Page 136 of New York Love Stories: Vol. 1

“Are you not going to walk Rascal anymore?” Mr. Clark asks, scratching his head. Rascal whimpers at my feet. “Do you want me to pay you more money, Juni?” He ducks into his living room, leaving me standing in the doorway with the leash in hand. “I have a two-dollar bill around here somewhere.”

“I didn’t even know they made those anymore?”

He laughs to himself as he pulls the urn off his shelf. “I used to get them at the club.” Looking back at me, I’m given a mischievous grin. He waggles his thick eyebrows, and then adds, “The ladies’ club, if you know what I mean.”

“Unfortunately, I do know what you mean.” It’s an image I’ll spend the rest of the day trying to rid from my brain. I continue, “I don’t need more money or any money for that matter. I walk Rascal for free, remember?” Rascal yaps. “I was talking about my day job. Also, put the urn back. You don’t want to spill Mrs. Clark on the rug again.”

He holds up a finger. “Right.” Standing in front of the shelf, he kisses it, and says, “You always did like the sunshine, my darling,” before placing it in a spot of sunlight. My heart melts as I hold my chest. Ninety-three years young and was lucky enough to be married to the love of his life for seventy of those.

When he comes back to the door, he asks, “How’d Rascal like his walk?”

I smile. His memory may be fading, but his heart is always in the right place. “I’m taking him now. We’ll be back in a little while, Mr. Clark.”

He’s already lost interest and is settling into his recliner. “Thanks, Marion.”

I never correct him when he calls me by my grandmother’s name because for a moment, I can feel her with me again. She’d get a kick out of the sweet mistake. I shut the door and then kneel to have a chat with Rascal. “Upstairs today or to the park?” I release his leash, and he legs it for the elevators. “The park it is.”

Gil will be gone, done with his shift for the weekend, but seeing Pete sitting behind the desk makes me wonder if I should run my idea by him.

“Hey, Juni, it’s a beautiful Saturday.”

“It sure is.” I keep walking, thinking it’s best if I don’t put a damper on his day with my issues.

He pops out of his chair and opens the door wide for us. “Where are you and Rascal heading today?”

“I think a quick stroll around the park and maybe some ice cream from The Barkery down the street.”

“I was just there on Thursday. Picked up some peanut butter treats for Enzo. He devoured them. I bet Rascal would like the nutty nibbles.”

Pete spoils his pit bull like a kid. It’s really sweet. “We’ll have to try them. Have a great day.”

He’s right. It’s a beautiful day. The sun’s shining, a blue sky is overhead, and flowers are blooming. Spring is just magical as the earth reawakens from the dormant winter.

Rascal tugs on his leash. He’s only ten pounds, so I can handle him, but geez. “Slow your horses. Well, paws in your case. We’re almost there.”

Just as we enter the park, I freeze. Tensing my lips, I give Rascal my best evil eyes. “You little traitor. You tricked me.”

I look down the path to where Andrew’s stretching—sweaty hair with glistening skin and biceps he’s been hiding under too many clothes since we met. “Oh my.” I fan myself, and then ask Rascal, “How about Central Park today?”

He yaps his approval. It’s so cute when he replies.

“Juni?”

Okay, maybe not so cute when he draws unwanted attention, though . ..

I head back down the path to the sidewalk, my pace rivaling Olympian speed walkers if speed walking is a thing in the Olympics. I’d probably win. I’d better. There’s no point entering a competition to lose.

What am I talking about?

“Juni, wait up.”

I turn back to see him actually jogging after me.Shit.I’m never going to outwalk his pace. Seeing the edge of the landscaping, I’m left with no other choice. I duck behind the shrub and lower my head. It’s not the most mature reaction to seeing someone you totally embarrassed yourself in front of the night before, but it’s the only answer I have right now.

“What are you doing, Juni?”

I remain silent. Not because I don’t think he can see me, but because I have nothing to say. And with the sun above, I don’t want to be tempted by those warm brown eyes to say the wrong thing, likeI’m hiding from you.

His feet come closer, and he squats down next to me. “What’s going on?”

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