Mr. 365 (26 page)

That afternoon I scan the blog of our newest client, Bonnie Miller. The blog’s title,
The Easter Bonnie
makes me cringe a bit. Between her Easter collection and festivities, blog, Facebook page, Pinterest and Instagram, this woman’s self-promotion of her Easter obsession is staggering and reminds me how different this experience will be compared to my experience with Will. I’m on the About Me page when my phone lights up and I see it’s Will calling.

“Hey, how’s Romeo?” I ask, trying to tone down the excitement in my voice.

“He’s good. Not a lot of energy, but he’s worlds better than last week.”

“Oh, I’m glad to hear that. Thanks for calling to let me know.”

“Yeah, I had another reason to call. I wanted to ask you a really big favor.”

“Sure. What is it?” I ask.

“I was wondering if you could babysit Romeo for a couple of hours after work tonight. I’m sorry it’s such short notice.”

“You mean dog sit?” I ask, laughing.

“Honestly it’s like taking care of a baby,” Will says, sounding sad. “I asked Jeremy, but he has plans, and you two are the people little man is most comfortable with.”

“Aw, he likes me.”

“He really does. Even though I took the week off work, they called earlier because they are having some big problems getting scenic finished for one of their other shows. They asked if I could be another hand tonight. And Romeo’s not ready to be left alone yet.”

“Of course I’ll babysit. What time do you need me there?”

“Six-fifteen. You sure you don’t mind? You don’t have plans?” he asks, sounding relieved.

“No plans and I’m excited to see him.”
And you
.

When I pull up to the house, I grab the little stuffed bunny I bought for Romeo, my purse, and takeout dinner.

“Is that a chew toy for Romeo?” Will asks with a grin after he opens the door.

“No, it’s a stuffed animal,” I say, smiling as I hold it up. “Isn’t it cute? My dog Buster had one when I was growing up.”

Will laughs. “What’s he supposed to do with a stuffed animal?”

“I don’t know. Whatever anyone does with a stuffed animal. Maybe he’ll want to sleep with it. Buster did.”

“Well, if your scent’s all over it, he probably will. That was sweet of you. Thanks.”

I step inside and he gives me a hug. When he releases me, I step back timidly, aware that things are still awkward between us.

“Where’s Romeo?”

“The family room. He’s asleep, but he’ll probably wake up when he hears us talking.” Will leads me down the hall and opens the door.

From the look of things, they’ve been living in this room. Romeo’s bed and water dish are next to the couch, medicine bottles are lined up on the coffee table, and bedding is folded and piled next to the couch.

“What’s that for?” I ask.

“I’m sleeping down here so I’m near him. Now that he can walk around, I’m worried he’ll take on the stairs.”

I squeeze his arm gently. “Such a good daddy.”

Will smiles and leads me to Romeo’s dog bed. I peer inside and am happy that Romeo’s doing pretty good. They shaved his fur where they did the surgery, but the stitches are healing well.

“He looks better than I’d hoped,” I say softly to Will.

Romeo’s eyes pop open, and he stares wide-eyed. His tail starts thumping along the side of the dog bed.

“Look who’s here, little man. Your very favorite girl,” Will says.

I lean down and rub the top of his head. “I’m your date tonight.”

“And she brought you a present!”

I hold the bunny up to Romeo, and he sniffs it but doesn’t act interested.

Will takes the bunny from me and holds it to my chest. “Here, give it a hug and rub it all over your chest and neck to give it your scent.”

After Paul’s little speech earlier, I changed into a low-cut, fitted blouse. As Will watches me with the bunny I catch him staring at my cleavage.

When I set the bunny back in Romeo’s bed, he sniffs it, then scoots over and rests his muzzle against the soft part of the bunny’s midsection.

“Aw,” I coo.

“That’s my guy,” Will says, grinning.

Will quickly explains what I need to do while he’s gone. He reminds me not to share any of my dinner with Romeo and then gives me the TV remote in case we want to watch Netflix.

“He likes romance movies,” Will says rolling his eyes.

“Just another reason to adore you,” I say to Romeo, patting his head.

After Will leaves, Romeo eyes me intently while I eat my dinner, eventually stepping out of his dog bed and sitting at my feet. His big brown eyes are distracting.

“Daddy said no burrito, my friend.”

Romeo keeps staring at me so I decide to turn on a movie. I scan through Netflix’s current romance selection. “Hey, what do you say we try to find a romance with dogs in it?”

Halfway through the selection I find what I want. “Look Romeo! It’s a movie called,
Must Love Dog
s! It’s perfect.” I click on the selection and lean back on the couch. He steps closer as if he wants to sit up here with me.

“Hold on, little guy.” Mindful of his incision site I carefully lift him up to the couch. He scratches a spot on the cushion right next to me and settles in.

I stir at the sound of a door opening and closing.

“I’m home,” Will calls out.

I blink. I must’ve fallen asleep. I’m stretched out with my legs on the ottoman next to the coffee table and Romeo on my lap. I think about sitting up, but I’m so tired I can’t be bothered. My eyes fall to half-mast.

