May had rapidly turned into June, Bryan’s favorite month of the year. There was something about the end of the rainy season and the warmer temperatures that made him look forward to this month every year. Granted, some years, summer was slow to come and didn’t arrive until July, but this year was perfect.
Bryan set the mop and bucket back in the closet, then parked himself on the nearest chair. Annika requested he stay put until she returned with Rusty, but the last couple times she’d been kind of slow getting back.
Too bad he couldn’t join her. He’d be happy to walk in the park with the pair. He’d heard from a couple of friends that they’d spotted his dog in the park with her. They said she seemed to really enjoy Rusty. He was glad. He wanted to do something nice for her considering all the stuff she’d had to deal with.
In spite of her past and her obviously conflicted feelings toward him, Annika was fun to be around now that she’d let her guard down with him. He still couldn’t figure out what caused the change, but he was glad for it.
He pulled out his smart phone and scrolled through texts, deleting all but one. Mandy, his ex-girlfriend, wanted to get together to talk. What was up with that? He hadn’t heard from her in many months and now out of nowhere she’d texted him. He hovered his thumb over delete as the door to the shop swung open.
“Stay, Rusty.” Annika slipped the leash handle around the doorknob and closed the door. “We’re back,” she called loudly.
“Right here.”
She jumped and yelped. “I didn’t see you.”
“I noticed.” He stuffed his phone into his pocket and stood. “How was your walk?”
“Nice. Rusty and I played in the park, then sat on the grass and watched the children play. He really likes kids.”
He crossed the room noting the flush in her cheeks. Beautiful. “My dog likes everyone. He wasn’t always like that. It took a long time to undo the damage his first owner did to him, but he’s learned to trust again.”
“I had no idea he came from an abusive situation.”
He shook his head. “I’m not exactly sure where he came from, but he was clearly not cared for properly. I’m just glad he was still a puppy when they gave him up, so he was still trainable.”
“He was probably too much work for his original owners.”
“I imagine so. He was a handful, but with lots of love and attention, Rusty has turned into the best dog a man could want.”
She grinned. “That’s why I like volunteering at the shelter. If not for it and places like it, animals like Rusty would never get that second chance.”
“Is that where the name Second Chance Animal Shelter came from?”
“Beats me, but it sounds about right.” She leaned against the wall blocking the exit.
A dried up weed or long piece of grass clung to her hair. He stepped closer to her, and reaching out his hand, he gently pulled it from her hair.
She grasped his hand, stilling it, her eyes questioning.
How did he tell her he was attracted to her, but knew there was no future for them, without coming across as a pompous moron? Mandy’s text was the reminder he needed to stay strong and not go there—yet he couldn’t help the draw he felt toward her. His arms ached to pull her close, and to breathe in deeply the vanilla scent of her hair, to nuzzle her neck—
“Bryan? Are you okay?”
He gently pulled his hand from her grasp. “Fine. Sorry about that. You had this in your hair.” He held up the grass. “I’ll toss it outside. Have a good one.” He strode past her and slid Rusty’s leash free. He had to get out of there before he followed through on his thoughts.
“Bye and thanks,” she called after him softly.
He lifted a hand without looking back because if he did he was liable to turn around and kiss her.
* * *
Annika stood at the window and watched Bryan hustle down the street with his dog. She shivered, wondering at what had just taken place between them. At least it felt like something.
She locked up then climbed the stairs to her apartment. There was no denying she liked Bryan, and unless she was mistaken, he liked her too and not just because she let his band use her shop.
She kicked off her tennis shoes and sprawled out on the couch. She missed Rusty already. It would sure be nice to have a pet to come home to. This place was too quiet and lonely. Maybe that was why she hadn’t minded the long hours in the shop, but the place was running smoothly now, especially since adding Open Mic Night. She had her help well trained and the schedule worked out, which left her time for a life.
But what did she want to do with her free time? She couldn’t hide out at the animal shelter every afternoon. Well, she could, but that wasn’t what she wanted, plus what happened if the shelter couldn’t raise the funds they needed and ended up closing? She’d be lonelier than ever. She needed a life outside of work and volunteering! She rolled off the couch and padded into the kitchen avoiding the stove, which still needed to be replaced, and instead reached into the fridge for a carton of peach Greek yogurt. She hopped onto the counter and studied her apartment. With a fresh coat of paint and new furniture, she could make this place her own. That’s how she’d spend her free time in the afternoons—making over her apartment—but she’d need some muscle to move out the old and bring in the new. Good thing she knew a strong man.