New York. I came here because after my divorce, my ex made it impossible for me to stay. I was happy where I was.”
Had she been? After Ben had been killed, she’d closed herself off to anything but doing her job and rising up the ranks. Ambition had been far easier than self-reflection. It still was, but Zep was forcing her to think. Or maybe it was all about her current situation with her family.
“You’re going to leave?”
“The plan was always that I would come here for a couple of years, and when the right position opened, I would take it. Armie has contacts in New Orleans.”
“You should talk to my brother, too. He knows a bunch of people in Dallas.” Someone honked behind them and he looked up, cursing softly under his breath as he realized the light had gone green. “Sorry. I need to pay more attention. But if you’re interested in living in Dallas, Remy could help you.”
She put a hand on his arm. “It’s not about you. It’s about my career. This is what I’ve always wanted. Most of my friends wanted to be models or doctors. I know. I had an eclectic group of friends. I wanted to be a cop like my granddad.”
But hadn’t she moved into a career that resembled her father’s more than her granddad’s?
“I understand that your career is important.” He turned down her street. “I’ll go back to my place and let you alone. If you need me again, give me a call.”
“I thought you were staying with me for the week.” A bit of panic welled inside her and she realized how much she’d been counting on having this time with him. She wanted to be around him even though she knew it would end when her family left. “I still don’t know how to take care of Daisy.”
“Sure you do,” he said, weariness in his tone. “You take her on a couple of walks. Feed her. Pet her. She’ll be fine. If you get in trouble, you can call me.”
She wanted to argue with him, but how could she? She’d put him in this position, and she couldn’t give him what he wanted. “All right.”
“After we get some sleep, I’ll come by and pick you up for dinner. We’re supposed to meet your parents out at the B and B.”
They’d made the arrangements the night before. Since it was her day off, she was supposed to call her mother when she got up. She would have to text and let her know it would be later in the afternoon. “You would still go? I can make something up.”
“I’m not going back on my word. I’m going to be wherever you need me to be, but I need some sleep and I can’t do it on your couch. Maybe I’ll feel better if I can get some rest.”
He was so tired. She could see it in every move he made. He was tired because he’d spent every minute of the last two days taking care of her. No one had taken care of him.
“I don’t think you should drive,” she said quietly.
“It’s not far.”
“Please stay.”
His mouth tightened and he turned into her driveway. “All right. If that’s what you need, I’ll stay.”
He parked the car and was quiet as they walked inside. He let Daisy out of her crate and the puppy went a little crazy, but he was patient.
She watched him, truly watched him. She saw how patient he was as he dealt with the dog. He even knocked on Darlene’s back door and talked to her for a few moments. Her neighbor smiled at him and then she was letting Daisy into her house.
“I got a dog sitter for a couple of hours,” he said as he walked in. “She’s been in that crate for way too long. Darlene’s got a dog. It’s good for Daisy to get socialized.”
Darlene’s golden retriever was a sweet-natured dog. She would be as patient with Daisy as Zep had been with her.
Maybe it was time she showed some patience and kindness, too. “Thank you. Do you want some food or do you want to go to bed?”
“I’m beat. I don’t think I can stay awake to eat,” he admitted.
She didn’t want anything but rest either, and she wanted to rest with him. She couldn’t promise him more, but she needed him to understand she didn’t think he was a joke.
“Can I get a pillow?” He looked down at the couch.