“Don’t,” she whispered, and he backed away.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just . . . I don’t know, in my head, I guess.”
He didn’t even know what that meant, but he’d give her some time to open up about what was on her mind. “Okay. Let’s go get something to eat. I’m starving.”
“Me, too.”
She took Agatha from him and walked inside. She was back out in a minute or so.
“She climbed right onto my dad’s lap. I think she loves him more than me.”
“That’s doubtful.”
“It’s okay. He’s outside a lot during the day, and she loves being with him. He keeps her calm so she’s not running amok, but she still gets to enjoy the outdoors.”
“That’s good for her. And the cast should be coming off soon enough so she’ll be able to do that running amok.”
“She’ll like that. I’m ready to go if you are.”
He didn’t take her hand like he wanted to, just walked alongside of her and opened the door to the truck, waiting while she climbed inside.
After he got in on his side, he turned to face her. “What are you hungry for?”
“Honestly? I’d love some Thai food.”
“Sounds great to me.”
They hit up one of their favorite restaurants in the city. Once they were seated, Erin ordered iced tea and Jason ordered a beer.
“Rough day?” she asked.
“Really rough day.”
“Tell me about it.”
He told her about losing Sweet Pea, how hard he tried to save her, despite the odds against the old dog.
She reached over and squeezed his hand. “I’m so sorry, Jason. That had to be so hard.”
He shrugged. “It’s not like it’s the first time I lost an animal. It happens in my line of work. Animals get sick, they get old, they get injured, and sometimes they don’t make it. It’s part of my job.”
“But this one seems to have hit you pretty hard. Why do you think that is?”
“I guess because I remember Sweet Pea from my internship. She was always bright and energetic and so sweet. And her humans adored her.”
“It’s probably hard on them, too.”
“Yeah, telling them wasn’t easy.” He took another long swallow of beer. “It just sucked, Erin.”
“You did everything you could for her.”
“This one hurts.”
“I know it does, babe. I’m sorry.” She rubbed her hand over his. She didn’t tell him to blow it off or tuck his feelings inside or some bullshit about how tomorrow it would be better. And that actually did make him feel better.
He finished his beer, then they ordered dinner.
“Tell me about your day,” he said, needing the distraction.
“Well.” She took a sip of her iced tea. “I found out Owen texted Honor, too, to ask about me.”
“Wait.” He frowned, trying to catch up to what she just said. “Owen texted Honor. Not you.”
“Yes.”
“What the fuck is he doing?”
She shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“Why doesn’t he just call you?”
“Again. No idea.”
He could tell from the way she tapped her fingernails on the table that she was irritated. He couldn’t blame her. “Okay, I take that back. I know why he isn’t calling you. He knows you won’t pick up. But I don’t get the texting of other people like Honor and me. What’s the purpose of that? Does he think either of us is going to fill him in on your emotional state?”
“I don’t have an explanation for anything Owen does. Not anymore. I’m not sure I ever knew him.”
Now it was his turn to offer up some sympathy. “I’m sorry, Erin.”
“It is what it is. And to top it off, I was reminded that he’s a groomsman in an upcoming wedding at the vineyard.”
“Oh, shit, that’s right. Ryan Phillips’s wedding. I forgot all about that.”
“So did I until Honor brought it up at our meeting on Monday.”
He couldn’t imagine what Erin’s reaction to that had been, but he’d bet she’d been damned unhappy about it. “What are you going to do?”
Their server brought their plates, asked them if they needed refills on their drinks, then left.
Erin stared at her plate, then lifted her gaze to Jason. “I’m going to do my job, like always.”
His lips lifted in a slight smile. “You sure a trip to Tahiti isn’t warranted?”
“I’m not running.”
“I was only kidding. Kind of.”
She stabbed her fork into her shrimp curry. “I’m going to have to see him eventually. Which doesn’t mean I have to interact with him.”
He dug into his chicken satay, chewing thoughtfully as he tried to figure out a way to help Erin. After he took a swallow of beer he said, “Maybe you should talk to Owen before the wedding, then things won’t be awkward. You know, break the ice, talk things out, close that chapter or whatever you have to do to end your relationship officially?”
She shot him a glare. “My relationship with Owen ended the day he sent that e-mail breaking up with me. I don’t know that there’s anything left between us to say.”
A smart guy would just shut up and leave things alone. Obviously, Jason wasn’t smart, because he cared about Erin and in this she wasn’t seeing clearly. “Come on, Erin, you know you’ll never be able to get past this until you talk to Owen. That’s why you’re putting this distance between you and me, isn’t it?”
She opened her mouth to say something, then closed it, focusing on her food instead. Deciding that he’d said enough for the moment, he did the same. Mouth shut, except to eat.
They ate their meals in silence. A tense silence that he’d caused.
Way to go, dumbass.
Maybe he should learn to keep his opinions to himself. Maybe Erin wouldn’t be in such a mood.
She pushed her plate to the side and looked up at him. He braced himself for verbal fire.
“You’re right, of course. I know you are. But I just can’t bring myself to initiate a conversation with him, especially since he hasn’t contacted me since he’s been back. Shouldn’t he be the one to get in touch with me?”
“Yeah, he should. I don’t have a clue why he hasn’t. I think he’s being a dick about this, Erin. He’s my best friend and I’d like to kick his ass all the way down a gravel road.”
Her lips curved. “That does make me feel better. And bad at the same time. I’m sorry you feel like you’re in the middle between us.”
“I don’t feel that way at all. I haven’t even talked to him since before he ran off.”
“And I feel responsible for that.”
He signaled for their server, who came over. “Can I get the check, please?”
Their server brought the check and some mints. Erin popped one in her mouth and he took the other. Once he paid the bill, they got up and went outside. It was brutally hot and humid, with some dark clouds gathering.
“It could storm,” Erin said.