Page 21 of Embers of You
“Hey, I just like to make sure there’s plenty of me to go around, I’m busy. Lots of people to see, things to do, I work whenI can.” Lilly giggles. She seems bubbly and nice, though they clearly have a relationship that consists of teasing as a form of love language.
“We’ll let you get back to it, I just didn’t want you confused whenever Lily makes her appearance around here,” Trish tells me.
They walk away and I go back to rinsing Duke and learning that he’s sweet until the dryer turns on. Then, he attempts to eat the air that comes out of it.
“That’s really not helpful,” I try to tell him over the loud dryer, but he doesn’t listen and continues to chase the nozzle with his open mouth.
Eventually, I manage to get him dry, trim his nails, and brushed with a rubber brush since he barely has any fur.
“Guess I should call your dad,” I tell him while he smiles with his tongue out. “Jerry Lee, you better not say a damn word.”
The traitorous bird doesn’t make a noise, and I assume he’s sleeping, but something tells me he’ll make sure he’s awake to embarrass me once again when Jameson shows up. Since that seems to be his specialty.
I let Duke run around the empty salon as I call his dad, who picks up on the second ring.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Duke is all ready for you to come get him.”
“Perfect. Are you hungry?”
“Okay, I’ll see you-what?”
“Are you hungry?” he repeats.
“No?”
“Okay, it can be for later then. Do you like sandwiches? Or pizza?”
“What’re you talking about?”
“If you don’t pick, then I’m going to choose for you, and we can both hope I guess correctly.”
I open and close my mouth a couple of times unsure of what to say.
“Okay, my choice, then. Hope you like anchovies and pineapple.”
“You really don’t—” My phone beeps signaling that he hung up and I scowl at the screen. Looking over at Duke, I tell him, “Your dad may be a little crazy.”
A little while later the front door opens, and I’m assaulted with the smell of fresh pizza. Luckily, I detect no hint of fish or fruit and my stomach growls right on cue, making me realize just how hungry I really am.
Duke rushes over toward the smell and I’m not sure if it’s because he realizes it’s his dad or if he thinks he’s getting an extra treat.
“Hey, buddy, you look so clean,” Jameson greets his dog right before I turn the corner and see him holding a pizza box in one hand.
Folding my arms across my chest, I say, “I told you I’m not hungry.”
Right on cue my stomach growls again and Jameson gives me a pointed look, handing the pizza box to me. “Okay, then you can just eat that when you are.”
I take it from him with a sigh. “Thanks. This doesn’t count as payment, though.”
“I know. It’s because I know if I tried to ask you on a date you’d turn me down, so this was the closest option until I can convince you to say yes.”
“I told you; I’m not looking for anything.”
“That’s why I didn’t ask. Just figured you’d need to eat sometime.” He smiles and it’s so genuine, so sweet that I drop my shoulders, not realizing I had bunched them up near my ears.
“Thanks,” I say softly.
