Page 23 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

They both laugh.

“Mabel has terrible manners.” Nathan excuses, “Totally my fault.”

“Honestly, Harri too.” Mark can’t pull his eyes away. “She’s spoiled and I’m shit at her training.” He chuckles at himself. “She’s only a year old. We tried puppy classes, but they kicked her out for being too excitable.” He rolls his eyes and flashes air quotes, folding indexes and middle fingers.

“Mabes is old and should know better.” Nathan nods in her direction.

Both pups are lying in the sand, soaked and filthy. Staring at each other with big goofy smiles and wagging tongues panting to catch their breath.

“I’ve never seen her play with another dog like this.” Nathan catches Mark staring, before his eyes dart away toward the pups. Smirk.

“Really?” Mark’s eyes are glossy pools of caramel in the sun. A slight overbite pushes his upper lip forward. He nibbles the edge of his lower, flexing a square jaw. The artery in his neck pulses, picking up speed it seems. “We live just up over the cliff, across the street from where the path crosses Ocean Ave.”

Is he hinting? Behave.

Nathan drinks in a quick up and down of Mark’s body while his head is turned away. A quilted purple jacket hugs his broad torso. Flat chest falling into a slight belly. Khaki chinos cling to two round asscheeks and an impressive front package. He licks his parched lips. Eyes rushing to meet Mark’s as he turns back and smiles with a raised brow.

Behave!

Nathan suppressed the urge to accept the less than subtle invitation. Just looking for friends? Right.

Mark wags his brow for a moment, but Nathan isn’t taking the bait. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before?”

“We’re new to town. Just arrived a few weeks ago. I came for work. Mabel didn’t have a choice.” He tries to be cute and funny.

“Ahh. Great. What do you think of Portland?”

“We love it.” He fumbled the keys in his pocket. “I’m a travel nurse. We just came from the west coast actually. It’s our first time in New England.”

“Welcome to the northeast!”

“Thanks.”

“I came back a few years ago. Born here but spent some time in Dallas. The ex-boyfriend dragged us there for work.” He seemed to be signaling for an answer his mind was pondering.

“Sorry you split up.” He’s not.

Mabel waddles back to Nathan’s side and plops her butt in the sand. He bends over and pats her head.

Harriet jumps up on Mark's hip, licking his palm as he reaches to pet the side of her face.

“It seems the new besties are ready to go?” Nathan looks down at Mabel’s sleepy eyes.

She “berfs,” up at him.

“Will you guys be back here tomorrow? Mark’s eyes are disappointed at the end of the meeting.

“Probably not. I had today off, so this was a change of scenery. I work early hours, so we usually just circle our neighborhood.”

“This may be insanely forward, but would you be interested in grabbing dinner tonight?” He blurts.

“Sure.” The word falls out of Nathan’s mouth. “I’d love to actually.”

“Great!” Mark seems excited again. “There’s a place up on the east end. I can pick you up, around 7?” His eyes are fixed and full of hope.

Nathan pulls his phone from a coat pocket. He unlocks the security code with a thumbprint.

Mark scoops the device out of his hand and types away with an index finger. A message wooshes away. “There.” He smiles, handing the phone back. “I just messaged myself, so I have your number.” He winks. “Not letting you get rid of me with a fake out.” He giggles.

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