Chapter 2 #2
I let out a big sigh and go back to the kennel. So what? It’s not like I have anything to lose. He’s not about to ask me out. He likes how I look. He’s a flirt. That’s it.
And most importantly of all, I’m not in a position to date anyone. I have Jimmy to watch out for. He’s more important than some passing fancy to satisfy my suddenly restless pussy.
When I get back, I find that said passing fancy and Jimmy have Dasher packed up in a box with his blanket and pet toys and sample puppy food.
“Great job, Jimmy.” I’m pleased with my son and wrap an arm around him, hugging him to my side. Avoiding Sean as if looking at him will turn me to stone—or more likely molten lava.
“Mommy, Sean says we can visit Dasher any time we want.” He’s excited and flushed and I don’t know what to think. Taking a chance, I dart a glance at Sean.
He shrugs. “Jimmy says you live here in East Boston and so do I. Figure it’ll be easy and especially when I’m away, maybe you—he could help me out by walking Dasher.” He grins, confident that it’s a plan.
But long years of being on guard has me skeptical.
Even if he is a rich and famous guy and not likely to be anything but who he seems, a kind wolfish, yet boyish man, I wonder.
Is he trying to take advantage somehow? But then I realize I’m letting my fantasies about the hunky Sean Patrick get the better of me.
Of course he’s just being polite. Nothing will ever come of it.
This is about Jimmy, not me. Jimmy loves that puppy and I don’t need this man getting his hopes up.
He’s standing there staring, not bothering to hide his drooling as he undresses me with his eyes.
Dismissing the urge to shrink back, I square my shoulders.
This jerk needs to be called out. He can toy with me all he wants, but he can’t toy with my son and get away with it.
If he’s going to make promises to Jimmy, they better not be rash ones.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” I smile sweetly, holding his eyes. “How about tomorrow?”
Jimmy jumps up and down, suddenly filled with more energy than I’ve seen in a while. That infuses my smile with real warmth.
“How about tonight?” he says, shocking me into silence. “I have another great idea,” he adds. “How about if I take you two to dinner?”
“Dinner?” Wait—what just happened? Is this guy for real?
“Later,” he says. “We can take Dasher for a walk then go to Louie’s for Italian. It’s local and they have great food.”
“I don’t know…” What the hell is going on? Did he just call my bluff and up the ante a million times? Now what do I do? Accepting the invitation feels too much like a sheep going to dinner with the wolf and getting eaten alive. Jimmy tugs on my sleeve.
One glance at his eager face tells me I’m in trouble.
If it’s all about Jimmy then I’ll need to toughen up and deal with Sean Patrick and his lure, Dasher.
We’ll both need to proceed with caution.
There’ve been too many strange men in and out of Jimmy’s life from our time at the rooming house and the last thing he needs is one more transient.
I’ve guarded against the lurid of interest of men for the past six years to protect Jimmy from loss and the feeling of desertion like I felt as a child.
Now I’ll need to double up on my guard because I know the kind of interest Sean Patrick has and that it’ll be short-lived.
“Jimmy has school tomorrow—”
“But Mommy—”
“Mind your mother, Jimmy,” Sean says, as if he has a right to and my eyes snap to his. “There’ll be another time,” he adds. “I’m a patient man.”
I want to ask him what that’s supposed to mean, but I clamp my mouth shut. Gwendolyn rushes into the room then and I want to groan. We’ve lost Sean’s attention. Shit. Jimmy smiles at Gwen, full of innocence, unaware of the kind of man Sean is, a man-whore. I can spot the type.
“I’m here to help,” she says. “Let’s get these pets ready to go.
” She claps her hands together and then she notices Sean.
I can tell the exact moment because she freezes for a second and then her face and posture transform.
She turns from all business to alluring woman in a flash, softening, smiling and slowing herself down to a hum as if she’s purring.
Inwardly rolling my eyes, I get busy gathering up the pamphlets to go with Sean’s new puppy and hand the packet to him. I know I should introduce him to Gwen, but I don’t because I’m suddenly a bad person, a jealous woman for no reason at all. I mean, his attention was never a healthy thing, right?
“Good luck with your puppy.” I hold my breath and for Jimmy’s sake, I add, “Maybe we’ll see you around.”
“Oh, you will. You can bet on it.” He doesn’t give Gwen a second look. In spite of the healthy skepticism planted deep in my soul, my heart flips around. And then Gwendolyn steps in.
“Hi, I’m Gwendolyn Bennett and I know who you are. Sean Patrick. Exceptional field goal kicker for the Militia.”
He nods at Gwen, ruffles Jimmy’s hair and winks at me then leaves. Jimmy waves back, still grinning with the promise of seeing Dasher again though I’m ninety-nine percent sure it’s a false promise.
As the door closes behind the larger-than-life man, all the life goes out of the room with him—or it could be just me that’s deflated. I hug Jimmy to me and promise myself to find a way to get him his own puppy. Soon. By Christmas.