Page 90 of Dashing for Love

I’m not really up to it

I don’t really give a shit, Matthew. Yoga. Walk. You and me. Alone.

Killer licks my face as I stare at her text, and I have a feeling she’s dead serious. “You know what, little guy? Miss Willa has been awfully bossy these last months.”

He barks and licks my face again. “I guess we have Reid to blame for that. Or thank.”

The chihuahua hops off my lap, yips, and heads to the back door. I stand up. “I know. We thank him. Even if we’re a little scared of Willa right now. You wanna go out?”

He prances in a circle, his nails tapping on the hardwood. Kitty watches dispassionately from his bed in the corner, clearly not sharing Killer’s need at this time.

On a sigh, I let him out and get ready for yoga. To be honest, I’ve not felt like doing anything these past few days. All I can see are Goldie’s eyes. The way they blinked so innocently at me, then seemed to empty of all emotion when she realized I wasn’t going to speak.

Why didn’t she fight for us?

My stomach aches with guilt. That’s not the question I should be asking, and I know it.

I arrive at the appointed time, Killer wrapped in his usual carrier around my chest, and find Willa waiting for me outside the studio. “Let’s go.” She points toward the pier.

“No yoga?”

“No.”

“O-kay,” I say, trying to feel her out.

She doesn’t speak as we walk, but it’s clear she’s getting more and more pissed. Once we’re out on the pier, I decide there’s nothing to do but dive on in. Metaphorically, that is. “You wanted to talk?”

She stops and whirls on me. “What in the actualhellhave you been thinking?”

“Me?”

She pokes my chest. “Yes.You, Matty. Or should I call you James?”

I exhale. “You know.”

“Did you think I wouldn’t?”

Head hanging, all I can say is, “Shit.”

She pokes me again. “Yeah. Shit. You’re lucky we’re not at the diner. There are no knives around here.”

I back away. “Jesus, Willa.”

“Oh, no way, buddy. You don’t get to act all offended or worried. What. Were. You. Thinking?” she growls.

I wipe a hand down my face. “I…wasn’t?”

“You’re damn right you weren’t!” She swivels and stomps away, then stomps back. “Seriously, Matty, how could you be sostupid?”

Andthat’sthe question I should have been asking myself these past four days. Problem is, there’s no answer. “I’m…not sure what you want me to say.”

She throws her hands up. “What do I want you to say? What Iwantis for you to start at the beginning and explain to me what happened!”

“I didn’t know it was her at first?—”

“But then youdid. And you acted like a certifiable asshole!”

I blink. “Wait. Wait, wait, wait.”

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