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“Yeah.You haven’t met him, but he’s…I want to say, sweet, you know.But can you say that about a guy in his mid-twenties?He doesn’t seem like the other young guys I’ve met.”

I’d turned down representing two clients who were so steeped in thebroculture that I honestly believed they weren’t going to take my advice—which would’ve been to stop talking before they got into even more trouble.I was a problem solver.A fixer.They were…almost unfixable.

“I meant the dog.”Marcie chuckled.“But now I’m intensely curious about his owner.”

“He’s…really sweet.”I knew I was repeating myself, but I didn’t want to say anything that might reveal what I’d observed.Overly cautious.Wary.Damaged.I couldn’t quantify those things…and so they remained unsaid.Too personal to share.Marcie had always been a good sounding board, though.If I needed help, she’d offer advice and be discreet.I helped her with the kids—she returned the favor with suggestions on how to improve my love life.

Joining dating apps was her go-to suggestion.

I was on a couple and hooked up on occasion.But I wanted to meet a guy the old-fashioned way.In person.Like while I was jogging and sweaty and he was walking his adorable dog.That was a meet-cute I wanted.A term I’d learned from Marcie, the incurable romantic.Even after coping with the hand life had dealt her, she never wavered.Never stopped believing in the power of love.

“My turn.”Thaddeus stood with his arms crossed against his chest.

“No.”Raphael tugged Wally toward them.

“Why don’t we try training?”I took the leash from Marcie and snagged a piece of kibble from my pocket.

Phillip had given me several pieces so I could continue the training we’d received yesterday from Jordan.

I wasn’t convinced we’d get far with two nibblets leading the way, but I was certainly willing to try.

And Wally, having spotted the kibble and dropped onto his butt, was clearly willing to give it a go as well.

Chapter7

Phillip

“This is your new library card.”Scott Wexler grinned at me.

His southern accent wasn’t too strong, but I couldn’t help but notice it.I’d learned about accents in different regions of the US by watching tons of television.More information than I could possibly absorb, but anything beyond what I’d been taught in that school in Oregon was a blessing.Knowledge was a gift I would never take for granted.“This is perfect.”I held the card in my hand.

“Now, you’re going to want to get a California ID card.”The redheaded librarian with the pretty green eyes smiled.“Or do you have a driver’s license?”

I cleared my throat.“I’ve, uh, never driven.”

“Okay.Then you’ll need lessons.Elyse, at the driving school, has her cars set up for instruction, so she’ll give you lessons.I’ll ask her about the friends-and-family discount.”

“Uh…” I scrunched my nose.“I don’t have any friends or family.”

Scott’s megawatt smile could’ve lit a stadium.“We’re friends.”

“I don’t own a car.I’ll likely never own a car.”

“That might be true, but you never know when you might need to drive.I didn’t own a car when I lived in LA, but one time my friend got a little too tipsy and I took the keys and drove us home.Emergencies might come up.Plus, having a license just looks good.You might get a job that involves driving.With lessons from Elyse, anyone in town will hire you.”

Another wince on my part.“I don’t have a job.”

“When you’re ready to look for one, I can help you.I lead a résumé-writing class once a month.In fact, I’m running it next week.I’ll save a computer for you, and we can get you organized.You might not need to use it right now, but?—"

“I used to work in a gas station pumping gas when I was sixteen.That’s it.I’ve never had another job.I never finished college.I don’t have any skills.”

He eyed me.“Do you know how to type?”

“Well, yeah.”

“That’s a skill.Do you know how to use a word processor?”

“Sure, but?—”