Chapter 44
Mike rolled his chair back from the desk in his home office and rubbed his hands over his eyes. He glanced down at Buddy, who lay stretched across the rug, snoozing at his feet. “I need a break,” Mike said. “I’m not making any progress.”
Buddy cracked one eye open.
“Let’s go for a run. That might help me sort out my thoughts.”
The dog lifted his head as Mike stood and headed for the mudroom. Buddy scrambled to his feet and bounded after him, nails clicking on the hardwood.
Mike laced up his running shoes and drained a full thermos of water. When he clipped Buddy’s leash to his collar, the dog’s tail began thumping against the cabinet doors like a metronome set at allegro.
“Easy,” Mike said with a laugh. “First things first.” He led Buddy to his water bowl. Buddy knew the routine. Whenever those running shoes came out, it meant miles on the trail. He lowered his head and took a long drink.
“Hydration is important,” Mike said approvingly. They stepped outside into the mild California winter afternoon. Across the street, their neighbor stood trimming a hedge with careful precision. “That’s looking great, Ron,” Mike called. “Anyone would think you’ve got a live-in gardener.”
Ron straightened and grinned. “Since I retired, I guess that’s what I’ve become. I love puttering around in the yard every day.”
“You’ve got the best landscaping on the block,” Mike replied.
Buddy wagged politely at Ron before pulling gently toward the sidewalk.
“All right, all right,” Mike said. “Let’s go.” They turned left and began jogging. Buddy and Mike fell into an easy rhythm, their strides long and relaxed as they moved down the quiet residential street.
Mike’s thoughts, however, refused to settle. They circled back, again and again, to his dinner date the night before. He had met Tara through an online dating app. Their first coffee date had gone well enough. She was intelligent, articulate, independent, and interesting. Not to mention stunning.
Mike hadn’t felt an immediate spark, but he had told himself that these things took time. There was no such thing as love at first sight. Attraction could grow. Relationships needed space to develop. He had asked her out again, and she had said yes.
Mike and Buddy reached the end of the block and crossed the street toward the entrance to a hiking trail that wound through low, rolling hills behind the neighborhood. Buddy surged forward as soon as their feet hit the dirt path.
“Hey,” Mike said, shortening the leash. “Remember, you’re not a sled dog.”
Buddy glanced back with bright eyes but adjusted his pace.
They climbed the gentle incline, the trail narrowing as it wound between scrubby chaparral and low eucalyptus trees. Mike allowed the run to stretch his muscles. His thoughts shifted again.
Maybe he did believe in love at first sight. The mischievous glint in Lauren’s eyes when she had handed him those ridiculous flannel pajamas flashed into his mind. He shook the thought away and pushed harder up the hill.
Tara had been just as engaging at dinner as she had been at coffee. If he were working from a checklist of everything he wanted in a partner, she ticked every box. And yet, there was still no spark.
They crested the rise where the trail flattened before looping back toward the houses. Buddy slowed and looked up at him, tongue lolling happily.
Mike bent forward slightly, catching his breath. “Why am I not interested in her?” he muttered under his breath.
Buddy tilted his head.
Mike began pacing slowly along the trail, raking a hand through his hair. He wouldn’t waste Tara’s time. She deserved someone who felt excited about her.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Eric was calling. Mike took a deep breath. “Hey, bro,” he said. “Ready to set up that lunch date?”
“I wish,” Eric replied. “I’m still working eighty hours a week. We’ve got a new architect starting next month. That should help.”
“I’ll follow up with you after that to firm up plans,” Mike said. “I meant to call and apologize for running out on you on New Year’s Eve.”
Buddy’s head snapped up as he watched a squirrel dart across the trail.
“I adopted a dog right before Christmas,” Mike continued. “And he was busy destroying my house.”
“We figured it had to be some kind of emergency,” Eric said. “Actually, that’s why I’m calling.”
Mike began walking again. Buddy trotted beside him, scouring the brush for the squirrel.
“Mandy’s been all over my case,” Eric continued, “to ask you to come to dinner the Saturday after Valentine’s Day.”
Mike groaned inwardly.
“She’s still devastated that she didn’t introduce you to Lauren Simpson on New Year’s Eve,” Eric said. “This dinner will be her chance to fix that.”
“You really don’t have to do that,” Mike protested. “Besides, we’ve worked on a project together. I’ve talked to her on the phone. Just tell Mandy we already know each other.”
“That’s not going to cut it, and you know it. Don’t try to get out of it,” Eric said. “Mandy’s already invited Kathy and her husband, Jake, too. She says that’ll make it less awkward.”
Buddy stopped abruptly to investigate an especially interesting patch of grass. Mike waited patiently while his pup sniffed every inch.
“I’m telling you,” Eric continued, “Mandy and Kathy won’t rest until the two of you meet.”
Mike said nothing. He didn’t have plans that Saturday night. Or any other Saturday night in the foreseeable future.
“Do me a solid,” Eric said. “Just tell me you’ll come to dinner so we can get this over with.” He paused. “Unless you’ve already found someone new?”
Mike sighed. “Nope. Not yet.” He remembered the promise he had made to his mother, that he would keep trying. “I’m free that Saturday night,” he said. “Tell Mandy thank you for the invitation.”
“You’ve made my life so much easier. I’ll text her now. She’ll be thrilled.” Eric chuckled. “And who knows? Mandy and Kathy could be right. Maybe this Lauren Simpson is the one for you.”
Buddy finally caught the scent of the squirrel again and lunged forward. Mike laughed and broke into a run. “Well,” he said, tightening the leash as Buddy surged ahead, “I guess we’ll find out.”