Page 129 of Hound Dog
“That’s true.” I narrowed my eyes. Itwastrue. It was also the exact reason I gave my client when I proposed this spot for our meetup.
I cleared my throat as Mom sat down on the bench next to me. “So,” I said.
“So,” she repeated. “Uh, I guess we’rebothmeeting people here.”
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
It wasn’t possible that my mom was on a dating app… was it? That would be insane. Our app was marketed to younger people.
Even still, with Mom here tonight, I couldn’t exactly give this client the full experience if I was always looking over my shoulder.
I had to change locations. And hope that I could do it before my mom figured out that I was here as a matchmaker.
I stood up and handed her Lady’s leash. “You want a decaf latte?”
She started to stand as well, waving me off. “Oh, I’ll get it, Finn—”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said and bolted inside before she could stop me.
“You’re back,” Lex said from behind the coffee bar.
“Yeah. Hey, um, could I get a large decaf latte, please?”
“Of course.” He grabbed a paper cup, his eyes wandering to where my mom was sitting outside the window. “Your mom doesn’t usually come out this late.”
“Yeah,” I said, stretching the vowels out to be several syllables. “I know.”
I pulled out my phone and messaged Enzo over the loud grinding of espresso beans.
Hey. Any chance we could change the meeting place for me and this client?
She texted me back within moments.I can ask. Any place in particular?
I had chosen this place specifically because Elle had written on her intake form that she could only meet up after dinner and wanted somewhere quiet and subdued. So, a bar wouldn’t work. And I couldn’t take her out to the park. This time of night? Liam’s food truck would be parked there.
Finally, I typed,How about Nick’s Pizzeria?
Hold tight. Let me see if she responds.
I wandered around the cafe, pausing to look at some of the photographs on the wall.
Just as Lex was handing me the finished latte, Enzo’s text came through.
She’s good to go! She’ll meet you at Nick’s.
I exhaled audibly, relieved as I touched my credit card to the screen.
Lex’s brow arched. “Good news?”
I tapped the button for a twenty percent tip and smiled at Lex. “I think so,” I said with another glance out the window at my mom.
Then, taking the latte from the counter, I walked outside, back to the bench where Mom and Lady were waiting patiently for my return.
Smiling, I handed her the latte. “Mom, I’m actua—”
She stood, taking the cup from me and handing me Lady’s leash. “Change of plans,” she said. “I’m going over to Nick’s Pizzeria instead.”
My body went numb.
