Powder Puff pants happily and preens at the attention. She’s clearly decided Rafe is a long-lost friend.
Of course. She wouldn’t do anything I’d want her to do, like growl and show him her teeth.
“What are you doing up so early on a Sunday?” I ask, genuinely curious. He usually doesn’t emerge until noon on Sundays.
“Going to breakfast and church with my parents.” His eyes run up and down my body, and I suddenly wish I put on something cuter than the leggings and sweatshirt I’m wearing. “You wanna come?”
I blink at him. Uncomprehending. “What?”
“What, what?”
He’s got to be teasing me. His expression is amused. “Why would I come to breakfast with your parents?”
“Why not? We’re going to Lucio’s. You love those waffles.”
Naturally, he’d remember my favorite foods—merely to be obnoxiously smug. “Everyone loves Lucio’s waffles, but eating breakfast with you is not on my agenda for the morning.”
“Too bad.” He doesn’t look the slightest bit disappointed. He clearly didn’t expect me to accept his teasing offer. Just like those movies back in college. He’d ask me, knowing I would never say yes, and then he’d go with one of my friends instead. “You want me to grab your coffee since you’re trapped outside by that overgrown cotton ball?”
“Uh, sure.” I’m so surprised I respond without thinking. Reaching into my bag, I say, “Let me give you some money. I get—”
“I know what you get.” The words come out as a grumble, like he’s suddenly bad-tempered as he reaches for the door.
I’m frowning while I wait, watching him through the glass storefront as he goes to the counter, stands behind the one person in line until they get served, and then puts in his order.
He’s coming out in three or four minutes, carrying two large coffees.
He hands me one, and I take a sip. It’s exactly right. French roast with just a hint of cream. It’s delicious.
For no good reason, I want to roll my eyes. Instead, I try to hand him a five-dollar bill I managed to retrieve from my wallet, but he waves it away with a scowl.
“I should pay for my own coffee.” I’m actually blushing, and I have no idea why.
“You can let me do something for you occasionally.” He still sounds rather grumpy, but then he shakes off whatever is motivating it with a shrug. He gives me his normal smug half smile and adds, “You can buy my coffee next time.”
“What next time?”
“There will be a next time.” Powder Puff is rubbing against his pant legs, so he leans down to pet her some more. “With us, there always is.”
“That’s for sure,” I reply mournfully.
Then I realize I’m lingering. I’ve got my coffee. Powder Puff needs a walk. And I’m still standing here as if I want to keep chatting with Rafe.
What the hell is wrong with me this morning?
“Okay. Have a good breakfast. And try to pay attention to the sermon at church since it might help curb some of your depravity. Thanks for the coffee.” I wave and turn around to walk back toward the park.
He falls into step with me.
“What are you doing?” I look up at him, wondering why his brown hair is suddenly bronze in the winter sunlight.
“I’m walking.”
“Why are you walking with me?”
“Who said I was walking with you?”
I gape at him. “Well, I’m walking in this direction, and you’re walking right beside me.”
“I’m walking in this direction too. It happens to be the same way you’re going.” His eyes are glinting in that way they’ve always done when he’s saying things he knows will annoy me.
“Okay.” I feel like I should be able to summon up some sort of clever retort, but nothing comes to me. “I’m walking Powder Puff to the park.”
He almost chokes on a sip of his coffee. “Is that dog really named Powder Puff?”
“Yes. That’s her name. It suits her perfectly, so you shouldn’t mock.”
“I asked a simple question. It was hardly mockery.”
“Your tone and expression were mocking. Don’t try to deny it. I know you way too well for you to pretend you weren’t mocking.”
“Okay.”
I shoot a glance up at him. His expression is mild. Deceptively innocent. “What’s going on?”
“With what?”
“With you? Why do you look like that?”
“How do I look?” His eyes are far too wide, far too bland and harmless.
I scowl at him. “You know exactly how you look. Why are you always so obnoxious with me?”
“This is my normal personality. Maybe I’m naturally obnoxious.”
“No, you’re not.” I say the words before I realize how they’ll sound. Then I want to hit myself because he looks so pleased and victorious. “All I mean is that you don’t act so obnoxious with other people. A lot of people mistakenly come away believing you’re a nice guy. Why do I always get the brunt of your obnoxiousness?”
“You’re just lucky I guess.” We’ve reached our apartment building, and he pauses. I realize he needs to drive to Lucio’s, so he’s probably heading for the parking lot behind the building to get his car.
“Lucky is not how I’d describe myself when it comes to you.”
“Then how would you describe yourself when it comes to me?” His face is different now. I can’t even describe what’s changed. His expression is still amused and sardonic, but it’s softer somehow. Warmer.
It makes my breath hitch. My cheeks burn. I have to fight not to sway toward him. “Cursed.”
He lets out a huff of soft laughter.
“Doomed,” I add.
He doesn’t seem to move at all, but it feels like he’s closer than he was. Way too close. His head is tilting down toward mine. “There might be something to that,” he murmurs.
I have no idea what he means by that. I have no idea what’s happening here. I’m usually a quick thinker and a reasonably smart person, but it all flies out the window when it comes to Rafe.
I’m trapped. Trapped by the way he’s looking at me.
Like I’ll never get away from him.
And maybe I don’t even want to.
Powder Puff gives the lead a sharp tug that surprises me into glancing over. She’s glaring at me over her shoulder, the rest of her body pointed toward the park. She gives me an indignant yap, chiding me for my slowness.
She saves me. “I guess she’s ready to get to the park.” I giggle with an overflow of nerves and feeling. “Thanks again for the coffee.”
He grunts out some sort of wordless reply and doesn’t say anything else, so I can finally get away to the safety of the park.
I’m not sure what just happened, but it’s not going to happen again.
After a while, I manage to mentally brush aside the encounter with Rafe so I can enjoy a relaxing Sunday, having lunch with Joey and hanging out with Powder Puff.
She might be spoiled and demanding, but she’s also good company. I like having her around. If I weren’t gone such long hours during the day for work, I might think about getting a dog myself.