Page 22

Hunter was teaching on Thursday when I had some free hours, but I wasn’t sure if I should show up. I didn’t hear from her on Tuesday or during the day on Wednesday and I was losing my mind just a little bit.

I’d kept Tor apprised of everything going on with her and he kept getting annoyed that I wasn’t contacting her.

“This isn’t like you,” he kept saying.

“I know. She’s different. Needs a different approach.” Normally when I saw someone I wanted, I went for it and cranked up the charm so high that they said yes before they even knew what was happening. I’d never really struggled when it came to dating. Most of my relationships had been short-lived, but that had been fine with me. They’d naturally run their course and I hadn’t been devastated when they ended.

This thing with Hunter though. It was an inferno already.

“Have you told Mom and Dad?” he asked me.

“No. And don’t you tell them,” I said as we lounged on his couch. His apartment was nicer than mine so I’d brought Buck over to hang out on Wednesday night.

“And what about you? Seen anyone cute lately?” I asked, fishing.

Tor kicked his legs up on the coffee table and crossed his ankles, finishing his beer. I’d been slowly sipping mine even though I didn’t have a shift tomorrow. I still had work at the shelter, though, and being hung over wasn’t professional.

“Not really,” he said. “Jesse has been trying to set me up with his sister again. I guess she finally got rid of that loser she was seeing.”

I snorted. “Yeah, stay away from that.” Jesse was a nice guy, but his sister was a hot mess and I didn’t want my very nice brother anywhere near the chaos that was Jesse’s sister.

“I’m not miserable, you know,” he said.

“I know. But I’d like to see you happy. Have someone to come home to after your shift. Someone to wash your uniforms and to come to cookouts with.” Someone to take care of him, but I didn’t say that.

He turned his head and stared at me. “I could say the same thing to you.”

“I’m working on it,” I said, punching his shoulder.

I couldn’t get ahead of myself, but for a moment I let myself picture coming home and Hunter being there waiting for me. I hoped she liked dogs. She had to like dogs.

“So am I. In my way.”

I laughed. “You’re not working on shit.”

“Shut up.”

I guess I could be free for pie after my class. Meet you at the gym?

Hunter’s message came through on Thursday morning as I was getting ready for work. I read it while I was brushing my teeth and almost swallowed my toothbrush.

I had to read the message three times before I could believe it was real. She’d finally responded. Finally. And she wanted to hang out. With pie.

Sounds like a plan to me. I’ll be there.

Since no one was around to see me but Buck, I did a little victory dance that involved a lot of flailing.

“Don’t you dare judge me,” I said to Buck, who sat in the doorway of the bathroom watching me with his head cocked to the side as if he couldn’t figure me out.

“Are you ready to go to work?” I asked him and he barked and ran for the front door to get his harness.

No one had ever been so excited about the word “work” before.

I finished up getting ready and headed out to start my day with a huge ass smile on my face.

Hunter

I’d expected her to start blowing up my phone right away, but she didn’t. I gave her a good twenty-four hours and nothing. Like she was waiting for me to make the first move. Instead of doing that, I decided to see how long she could hold out. Stace seemed like the kind of person who loved to chat, and I didn’t think she could be silent for very long.