Page 44 of Love in Mission City

I’d tried to hide my attraction to Byron, but clearly, I’d failed.

That night Byron insisted on treating me to Starbucks. Because we could sit on the patio with the kids. I didn’t ever want anything to happen to the man on whom I had a massive crush…but I also liked the idea that I’d be here for the puppies if anything ever happened to him.

As I munched on my egg breakfast sandwich—at four in the afternoon—Byron nibbled on some kind of charcuterie meal thingy. Super healthy. I liked that about him. He didn’t work out strenuously…but he kept in shape by taking the dogs for long hikes up in the hills or long walks around the lake. He’d started inviting me, and I’d been thrilled.

Since my pronouncement, during a moment of weakness, when I’d said I didn’t want to go home because I was lonely, Byron had been extra solicitous. Extending invitations to me.Initiating text conversations. Bringing me out to dinner—ostensibly to celebrate.

“It’s Friday night.” He poked at his food. “Do you have a date or—”

“Nope.”

“Not even with Everett?”

“Nope.” I grinned. “Not my type these days. I’m into slender older men who own dogs.”

As expected, he blushed. “Oh.”

“I would love to come over and to watch that last episode…”

He cleared his throat. “Of course you can.”

“Great.” I put as much enthusiasm as I could into that. Then I scratched my stubble. My beard always grew fast, and a five o’clock shadow was a thing for me.

“What is it?” Byron tilted his head. “You’ve got something going on in that mind of yours.”

“Uh…” I scrunched my nose.Just go for it. “Do you think, you know, that you would ever date again?”

His eyes widened. Today was another dreary spring day—although no rain, thank goodness. Otherwise we would’ve had to do takeout. Or drive-thru. I liked just sitting here relaxing with him. Seeing and, more importantly, being seen. That was important to me.

“I…” He appeared to consider, with a little furrow in his brow. “I never thought about it. Percy was my one. My forever. He just didn’t see it that way. He lives in Vancouver now. With a man who, if his social media account is accurate, is a…party animal.”

“You follow your ex-boyfriend’s current boyfriend on social media? That’s kind of, I don’t know, stalkerish…?”

He wrinkled his nose. “Honestly, not more than a couple of times, back when we first split. I wanted to know what he had that I didn’t.”

“Nothing.” I eyed his cucumber slices.

He nudged two pieces toward me.

I snagged them and held up my hands.

Both Rosebud and Sheffield sat.

I gave them each a piece.

Byron snickered.

“What?”

“You’re so predictable. You’re always giving them treats. I appreciate they’re always healthy treats. Getting Rosebud down to the correct weight has been a challenge.”

“You’ve done admirably. She looks amazing.” I crooned as I petted her head.

She preened.

“I’ve noticed she’s better around strangers since she met you. Not as reticent.”

I beamed and dusted off my shirt. “She has good taste.”