Chapter 6
Six
“Oh my word. Your friends are hilarious,” Erykah said.
“They have their moments.” He glanced at her, trying not to notice just how beautiful she was when her guard was down and laughter brightened her eyes. “Every now and again, Lamont and Tuck’s fiancées take over our thread and then the jokes really roll in.”
“Have either set wedding dates?” She passed back his cell.
Chris made a left onto a street that ran right in front of an animal shelter. “Yep.”
He sighed. The thought of going to two weddings so close together made him slightly antsy. “Tuck and Piper are getting married in November. Lamont and Nevaeh have decided on a New Year’s wedding.”
Chris hopped out of the vehicle and rounded the front to assist Erykah, but she was already shutting the door. Of course she wouldn’t have waited for him. It’s not like this was a date or anything. Going into an animal shelter wasn’t romantic.
An associate greeted them when they walked in. He’d already called ahead and let her know the situation, so she took the pup right back behind the double doors. In a matter of moments, she informed them the dog wasn’t registered.
“Have you seen any wanted posters with his face?” Chris asked.
“Nope.”
“Thanks.” He waved, then escorted Erykah out of the building. “You checked your own condo for wanted posters, right?”
“Yeah. I talked to the front desk as well. No one has a missing pet.”
“Then it looks like he’s all yours.”
The happiness shining in her brown eyes almost did him in. They got back in the car, and he drove until they reached his favorite pet store.
Silence filled the cab until Erykah broke it. “You know, when you said Lamont and Nevaeh, it made me think of that Hollywood couple. Remember that one actor who starred in Troubled and admitted to starting a fake relationship?”
Placing the vehicle in park, Chris faced her. “Might be because they’re one and the same.”
She blinked. “Are you trying to say the Lamont in your phone is the Lamont Booker ? Like, the Sexiest Man Alive Lamont?”
“That’s what I’m saying.” Would she start fangirling?
Nevaeh had shared with him and Tuck how she’d fangirled in the early parts of her relationship to the actor. Chris was secure enough to admit that Lamont could catch any woman’s eye. But there was a part of Chris—he’d ignore just how great a part—that didn’t want Erykah to react in the same way.
“You know him?”
“I do.”
“And Tuck? Is he someone famous too?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “If you follow the world of horse racing.”
“The trainer of this year’s Derby winner?”
Huh. Not many people knew Derby trainers. “Yep.”
Her mouth dropped, then closed. “Who are you, Chris Gamble?”
“I’m just a man.”
“Likely story,” she muttered, unbuckling her seat belt. She snuggled the puppy close to her. “Puppy’s ready to go inside.”
His brows raised. “You’re not naming him that, are you?”
“No, but he doesn’t like any of my choices.”
“Which were?”
“Mime,” she whispered, then speaking louder, “but he liked Marlowe better.”
Chris winced. “Poor guy. Can’t say I blame him for not wanting to answer to Mime or Marlowe.”
“True, but what do I call him?”
“Let me see him.”
Erykah handed the dog over, and Chris studied the little guy, confirming he was indeed a boy.
“I think he’s one of those Tibetan terriers. Maybe you could name him Chewy or Bear.”
The look on her face said she wasn’t amused, and the pitiful whine that came from the dog said he sided with Erykah.
“Okay. I’m not usually bad at this.”
“Oh really? You named your ferret Kimble. That’s terrible.”
“But you got the reference.”
She laughed. “Fine. Maybe Chewbacca wouldn’t be so bad, but he doesn’t like the name.”
Just then, her phone chimed. She pulled it out and smiled. “I sent a pic of him to my sister. She says my niece likes Charlie as a name.”
The dog’s tail wagged with excitement.
Chris passed the pup back to Erykah. “Looks like he likes the name too.”
“Is that right?” she asked the pup softly. “Should I call you Charlie?”
He barked, and his tongue lolled out.
“I guess Charlie it is.”
“Let’s head inside and get Charlie some supplies.”
He had to remind himself that this outing was just between two friends. Still, he couldn’t deny the way his heart thumped in his chest every time she spoke to Charlie or smiled at his antics. Soon they were at the checkout with dog food, a collar, a leash, and other supplies.
“Hey, Chris. Didn’t think I’d see the day you came in here with a normal pet.” The salesclerk’s eyes twinkled as she scanned a squeaky toy.
He chuckled. “Norma, this is Erykah. Erykah, this is Norma. And Norma, that’s Charlie, Erykah’s pet.”
“Phooey. I thought you’d joined the domesticated world for a second.”
“Nope. I’m still hanging out with the wild ones for now.”
Norma looked at Erykah. “You need to convince this man to get a normal pet.”
“You don’t like Kimble?” Erykah threw a smirk his way.
“You’ve met the ferret?”
Erykah’s laugh floated around him and skittered goose bumps across his arms. Thank goodness no one could see under his fleece hoodie.
