“I have a friend. She can’t show up at somebody’s house without bringing cookies or brownies or cake. It’s physically impossible for her to walk in empty-handed. Or if she’s with this guy.” He rested his hand on Charlie’s back. “She’ll play with him for hours. Charlie doesn’t have a favorite toy so first she has to figure out which one he’s in the mood for, then game on.”
He looked at Julie. “It’s her I’d miss. Who she is. Not the stuff we do.”
Julie drew in a couple of breaths. “You’re saying I miss what Keith represents. The steady guy. Being in a relationship. But that I don’t miss who he is.”
“It’s just a guess, based on what you’ve said about him. For what it’s worth, he’s an asshole.”
For the first time since showing up for the trip, Julie smiled. “I know. The new girlfriend is twenty years younger than him. What’s up with that?” The smile faded. “I wanted to come on this campout just to prove something. I didn’t expect to get good advice. Thank you. I’m going to think about what you said.”
“He’s not the only one. There are plenty of good guys out there. You have to start looking, though.”
Julie nodded. “You’re really easy to talk to. You know a lot about women.”
Aidan grinned. “It’s kind of a new thing for me, but I’m enjoying it.”
* * *
SHELBY FOUND HERSELF oddly nervous as she waited for Aidan to get home from his camping trip. He’d called from the office—just to say he was back—and she’d invited him to stop by on his way back to his place. Now, as she paced the length of her living room, she fought against that weird fluttering in her stomach and a growing sense of anticipation.
She’d missed her friend, she told herself. And Charlie, of course. Because she loved that silly little dog. The way he waved his paws impatiently when she wasn’t quick enough with a treat or the toy du jour. How he liked to stretch out on the back of the sofa, like a cat.
That was it, she told herself. She’d missed Charlie. And Aidan, but mostly the dog.
She heard the truck pull into her driveway and hurried out to greet her guys. Charlie had his head out the window and barked a greeting. She opened the door on his side and he jumped into her arms. He was nearly twenty pounds, so she staggered for a second, then hugged him close.
“Hey, you,” she murmured, stroking his soft fur. “How was the camping trip?”
Aidan stepped out and circled the truck. “We had a good time. Charlie was a hit with everyone. They all snuck him food, so we’re going to have to do extra walks for the next couple of days. The campers were great. How are you doing?”
He looked good, she thought absently. Unshaved. Tousled. Sexy. He had on an open long-sleeved shirt over a T-shirt, jeans and hiking boots. Nothing that should have gotten her heart to beating fast and yet she found herself all quivery.
“Shelby?”
“Huh?”
He smiled. “You okay?”
She nodded. “I missed you.”
He put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I missed you, too. You should have come with me.”
They walked toward her place. Charlie led the way, then darted inside.
“Next time,” she said. “I have remodeling to monitor. I’m sure I’m making my contractor crazy, but he’ll just have to deal.”
“They making progress?”
“Every day.”
They walked into her house. Charlie had already found the bowl of fresh water she’d put out for him. She opened the kitchen slider so he could go outside.