“Stop ruining my masterpiece. I worked hard on that.”
Ansel looks up when he realizes she’s talking to him. “Uh…?”
“Boys,” she mutters to me. “So, incredibly dumb.”
“I’m dumb for picking crust off?” He looks genuinely offended.
“No, your species as a whole is dumb.”
“We’re from the same species, Sasha. Just different genders.”
“You sure about that?” she argues, her eyes narrowed and deadly.
If she thinks Ansel and I argue like an old married couple, I don’t know what she calls what they do.
We finish our lunch, pack everything up, and make the descent.
I hug Sasha goodbye and hop in Ansel’s car so he can drive me home.
After a thirty-minute drive, he pulls up in front of the building. For some reason I find myself reluctant to leave him, which is completely irrational and silly.
“Je te verrai demain, Meadows.”
I’ll see you tomorrow.
“Thanks for the ride.”
I slip out of his car and walk into the building toward the elevator.
Pushing the button I stand there and wait, trying to ignore the pain radiating from my left hip down my leg. I overdid it today and I’m going to pay for it. But I enjoyed myself too much to care.
The doors slide open and I’m promptly pushed to the ground by a giant brown floof. A large wet pink tongue licks my face all the way from the bottom of my chin to the top of my forehead.
“Zeppelin! Down, boy. You can’t run over strangers.” The giant dog is pulled off me and I giggle, wiping my face free of drool. “Oh, Dani, it’s you.” An easy smile transforms his face, softening his features.
“Hey, Lachlan.”
I wince.
Lachlan—you’re calling him Lachlan now?
“Sorry about Zeppelin.” I’m surprised he doesn’t correct me and tell me to call him Mr. Taylor. I breathe a sigh of relief at that. “Here, let me help you up.”
He extends his hand and I take it. Normally I would refuse, but with my left side practically numb I do need the help. Behind him the elevator has closed and the arrows lit up above it show that it’s going back up and I’ll have to wait for another.
“Don’t worry about him. I like this guy.” I pet the dog on top of his head. I still can’t get over his size. I’m five-foot-five and when he sits on his hind legs he’s nearly as tall as me.
“Still, he shouldn’t be knocking people over.” He wraps the leash around his right hand a few times. “Having a good weekend?”
“Not too bad.”
“Good.” He swallows, pressing his lips together. “Have you started the book?”
I shake my head, crossing my arms over my chest. The gesture pushes my boobs together and his eyes, unbidden, drop to the swells and then away. I don’t miss the subtle tick in his jaw. I let my arms drop.
“I’m planning to start it tonight.”
“I’ll be curious to hear what you think of it.”