Page 25

Chapter 24

Annette

C oming downstairs, I was almost afraid of what Terry had up his sleeves now. The past few days, he has had the ‘I just wanted to give you something’ gifts waiting for me. It was too much, especially when I couldn’t do the same for him.

Gifts were his love language, while I always preferred acts of service. But we weren’t together.

Unless…

What if he was trying to say he wanted to get back together by using the gifts rather than his words?

It was amazing how quiet things were at this hour. Everyone was still asleep. I stayed alert for Walter since it seemed like I would get halfway down the hall before he followed me downstairs to get breakfast.

As I got downstairs, I heard the pitter-patter of Walter’s feet and his bell. Before I could get my cup of coffee, I decided to walk the excited puppy so I could really relax a little bit.

Sure enough, there was another gift waiting for me by my dog walking supplies. Instead of putting on the running leash for Walter, I opened up the small box.

I hoped he didn’t give me any jewelry. Inside, there was a tiny note.

My Love,

I was hoping you would do me the honor of being my date. I know your dog walking is so busy at night, so I was thinking of lunch.

What do you think?

Scuba

It was still so silly to me that he called himself Scuba. He should go by Terry. It was a great name.

Then again, I never liked nicknames a whole lot. Back in the day, I only let my parents and Terry call me Annie.

As I clutched the letter and read it over a second time, I couldn’t help but think it was terribly romantic and sweet that he gave me a lunch date since he knew I was busy in the evenings. I just hoped it wouldn’t be detrimental to his game. The only way for him to be free during the day was to give up his pre-game nap.

But before I could do anything, Walter whimpered and scratched at the door.

Leaning down, I scratched his head and latched the leash to his collar. “I’m sorry, buddy.”

I opened the door and started to jog a little bit since it was the best way to contain Walter’s puppy energy. We only had to go around the block at a jogging pace, but then he would want to sleep during the day.

So, we jogged around the neighborhood. It was our normal routine.