Page 12 of Gunner

“I’m glad, but I still feel guilty about all the time you have him. You sure you won’t let me pay you anything for your time? After all, you walk him and pick up after him.”

“Let’s just say it’s a good trade. Without him, I’d be alone at home. And walking him is about the only exercise I get, so if you think about it, you’re doing me a huge favor by leaving him here.”

I cocked my head and smiled. Talking to Asher was so easy. If only we were compatible. He’d moved next door eight months ago, and we’d become friends. He had a key to my place and everything. It’d make sense if he needed something for Zeus from my house while I was at work.

“All the same, on my day off, I’ll come over and mow that lawn of yours.”

Asher’s hand fluttered up to his neck. From the pink creeping up into his cheeks, he’d latched on to the double entendre thatwas purely coincidental. I was the one who liked my lawn to be mowed.

“You don’t have to, but I won’t turn you down,” he said. “In fact, why don’t you stay for a while? I made beef stew, but I haven’t eaten yet. We can have dinner together.”

Compared with the frozen pizza I had in my refrigerator, beef stew sounded divine, but staying for dinner would give him the wrong impression that I was into him.

“I’ll have to take a rain check.”

“It’s just dinner.”

“I’m expecting company. And it shouldn’t be long until they get here.”

“Then stay right there for a few minutes. Please don’t leave.”

Asher ran back inside. I scratched behind Zeus’s ear to calm him down. In a few minutes, Asher returned, carrying a covered dish. He pushed it into my arms, giving me no chance to refuse his offer.

“There you go,” he said. “I hope you enjoy it, and some other time, we can have that dinner together.”

“Thanks, Asher,” I said softly. “I really appreciate how neighborly you are.”

He was a kind young man with a big heart. One who would have made a perfect partner. After a long day working, I needed someone to welcome me home. A little old fashioned, maybe, but it would work for me.

Too bad I wasn’t attracted to him.

“Anytime, Ben. See you tomorrow.”

I waved and took Zeus by the collar. Asher remained at the door, staring after us. He’d spent so much time taking care of Zeus it was reasonable for him to miss the dog, but I had the feeling he was staring at me. I didn’t give in to the urge to check. I needed someone to watch Zeus more than I needed an affair that wouldn’t last.

Home at last. I shrugged off my clothes and got comfortable in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. I turned the TV on in the background and played with Zeus for a few minutes, then washed up. I was making a salad to go with the stew when the doorbell rang.

My sister’s husband stood on the porch.

“Jasper, come on in. Let me take your coat.”

Zeus came up to check out our visitor, determined he wasn’t a threat, and sauntered off. I led Jasper into the kitchen.

“Did you just get home?” he asked. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“You’re fine. Sit. I was about to eat. Want some?”

“Is there enough?”

“Sure. I’ll just whip up a salad. There’s garlic bread in the freezer. Pop a few slices in the toaster, will you?”

“No prob.”

I sensed he had a lot on his mind as we worked quietly to put together a decent dinner for us. To think I’d hated him for so long. Apart from my sister, he was the closest thing to a family that I claimed, even with everything he and my sister had done wrong.

We settled down at the kitchen table. Jasper hummed when he tasted the stew. “This is really good. Did you make it?”

“Nah, my neighbor did.”

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