As Will steps into the room, he grins. He looks at Romeo, looks at me, then nods to his dog and shakes his head laughing. Meanwhile Romeo is wide-awake and completely enthralled with something on the television. I rub Romeo’s back lovingly, and he wags his tail as Will gets closer.

“Lucky dog,” Will says, smiling.

Will gently settles onto the couch next to us. “So whatcha watching, dude?” He turns to study the screen and laughs softly. A minute later the credits run, and Will leans back on the couch and studies me.

“You’re home,” I say with a sleepy yawn.

“Just got here. It took less time than I thought it would.”

I yawn again, covering my mouth with my free hand. “Oh, that’s good.”

“Aww, you’re tired,” he says, nudging me.

“Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping well at all. I’m so sorry I fell asleep, but he really seemed fine, and we got cozy together.”

“He’s never looked happier, and you found the perfect cheesy movie for him.”

“Awesome, don’t you think? There were times we were watching that I actually thought he was smiling. Crazy, right?”

Will shrugs. “He probably was.”

“So, it went okay at work?”

“Yeah, it was fine. Thanks a lot for doing this. I felt so much better knowing he was with you.”

A huge smile spreads across my face. “I was happy to do it.”

I sit up a little taller and put my feet on the floor. Glancing down, I notice that my neckline has plunged dangerously low, and I blush as I adjust my top.

Will doesn’t say anything as he scratches Romeo behind the ears. “Dude, how did you score getting to cuddle on her lap? You’re one lucky little man.”

I laugh. “He was just nice to me, that’s all. If you’re nice, I’ll let you sit on my lap too.”

“Yeah? I’m pretty sure I’d crush you,” he says, his eyebrow arched.

“I’m willing to give it a try,” I say playfully.

“I’d rather have
you
sit on my lap.”

My heart thumps in my chest. “Can I?” Just the idea of being that close to him again is irresistible.

He looks unsure about it too, but he gently lifts up Romeo and settles him into his bed right next to his bunny.

He then sits back on the couch and holds his arms out, welcoming me. “Come on,” he says quietly.

I get up, gently ease myself onto Will’s lap and circle my arms around his neck. He takes a deep breath and sighs.

“Is this too much?”

“Too much?” he asks weakly.

“Am I too heavy for you?”

“The real question is can I handle being this close to you?” he asks himself out loud as he gazes into my eyes. “I’m not sure I can.”

I lean in close, taking in every detail—his strong jaw line, his beautiful soulful eyes, and the thundering of his heart under my hand as it’s pressed over his chest.

“I’m not sure I can either. I miss you so much,” I whisper.

He closes his eyes shut and lets his head fall back on the sofa. “Why am I such a mess?”

“Maybe you miss me too,” I say, my voice raw and vulnerable.

“Yes, I miss you. I can’t stop thinking about you, Sophia.” He groans, pulling me closer.

I soak in his warmth but I’m torn. I can feel how much he wants me, but he also said he’s not ready. He may never be ready for me again. Am I strong enough to pull away and give him the time he needs? Can I follow through with what I should to do?

“I’m going to go. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not ready for.”

He digs his fingers into the arm of the couch. “That may be a good idea. I’m still angry and mixed up about the shit that happened last week. I’m not blaming you, I’m just questioning some of the decisions I’ve made. I haven’t been this angry in a long time.”

“I’m sorry,” I say softly, my heart aching. “Why don’t I go. You’re leaving tomorrow to see your friends and clear your head. Why don’t we talk when you get back?”

He nods and hugs me one last time before letting me up.

We’re silent as I pet Romeo good-bye and walk to the front door.

“Thanks, again, for everything,” he says as he pulls the door open.

I smile. “I care about you guys. Both of you.” I look down at my feet and then out the open door, unsure what it will be like the next time we are together. It occurs to me that he’s calmer, and it’s my chance to say the words that have been tied up inside of me since that morning at the police station.

“Will, for whatever part you hold me responsible for that night and for all the ways you may never forgive me, just know one thing and believe it’s true. You’re a wonderful man. Don’t let who you were in the past stop you from who you are meant to be. Because even if you decide not to be with me…you, Will—the Will I fell in love with, the guy who makes magic for kids and takes interest in homeless people…that’s the Will I’m going to hold in my heart the rest of my life.”

He leans back, his mouth hanging open at my heartfelt plea. I can see the anguish in his eyes.

I clear my throat and hold up my hand to indicate that I’m not quite done.

“So, please be
that guy
, be
that Will
. He’s amazing.”

When I finish I’m not sure how to wrap things up. I twist my hands nervously.

“Okay then,” I say, quickly moving away before he seems to realize I’m really leaving. By the time I get to my car, I’m swallowed up by the darkness.

As I drive off, he stands under the light in his driveway and takes several steps toward me as if he wants to run after my car. As tempted as I am to turn around and go back to him, I keep moving forward.

P
aul stands in Lindsey’s cube, wasting time and debating whether to go back to work or not.