Chapter 5
STELLA
It’s nearly six o’clock when I finally leave the office, the building quiet as I take the elevator down to the lobby and exit onto Granville. I would have stayed later but Betty is waiting for me, waiting for her walk and her dinner and some cuddles.
The rain has mostly let up, but everything is drenched as I head toward home, the streets and sidewalks shiny, tires of cars hissing on the wet pavement.
The office is close enough to home to walk.
It’s a great neighbourhood, albeit pricey, and close to so many things.
Including the London Drugs store I pop into because I’m out of shampoo, tampons, and nearly out of mascara.
I hurry the rest of the way home, mindful of my baby, Betty, waiting for me.
She greets me ecstatically, and I crouch down to hug her and pet her and kiss her nose.
“Hi, pretty girl. How are you? How was your day? I’m sorry I’m so late.
I had a busy day! How about you? No? You were just lazy? That’s okay.”
I know she understands every word I say.
Without bothering to change out of my work clothes—wide-leg grey pants, snug black top, and a tweedy jacket—I grab Betty’s leash and hook her up.
I’d like nothing more than to retreat into my cozy refuge, put some eye patches on my undereye bags, and pour a glass of wine.
But if I do that, Betty won’t get her walk.
“Okay, let’s go, princess.”
The street outside is shaded by trees, which are lovely, but even though it’s not raining, water drips on us from the leaves above. We hurry to the park in the darkening evening.
Of course I think of Jayden.
I roll my eyes at myself. I’ve thought about him a lot since our two encounters.
When I saw him Friday night, I’d almost been ready to ask him out for a drink, regretting my pass when he’d asked me out.
But he’d been in a hurry with Friday-night plans, and I have no doubt that included a woman. Oh well.
Having seen him twice here is what’s making me think of him. It’s unlikely I’ll run into him again.
Wrong.
There he is, walking toward us on the path, Frank on the leash. As soon as Frank spies us, he starts pulling at the leash, which draws Jayden’s attention to us.
I smile and shake my head.
But he’s not alone. Two kids are with him, skipping along behind him.
My curiosity immediately spikes.
“Hey,” he says as he nears us.
“Hey.” I return his smile.
Our dogs greet each other with nose sniffs, tails wagging.
“This dog is Frank’s twin!” the little girl cries.
“Pretty close, huh?” Jayden grins at her. He looks back at me. “This is my niece, Layla, and this guy is my nephew, Hugo.”
“Hi,” Layla says with an up-and-down look worthy of someone twenty years older.
“Monkeys, this is Stella.”
“Hi,” I say to them, smiling. Layla’s about five, I think, and I guess Hugo is three.
“My sister’s kids,” Jayden says. He pauses. “Have you ever heard of the three-meeting theory?”
I turn to him and meet his eyes. “No. I have not.”
“It’s the idea that if you meet up with the same person three times, it’s for a reason.”
Three times.
A smile tugs at my lips as I nod.
“The first time you meet, you’re strangers, obviously. The second time, a connection is made, but it’s bad timing.”
That was the game at the arena.
“And the third time, it’s a sign of destiny,” he continues solemnly. “Synchronicity.”
“I think that was also bad timing,” I say. “You had plans that night.”
“Oh. True.”
“So this is the fourth meeting, technically.”
“Right. Anyway. It’s a message from the universe.”
“You’re really into this.”
His lips curve upward. “Maybe.”
“What is the message the universe is sending us?” I ask, sounding flirty.
“That we should pay attention. It could be a soul connection between us.”
My smile breaks free. “Ah. Or… it could be because we both walk our dogs here at the same time.”
“That’s not as interesting.” He’s still holding my gaze. “I think it means something.”
“Yeah?” I glance down at the two kids who are patting both dogs. “What does it mean?”
“It means…” He pauses and drags a hand down his face. “I think it means we should have that drink. But also… the universe’s timing is still wrong, because I’m babysitting tonight.”
“We’re not babies, Uncle Jay,” Layla says.
“I know, kiddo.”
“I’m big!” Hugo bounces up, flexing his tiny biceps.
Betty barks at him.
Hugo jumps back and grabs Jayden’s leg.
“It’s okay,” I reassure him. “You just startled her.”
“I’m not afraid,” Hugo mumbles.
“It’s okay to be afraid, buddy,” Jayden says gently.
I shoot him a surprised glance.
“I think Betty is afraid of you,” he adds.
Hugo relaxes and approaches Betty again, who sniffs his hand. All is well.
I meet Jayden’s eyes and smile.
“So what do we do about this message from the universe?” he asks.
I suck my bottom lip between my teeth briefly. “Maybe I’ll see you here tomorrow night?”
A slow smile spreads across his face. “Yeah.”
I smile back at him and we’re gazing into each other’s eyes and the park kind of fades around us until Hugo says, “Come on, Uncle Jay! You said we could get ice cream.”
We break the eye contact to look at the boy.
“Ice cream? What? I never said that.”
“Yes, you did!”
“Uncle Jay!”
“Okay, okay. I did say that.” He gives me a wink that’s cute not smarmy. “Let’s go, monkeys.”
“Bye,” I say. “Nice to meet you, Layla and Hugo.”
“Bye!” They skip ahead toward the park exit and Jayden follows them.
Huh. I wander along the path feeling a little disoriented.
How adorable was he with those kids?
He’s babysitting.
Oh my God. I’m a mess. But there’s something about that man that grabs my attention. Maybe it’s the double dimples when he smiles. Or the way his eyes crinkle up. Or the easy eye contact he makes. Or all of the above.
I let Betty off her lead so she can run and I stroll aimlessly, keeping an eye on her, but also thinking about Jayden. And when I get home, I realize I’ve thought more about Jayden than I have the business dilemma I’m facing right now.
Is that good… or bad?