The Leap Year Proposal: A BRAND NEW heartwarming rom com for 2025 by Susan Buchanan

Author:Susan Buchanan [Buchanan, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susan Buchanan
Published: 2025-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Jess

Monday 10 February

Jess bounced along the street, lead in hand, ready to pick up Baxter, Nathan’s Golden Retriever puppy. Baxter was adorable. Yes, Jess was biased, she thought all dogs were adorable, but Baxter was such fun. She’d always loved big dogs and Baxter was a big dog. Well, big puppy, since he was only just over a year old.

In the past few weeks, Jess had spent quite a bit of time with Nathan. Nothing untoward – a latte in the gym café, or a drink at the juice bar. Sometimes it was just Nathan, sometimes other gym-goers joined them. She’d even gone to the pub on Friday. Then there were the dog walks. As he’d walked back with her to drop off Betsy Boo, Teddy and Bella the day Bella had bolted, Nathan had told her he’d been looking for someone to walk his dog since his last dog walker moved out of the area the previous month. He’d had a woman lined up but then she’d broken her ankle, so he was still between dog walkers and now he hoped he’d found one. Jess.

Jess had laughed and asked why he’d want her to walk his dog when he’d caught her at her worst, having lost one, even if it wasn’t exactly her fault. She’d told him about the young boy who’d hit her with the skateboard, sending her flying, and assured him that usually she had no problem keeping dogs under control. She’d also told him of her one dog at a time rule, and how she’d really regretted allowing herself to be in the position of handling three dogs that day.

Nathan was a nice guy, good company and he made her laugh and he certainly dedicated plenty of time to her – something Mark hadn’t been doing for a while. She enjoyed talking with him and he listened, really listened. Apart from Kelsea, who was interested in everything, and Ellie and Anouska, it had been a long time since anyone had paid that much attention to what she said. They were simply a guy and a girl enjoying each other’s company.

Her phone rang, breaking into her thoughts. Ellie.

‘Hi, Ellie, how are you?’

‘Still a bit dazed, to be honest, but I’m back to work today. Just thought I’d give you a call between meetings. It’s tea break.’

‘Ah. On a completely unrelated matter, have you heard anything about your interview yet?’

‘Funnily enough, no, but someone else in the department has gone for the job, and they’ve been given an interview date of early March.’

‘Well, that’s good. It means you’ll get your date in soon too.’

‘I guess so.’

Ellie sounded so flat, Jess couldn’t help herself. ‘What’s up? You don’t sound remotely enthused at the prospect.’

Ellie sighed. ‘It’s just…when I stayed over with Chloe last week, I realised how much I’ll miss them all if I move to Manchester. I’ll miss seeing Rosie grow up. She’s already changing so much every day.’

‘Hmm. Yeah, that is definitely a consideration, but I’m sure Chloe and Rosie would come to visit you.

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