuls of those first, cramming them in my purse before he saw, but I could tell by his expression he was suppressing laughter.
