Page 12 of Wine & Dine

6

Confessions of a sort

[Dolores]

Garrett drives us back to the condo building but hardly speaks. His initial reaction to my appearance was shocking but sweet. His eyes wouldn’t pull away from my hair, and I worried he really did hate it although he said otherwise.

You look stunning.

No one has ever said that to me.

Then I reconsider his opinion. What do I care if he likes my hair? Yet I couldn’t stop running my fingers through the smooth texture or curl the ends around my index. It felt different along with appearing different. I never considered allowing the white to show, but the beautician convinced me I could wear it. Own it.

You have a young face, and silver is all the rage. She even convinced me the streaks of black won’t make me look like Elvira but enhance the edgy style. I like it.

When we pull into the garage, Garrett removes my bags from his trunk and then carries them up to Denton’s place. As I turn the key in the door, he finally speaks, blurting out his request.

“Take a walk with me.”

I’m too startled to think, so I stare at him for a long moment.

“I need to take Wally for a walk.” He clears his throat. “Come with us.”

Ah, the dog. “Sure,” I say. “Just let me put these things away.”

“No problem. I want to change. I’ll meet you out back in ten.” Wearing his power suit from this morning, he still looks just as handsome as he did hours ago. I wonder if he even expels any stress running his investment company. By three o’clock at the diner, I’m a sweaty mess and exhausted.

After closing the door, I take off my new booties and find my flip-flops since the day has heated up a bit. My long-sleeved shirt accommodates the coolness of the store, but with the afternoon warmth, I search for a regular T-shirt in my new wardrobe. I bought three of the same style in different colors. I tried to keep things within a strict budget and not splurge too much so I could pay Denton back when I return home.

The thought of going home doesn’t settle well with me, but I’ll have to return someday. Soon-ish.

For the time being, I have a few new clothes, and it really does make me feel better about being here—and about myself. The personal shopper told me nothing baggy.

You still have it all tight, lady, she teased. Form-fitting was made for your body.

I stroke a hand over my hip-hugging jeans and smooth down the casual T-shirt in solid white. I take one hesitant look at myself in the mirror in Denton’s guest room and then head to the back entrance of the condo building where I find Garrett and Wally waiting for me.

Wally goes crazy upon seeing me, jumping up like he wants a hug. Thankfully, Garrett intercepts him before he gets his dirty little paws on my fresh new tee.

“Wally,” Garrett admonishes, and then sheepishly adds, “I think he likes you.”

“I bet he likes all the girls,” I tease, reaching out hesitantly for the back of the slobbery canine’s ears. I don’t really like to touch animals, but there’s something about the way Wally looks at me—almost begging me to scratch him—that I can’t resist.

“Who’s a sweet dog?” I say in my best false-impression of a dog lover. “Are you a sweet dog?”

Wally’s tail wags so fiercely his whole backside wiggles.

“You’re a pain in the ass, aren’t you?” I’m still using the whiny tone as I insult him, and he continues to wag away. His owner laughs.

“Let’s walk.” Garret whistles and throws a tennis ball from a plastic stick out toward the water. Wally races after it, and we begin our stroll. Dutifully, Wally returns the ball, dropping it at his feet, and then looks up as if begging Garrett to toss it again.

“Did you have a good day?” It feels odd to ask him but also strangely appropriate. I don’t know what else to say.

He shrugs, staring off after Wally. “The usual.”

Earlier, he seemed excited to tell me about his company. Fox Investors. It sounds important, buying and selling and producing, but I don’t really have the business mindset for products. I’m more into service, food service. Still, he didn’t mention details, and I fully expected him to start bragging about all he’s bought and sold and produced.

We continue in silence until Wally drops the gnawed ball before me.