Page 7 of Downward Dawg
In response, he offered her his elbow and silently held his breath until she tucked her small hand into the crook. He could feel the heat of her skin through the folds of his shirt sleeves. The touch of her fingers curling around his arm was satisfying something inside him, and his chest puffed up a little. His assistance wasn’t needed in any way, but the gracious acceptance gratified his pride. He heard a quiet hum from her, then she gave a tiny jump and he realized she’d skipped to get into step with him.
He couldn’t have stopped the smile that burst forth if he’d tried.
No way I’d want to shut any part of this down.
“You take your coffee the same way if it’s the first cup of the day?” Swinging the door to his shop open, he let her step through ahead of him. “I’m a full strength person for that initial cup.”
“I don’t know another way to enjoy my coffee. Sugar and cream for me, all the way.” She gifted him with a tiny smile as she looked around his still-dark shop. “It’s nice and quiet in here. Do you usually have music playing?”
“Nah. I just listen in to whatever you’re playing for the day.” His admission was met by what he took as a satisfied sigh. “I like the tunes you play.”
“So do I.” She stopped next to him, her slim hip a breath away from touching his denim-clad one. “I’m pleased to find out the enjoyment doesn’t stop with the walls between us.”
Doctored mug in hand, he turned to her and held it out silently. She took it just as quietly. So, one way too-quick cup of coffee later, he ushered her from his door to the one of her studio, standing silent guard with an armful of pillows while she unlocked the deadbolt and disarmed the alarm.
She turned and paused. “I’ll see you around, Mad Dawg.” Elodie smiled at him, full on, and the brilliance of it was blinding.
She’s like the sun, the brightest thing I’ve ever seen.
***
Elodie
After a full week of the early morning greetings, she’d stopped being surprised by Mad Dawg’s appearance next to her car window. It seemed his vaunted meeting had turned up nothing useful, so his sleep continued to be interrupted by what she considered a wildly misplaced sense of chivalry.
Elodie climbed out of the car as she beamed up at him, an expression that never failed to gain a return smile. Through their brief and somewhat sleepy conversations, she’d come to realize he liked it a lot when she smiled.
Making her way to the door with hands full of keys and infusion scents, she nodded. “Mornin’ Mad Dawg.”
“Morning Elodie. How was your night?” As had become their routine, he propped the door open with an elbow, letting her enter before him.
“I slept well, thank you.” Once she had her hands free and the alarm disarmed, he passed over today’s meticulously made mug of coffee. She was amused to find the cup was the same “cuntcake” one that she’d found hilarious before. He looked on as she took the first sip.
“Coffee okay?” This was another tiny bit of routine interchange, because he always checked her read on the suitability of the caffeinated offering. “It’s a new brand. I like it. Tastes smooth.”
“It’s perfection. Thank you so much.” She paused, then asked, “So, what’s on your agenda for the day?” Elodie turned on the heated floors in the studio, then rolled the stand with blocks to one side of the front door. “Big day ahead, getting ready for the weekend? I don’t do sunrise classes Saturday and Sunday, which means you can sleep in if you want.”
“I’m headed down state for a couple of days. Looking for more info, if it’s available. I’d like to put a pin in what it meant by these guys coming around.” The frown on his face was focused and heavy, his mood no longer seeming susceptible to her lighthearted conversation starter. “You’re covered, though. Promise. I’ve got someone who’ll come in the mornings when I can’t be here.”
“Mad Dawg.” She offered him another smile. “I’m fine alone, promise. I’ve opened the studio early for a long time, and never had issues. I told you I think I’m here way too early for the bad guys to even be rolling out of bed.” Coming closer to him, she rested a hand against his bicep. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’d rather not take the chance.” His big hand covered hers, fingers curling around and giving her a squeeze. Her heart skipped a beat, belly quivering as it had each time he’d done something affectionate. “Humor me, yeah?”
“Humor you. That’s what you’ve been saying for days.” She shrugged lightly. “Whatever floats your boat, Dawg.” She aimed for entertaining, and it seemed this hit the mark, because he finally smiled at her, albeit briefly. “That’s your new name, I think. Dawg. Easier than linking two syllables together. That’s just so much effort.” She wiped the back of one limp wrist across her forehead, pulling away from his grip to prop it on her hip. “I simply cannot be bothered anymore.”
“Well, if sayin’ my name is too much, then I guess I can accept a nickname.” Rolling his eyes, he chuckled. “Maybe I’ll start calling you Ella, or just El, since two syllables are a chore.”
“Lemme think. Meh, I don’t hate Ella.” Honestly, it was loads better than the Lo-Lo her mother had called her throughout childhood, but she wouldn’t be offering him the other option.He gave me a nickname back! That has to mean he likes me, right, universe?She fought a smile, loving their playful exchange. Angling her head regally, she proclaimed, “I accept your token of affection.”
“Token of affection?” He lifted his mug and finished off his coffee. Lowering it, he stared at her intently, then broke into a smile. “Is that what Dawg is, then?”
“Of course,” she said brightly. “If I didn’t like you, I wouldn’t pick on you.”
“Good to know your love language is filled with pranks and irritation.”
“Oh no.” She pressed one hand against her chest and pretended to be offended. “You’ve got me figured out.”
“Jesus,” he muttered, looking down as his smile widened. “You’re something else, Ella.”
