Page 77 of The Love Dose

I place my arms around her waist, draw her to me. I’m focused only on her soft, delicious lips. I tilt my head downward and close my eyes.

“Can we get a puppy, Daddy?” There’s a tug on the back of my shirt.

Chacha’s timing is horrendous but for me the mood is anything but shattered.

My eyes remain glued to my beautiful, complicated Caroline as I answer my son’s question. “What do you think about a Labrador Retriever?”

“What’s that?”

“A funny doggie who loves to play,” I say. “His name is Rezy.”

Caroline’s eyes widen at my words.

“I’m thinking . . . maybe we can be a family—you, me, Rezy, and . . . Aunt Caroline.”

“Yeah!” Chacha cheers, jumping up and down. His battery is back to full power.

Caroline’s eyes glisten with unshed tears as she cups my cheek, her voice barely a whisper. "Do you really mean it, Calvin?"

“There’s nothing I want more than for us to be together.”

Chacha’s glee fades to the background as I lean in once more, heart pounding. “I love you, sweetheart,” I manage, my voice thick with emotion.

“I love you too, Dr. Handsome.”

And then, finally, like releasing a long-held breath, I bring Caroline’s smiling, waiting lips to mine.

Chapter Fifty-One

Caroline

Isn’t the big fundraiser coming up?” Evie asks, as the Le Marais waiter sets down five pretty mojitos garnished with fresh sprigs of mint. “You seem super relaxed.”

Without skipping a beat, I hand my phone to the waiter and Mo, Barbie, Sam, Evie, and I squeeze in for a photo. I’m still pinching myself that Evie is back in town. She’s sticking to her plan not to miss our club meetings, something I will attempt to adhere to myself.

“That’s because I’m taking a back seat,” I say, then sip my mojito. “Sam is claiming the reins. Maybe for future years too, if she’s willing.”

I mentally slap myself for ever doubting Sam. Her auction idea is bringing in new donations every day. Big money. I tell the other gals about it and they seem intrigued.

Sam, however, is more interested in talking about her new neighbor.

The topic change from her ex—the only man Sameverspeaks about—is unsettling, like we’re witnessing a seismic shift in her personal evolution.

We’re all leaning in, curious.

“He was up mowing the lawn at seven thirty Saturday morning. Can you believe the nerve?”

We alltsk tskin solidarity.

“Did I already say he’s a single dad?”

We shake our heads.

“He’s noisy. Or his kids are. Between the mower and the music blaring?—”

“What kind of music?” Barbie interjects.

I suspect she’s trying to get the conversation back into chill mode. I exchange glances with Evie and can tell she’s thinking what I’m thinking. Sam likes this new, ‘annoying’ neighbor. Though she may not know it yet.