“Why am I not surprised?”

“Probably because I’m not a soccer mom lugging around five kids and all their stuff,” I respond, and he grins. My belly does an odd dip at the sight of it. I tug my eyes off his and continue walking, asking, “Why do you need an SUV anyway?”

“Because I’d look fucking stupid getting into a MINI Cooper.”

“True.” I laugh because he absolutely would look stupid trying to fit his big frame into my tiny car. “There are other options.”

“I don’t need a new car,” he assures, as we stop so I can clean up after PJ.

Taking the bag over to the trash, I dump it inside, then use my hand sanitizer.

“What?” I ask when I find Dayton studying my fanny pack.

“What else do you have in there?”

“Just the necessities.” I hold open the zipper and shuffle through the contents as we walk. “My keys, mace, treats, hand sanitizer, a couple of dollars, my phone, lip gloss. Oh! And a candy bar.” I pull it out with a smile. “I forgot I bought this the other day.” I listen to him laugh softly as we head out of the park and start down the block back toward our building.

When the door to my apartment comes into view, I start to feel sick from the butterflies that are beginning to fill my stomach at a rapid pace. It’s been a long time since I’ve been curious about a man and even longer since I’ve been attracted to one, so I’m a ball of nerves as I unlock my apartment door and unhook PJ from his leash so he can go inside.

“Do you want to come in?” I tip my head back to look up at him, and his gaze roams over my face.

“I’m not sure that’d be smart, Franny.” He reaches his hand up between us, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “I think you know that I’m attracted to you.” His expression gentles and fills with what looks a lot like disappointment. “But I can’t offer you anything more than a couple of orgasms, and you deserve more than that.”

His unashamed honesty must spark my own.

“I’m not looking for a relationship.” The truth tumbles out of my mouth before I have a chance to overthink it or be embarrassed. “I don’t even know who I am. I was married for five years and with that same man for years before that. During that time, I gave up a lot of myself. Right now, I’m just trying to figure out how I want my life to look and… what makes me happy,” I whisper the last part when I realize that I’m making a fool of myself.