Me Before Lou by Jess Torres

Author:Jess Torres [Jess Torres]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rendition Publishing, LLC
Published: 2024-02-25T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-One

“You’d better be on your best behavior, Lou.”

He tilts his head and lets his tongue loll as I threaten him. There’s no way he understands anything happening here, but I don’t think he cares either.

I didn’t even get the full offer to dogsit out of my mouth before Hannah was practically gushing her approval. She tried to convince me to keep him for the whole weekend, but I held firm on one unsanctioned outing because I’m pretty sure Steve would find it unusual, at the very least, that his ex-girlfriend is voluntarily carting his dog around on dates while he’s out of town.

I leash up Lou before letting him out of the front seat of my car. There are significantly more people at the pier than a typical Thursday night. My mom said something about the grand opening having a hosted bar, so I’m sure that’s drawn a whole crowd by itself. Of course, it could also be the local theater troupe, which is still peddling tickets for The Vagina Monologues. I consider buying a pair both to support the cause and to educate Grant in the female essence.

“Finally,” a voice says behind me. “Been here an hour and just now get to experience a work of art.”

“There will never be a day…” I begin, but my voice seems to vanish, flitting away on the air as I whirl around to find Fin. I know it’s him and I know he’s teasing me and laughter even buds in my chest, but surprise ultimately wins out. “What happened to you?”

His chin jerks, his brows pinch together, and he rubs his hands down the front of his coat. “What do you mean?”

“You—” But I catch myself because I think Fin got dressed up for this date.

He’s wearing a peacoat. It’s dark blue with crisp black buttons and a turned-up collar, and I get the striking impression he just walked off a ship that’s been sailing the Atlantic for a month. The look is both rugged and polished. Hungry and disenchanted. Wild and restrained.

And, apparently, I’m not the only one who likes it.

Fin squats for a nose-to-nose greeting from Lou, who’s way too enthusiastically playing the part of the loyal dog left home to stand guard until his sailor dad’s return.

“There is some truth to that pick-up line, though,” Fin says suddenly, scratching Lou’s chin once more before getting back to his feet. He slips a hand through his neatly coiffed hair, and I try not to stare.

“I’m not sure I follow.”

Fin grins. “Mona Lisa’s got nothing on Millie Lou.”

“Oh, get out! My middle name isn’t Lou.”

“Lisa isn’t her middle name either, but, come on, how else did this guy get his name?”

Fin rubs his knuckles between Lou’s eyebrows, and the dog slumps against his leg in dazed bliss. I swear Lou is nothing but trouble in a four-legged furry outfit.

When I don’t respond, Fin dips a hand inside his coat pocket and pulls out a square of fabric, bright red and folded up.

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