“I haven’t, but Chris has told me about him.”
“I suppose it’s a good thing he saved him, but that man goes home to an empty house. No pets, no people, nothing.”
Ouch, Norma. Way to twist the knife.
Only she wasn’t wrong. Chris didn’t have anyone to keep him company. He used to believe it was better that way, but lately, other thoughts were trying to creep into his mind. He wanted more, wanted someone. A person. Not the same type of woman he’d chosen in the past. No, he had to ensure he never made that foolish mistake again.
Was Erykah like her , or was she different? Erykah’s smile was different, seemingly genuine and pure kindness. The subtle honey scent of her perfume—or was it some type of body wash?—was enough to entice his senses but not overwhelm them.
Observation told him Erykah was different in other ways too, but Chris wouldn’t go past friendship until the idea felt right in his spirit. Being friends was a good move in his opinion. He could get to know her in a non-pressurized environment and discover her character and who she was as a person.
Despite telling his friends he’d jump back into the dating ring, Chris opted for extreme caution and was merely dipping a toe in the tepid waters.
Erykah peered up at him before returning her gaze to Norma. “I’ll make sure he does better.”
“Sounds like he finally found the right woman.”
The problem with well-meaning people was that they never knew when to be quiet. Chris said nothing, merely loaded the cart with the filled reusable bags.
“Have a good evening, Norma,” he said quietly.
“You too, hon. Come back again, Erykah. We’ll make sure that pup grows up strong.”
“Thank you.”
Chris pushed the cart outside. He unloaded the items while Erykah settled Charlie in the car.
“So how will this exchange work?” Erykah asked as Chris climbed into the driver’s side. “I just drive to your work on Monday and hand Charlie over?”
“Basically.” He thought for a moment. “If you don’t have time to feed him beforehand, I’ve got a bag of the same feed at the center. We’ll take care of him and make sure he stays out of trouble.” Cameron, Zach, and the others would enjoy having the little guy around.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
Chris glanced at Erykah. A chance to see her every day and see if she was as special as he hoped she was? “Positive.”
Relief relaxed the lines in the middle of her forehead until they disappeared completely. “Thank you so much, Chris.”
“Happy to help.”
By the time he pulled up to Erykah’s condo, Charlie had fallen asleep. “I’ll grab the bags.”
“You sure? I can grab some.”
“Nah. I’ve got them. Just get the little guy.” Besides, he could put some of the items in the kennel and then carry that and anything else into her place. He carried heavier items at the center than this.
Thankfully, her building had an elevator, which made moving everything from his car to her condo a lot easier. Erykah darted a nervous glance over her shoulder as she twisted the key into the lock. Was she worried about his thoughts on her place? Or worried the dog wouldn’t fare well?
Chris schooled his features. The least he could do was maintain a neutral expression instead of the one burning with curiosity at entering her domain.
She set Charlie down. The dog’s gaze roamed the halls, still looking a little sleepy.
Erykah had her place unlocked and door held wide open in seconds. “Come on, boy.” Charlie sniffed his way across the wood floors.
Chris took a step, then another as he examined his surroundings. The exposed red brick in her living room went all the way into the kitchen, giving off an industrial vibe. The neutral brown décor fit the modern look, along with the African American–style paintings hanging on the walls. Her taste ran a lot richer than his.
“Nice place.”
She smiled. “Thank you. It’s only one bedroom, but I don’t need much.”
“You don’t feel claustrophobic in here?” No office or anything? This place could only be about nine hundred square feet, though he had no idea how large the bedroom was.
“No. Why? Is your place big?”
“Yep.” He popped his lips.
“Really? For one person?” An amazed expression filled her face.
“I’ll show you one day.” Chris blew out a breath. Or maybe not. He wasn’t ready to show her his place or even ask her on a date. For now, he’d continue texting her, watch over Charlie while she worked, and see what happened from there.
He clapped his hands. “Well, I better let you get all settled.”
“Thanks again for your help.”
“No problem.” He headed out the door, not sure how else to make a charming exit. He pressed the down button next to the elevator and let out a sigh, going over the evening’s events in his head.
The fact that she’d asked him for help was a good thing, right? He wasn’t certain if he wanted her to be interested in him or have the same idea of strictly friendship. But he couldn’t deny the pleasure that hit his chest from knowing she’d asked him for assistance and no one else.
You do work with animals. You’re a no-brainer. Don’t jump for joy so soon.
Right. He needed to keep logic at the forefront so he wouldn’t cause any issues in getting to know her. His heart needed him to remain cautious.
His phone chimed, and he checked the text notifications.
Erykah
Charlie says thank you.
She sent a picture of the pup lying in his new bed and looking very pleased with his surroundings.
Chris
Tell him he’s welcome.
He grinned and put his Bronco in drive. Yeah, he was thankful they were friends.