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Tobias has brought such joy to my life in the short time I’ve gotten to know him. Seeing kids’ toys around the old home is… nice. The woman who lived here before was a grouchy old lady, always complaining about my loud work.
But now, I have a reason to smile every time I pass this house. Getting back in the truck, I head up to my home and park in front of the garage.
Dagda jumps out the window and runs up to the house, ready for bedtime. He’s a dog who likes routine, and I’m a man who likes the same.
We head inside and make a small dinner before getting ready to sleep. Dagda circles his dog bed in the corner of my bedroom as I walk around, changing and turning lights off.
Once settled, he huffs and flops his head down. I pull the covers down on my bed and flip the tv on, laying down and turning some car show on.
I lean back and get lost in the show. Soon, my eyes feel heavy and I turn the tv off, rolling over to sleep.
But my mind is racing with too many feelings and thoughts. From Emily to Tobias to Juniper. Stopping on Juniper, I think back to that douchebag in the driveway.
Mike… what a stupid name. I know him from the local bar. He’s this gym bro who thinks he’s hot shit.
I shake my head and roll to my other side. Juniper is a grown woman. She can make her own decisions. And to top it off, she is not mine.
But what if I want to make her mine…
“What do you think, Em?”
I know she can’t hear me. She’s dead for fuck’s sake, but she is… wellwas, the only family I had left. My baby sister was my everything.
“She’s so… happy. All the damn time. Always has a smile on her, just like you. And she loves sunflowers like you used to. Is this a sign? Are you pulling some strings up there, Emily?”
Dagda looks up at me, snorting, before laying his head back down.
Probably think I’m crazy talking to myself like this. If it’s not Dagda I’m talking to, it’s Emily. I know she’s dead, but talking out loud to her makes me feel better.
I sigh, looking up at the dark ceiling. “I think… I think I have a crush on Juniper, Em. And she’s gonna go on a date with that douchebag, Mike. What the fuck do I do?”
Greeted by silence, I know the answer; nothing. Don’t make a move on the single mom unless I’m ready to take that leap.
Am I ready for something like that? I haven’t had a serious relationship in a long time. But I can’t do anything unless I’m willing to take on Tobias as well, which I totally am. I would never do that to the two of them.
Nodding my head, I know what to do now. Tomorrow night I’ll go over there and make my move. Ask Juniper on a nice date and finally take a chance.
Chapter five
La Vie En Fleurs
Juniper
Ipacemykitchen,all dressed up as I wait for the babysitter to get here. Tonight I was going on a date with Mike. I still wasn’t sure, but figured getting out of the house would be good for me.
But as I paced around, I got doubts. I look over to my vase of sunflowers and smile. Tobias has been bringing me them every day, but refuses to tell me where he’s getting them from.
I sit down just as my phone rings. “Hello?”
“Hi. This is Julie, the babysitter. I have to cancel tonight. I’m very sorry.”
“Ah, okay.” Slouching down, I hang my head in my hands. “Just my luck.”
There’s a knock on my door, and I sigh, getting up as I walk over. When I open it, the last person I want to see right now is standing on my steps; Cody.
“Can I help you?”
He hands me a soccer ball. “Your kid’s ball was in my yard.”
