I’d let her scratch me behind the ears if she wanted.
“You aren’t going to leave this sweet boy in the truck while we eat, are you? It’s already getting pretty warm.”
She’s a dog person. I think she might just be perfect.
“Nah, you don’t need to worry about Lou. He’ll be just fine.”
“Good. I hate to think of you as one of those awful humans who leaves their dogs in a hot car in the middle of summer.”
“Well, once you get to know me a little better, you’ll know that would never be me.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Hmm…”
She spends the rest of the short drive quiet, looking out the window and thinking God only knows what.
When we pull up to a nice shady spot near The Jury Room, the diner sitting directly across the street from the courthouse, she hops out before I can get her door so I let Lou out of the cab and grab his bowl and a bottle of water. I let down the tailgate so he can jump in, fill his water bowl, and throw him the treat I had tucked away in my pocket.
Mason is waiting for me on the sidewalk, and the look on her face says she’s impressed with my relationship with my dog. I’m glad it matters to her. I don’t think I could be in a relationship with a woman who didn’t care about my dog, and a relationship is what I’m going to have with Mason O’Brien.
Even if she doesn’t know it yet.
Even if I’ve never really been in one before.
“How’s my handsome boy?” The sweet local florist whose shop, Busy Bee’s Flowers, is next door to the diner says, wasting no time coming out to greet my dog, but not me.
“He’s good, Mrs. Thoms, but what am I, chopped liver?”
“Oh, Miles, if only you were as sweet as your pup.”
She gives me a wink but puts her hand out to Mason.
“And who do we have here?”
“Mrs. Thoms, meet my friend, Mason. She’s staying in Katie’s place while she’s in New York taking over Broadway. I thought I’d take her to lunch since she hasn’t been to the The Jury Room yet.”
“Hi there, it’s nice to meet you,” Mason says, shaking hands with the sweet Mrs. Thoms. “I was just admiring your display. It’s gorgeous,” Mason compliments the front window of the flower shop with sincerity.
“Oh, I like you already. You swing by anytime, and I’ll be sure to make you something pretty. Now, don’t let me keep you. You two enjoy your lunch and make sure you leave room for a slice of pie. You won’t regret it. And you better make him pay. Lord knows he can afford it.”
Did she really just say that?
Nobody in this town has any scruples, I swear.
We say our goodbyes and snag a booth with a window and a view of Lou so I can keep my eye on him. Not that I need to. He’s so doted on by everyone in town, it’s ridiculous. By the time we order our meal, three different people have already stopped by to show him love.
“He seems to be a bit of a local celebrity. But so does his daddy.”
“Nah, it’s all about Sweet Lou. I’m just his driver. I bring him to the people, and he eats it up. He’s an attention whore, that one.”
“Why do I get the feeling you’re a bit of an attention whore yourself?”
She can lift that pretty little eyebrow all she wants; I have no shame in my game.
“I know what people say about me, and I can’t imagine what people have probably told you. The thing is, it’s all true, but I’m still the most trustworthy guy you’ll meet.”