"Like what?" I asked.
“I'll give you a list.” She pointed at a small table, and we walked over there. The puppy was trailing us. She picked up a file from the shelf and made crosses with a red pen where there was a blank space. “Fill in name, address, and sign here, and I'll see about that list.”
While I filled the blanks, she took another sheet of paper from the shelf, handing it to me.
“Okay, so here is the list,” she said.
I stood up, pocketing the sheet of paper. Mel took a small plastic crate from the shelf, putting the dog inside. She also put a bag of dog food on the table.
“You’re all set,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “I’m so happy you’re taking him.”
“Isabelle will be happy too. I know she’s wanted a dog ever since she left home. Do you need to do anything else here?”
“No, I’m done. I’ll lock up, and we can go.”
“I’ll carry the dog and the supplies to the car and wait for you there.”
“Perfect.”
I carried the crate in one hand and the food in the other. On my way out of the house, I heard her voice echo.
“Hey, Charlotte, we have a new adoption! He’s going to have an amazing home.”
Damn, this woman was too sweet and too good for me. But that didn’t stop me from wanting her.
She came out of the house soon after I secured the carrier on the back seat. She’d pulled her hair back up in a ponytail as she had it at the gym. Fucking hell, her neck was going to be my downfall. I wanted to taste her there—everywhere. The dress was tight enough to show off her curves, and even though she had more skin on display at the gym, she was far more tempting now. I couldn’t stop imagining my hands roaming her body, peeling off her dress.
I snapped my gaze up to her. She cocked a brow. I opened the car door for her, but she didn’t move.
“Wait, you’re driving?” she asked.
“Yeah. Jeffrey only drives me during the day. Otherwise, I’d waste too much time in between meetings with parking.”
“I can take the subway,” she said, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.
“Why? Are you afraid of being alone with me?” I teased as she came over to the car.
“Nope, I’m afraid of myself,” she said with sass, climbing in the passenger seat. “But I didn’t have any wine, so I’m hoping for the best.”
“I’m hoping for the opposite,” I said before closing the door, enjoying the way her mouth formed a perfect, delicious O.
I went over to the driver side and, once I was inside, asked, “What’s your address?”
“Oh, drop me off at the train station. I’m going to see my dad.”
“I can drive you there.”
“No, it’s outside the city. Trust me, you don’t want to brace the traffic at this time of day. The train is faster.”
I nodded. “Okay, the train station it is.”
“Thank you.”
“You said your dad is housebound,” I said as I drove away. “Does he have a caregiver, or is it just him and your mom?”
She smiled sadly. “My mom left when I was a year old. It’s always been just my dad and me.”
Fucking hell! She seemed to shrink into herself as she spoke. I couldn’t even imagine it since I’d grown up with three siblings and parents who were devoted to each other. My protective instincts were on high alert again.
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged, playing with a strand of hair. “It is what it is. Dad is awesome. The best parent I could wish for. We lived in Harrisburg. I came here to study at NYU, and he moved to New York when I was in my second year.”
“What did you study?”
“I majored in sports management, but I didn’t find a job. I worked as a receptionist in a dental office for a few years, but after Dad got sick, I needed something with a more flexible schedule. I’ve always been a fitness enthusiast. One thing led to another, and honestly, I love this way more than dental stuff. The pay is great, and I don’t work fixed hours. I can check on my dad often. I’m happy he’s nearby, especially with his condition.”
“Why is he housebound?”
“He had a stroke a few years ago. He recovered well, but he still can’t move his right leg. He does get out of the house, but not as much as before. His life’s changed a lot, but he’s handling it well. I’m trying to get him this new medicine, but it’s so hard to find.”
She mentioned the name, and I committed it to memory.
“Anyway, tonight I’m doing all his shopping and seeing if he needs anything else. I try to stop by a few times a week.”
“You’re amazing. You know that?”
She chuckled, but I realized it was humorless.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. Not everyone sees things as you do,” she muttered.
“What do you mean?”
“My ex dumped me because he figured I wasn’t giving him enough attention, that I was spending too much time with Dad, and too much of my paycheck went to his medical needs.”
I saw red. Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I said, “Then it’s a good thing he’s an ex.”
She turned to look at me, a smile inching on her face. “That’s right. Oh, we’re here already.” The smile turned into a grin as I pulled the car right in front of the train station’s entrance.
“Hey, don’t get out on my behalf,” she said as I reached for the handle. “You can’t park here.”
“I know.”
“Thanks for dropping me off. And I didn’t say even one inappropriate thing. I’m so proud of myself.”
She turned to look in the back, and I did the same. The dog must have fallen asleep a while ago because he’d been silent.
Getting out of the car, I went over to open the door for her. I was close enough that when she got out, I could smell her perfume, a mix of flowers and spices. I couldn’t name a single one of them, but the result was delicious.
“Mel?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you going to have a glass of wine tonight?”
“Probably. Why?”
“Keep your phone nearby.”
“Why would I do that? It proved to be a dangerous combo last time. You have an interesting effect on me.”
“Do I? You convinced me to take home a dog. I haven’t talked you into anything outrageous. Yet.”
“I like that ‘yet.’ So confident.”
“Text me when you get home,” I said.
She threw her head back, laughing hard as she turned around, heading to the station. But I didn’t miss her blush.
Chapter Seven
Mel
I arrived home very late that evening. I spent a few hours with Dad, watching America’s Got Talent and hearing about the newest gossip in his online book club. I had mad respect for my daddy. He’d practically had to start from zero after his stroke. He was the strongest person I knew.
I’d eaten steamed vegetables and fish with him, but by the time I got home, I was still a bit hungry. I always had cheese in the fridge—and, of course, wine. I blushed, remembering Dylan’s request to keep my phone nearby. The man was cocky, but I liked it. I ate two slices of cheese, then went outside onto my balcony with a wineglass and my AirPods. I had a date with a steamy audiobook. This was the same dangerous combination that had led to sending Dylan a flirty text last time.