JULES
It’s been a week since I showed up at the airfield and even though he’s an absolute dog I still can’t stop thinking about him. And his body. And the sex. Oh, my god, the sex. I still have no idea what I was thinking getting together with him in the first place. The old me would never have done anything like that. But I guess the old me would have missed out on a good time and headed into the new year as alone and oblivious as ever. It’s definitely a bummer that he’s a man-whore, but if I am being honest with myself, I really don’t regret a second of our time together.
Thank god for risky New Year’s resolutions and good friends. I have to admit I am glad Evan and Jules warned me off Ben, now if I could only get him out of my head. I click away from the Butler Airfield website and close my laptop. I could call… No. I have to stop this. I am not doing myself any favors getting wrapped up in the next Mr. Wrong.
The alarm on my cell phone dings. I plaster a smile on my face and smooth my sweater over my skirt as I stand to face the room full of kindergarteners. “Ok class! Who can raise their hand and tell me what time it is?”
* * *
BEN
I’m parked on the street across from Langfield Elementary watching the kids play at recess. It occurs to me that not only am I acting like an actual stalker, but sitting outside a schoolyard makes me a bit of a creeper too.
It’s lunchtime, and the kids come out to play in waves. I am about to leave when I see her. She’s wearing a long red plaid skirt with black boots and a black coat, with a white scarf around her neck. She’s talking to another woman while the kids run around in their parkas like overstuffed munchkins.
My mouth goes dry at the sight of her. What the hell’s come over me? I clutch the flowers in my lap. She mentioned that she liked daisies… “What do you think, Swoop? Should I…?”
I turn to look at my dog and he’s gone out the window. I hop out of the cab and catch a flash of black racing across the schoolyard, on a bee-line for Jules.
I run after him. “Swoop!”
* * *
JULES
Angie, the choir instructor, stops talking and points across the field. “What the heck is that? Oh, my god!”
I glance in the direction she is pointing and see a giant black dog racing toward us. The sense of déjà vu makes me pause a moment before I’m able to tell her I know the dog.
“Swooper! Come here, boy!” I crouch down and brace myself for impact, but Swooper slows when gets close to me and waggles his entire body as he licks my face.
“Swoop! Stop! Come!” Ben’s shouts reach me from all the way across the field. He’s running all out, trying to catch up with Swoop.
“I’ve got him, it’s okay!” I shout.
Ben slows to a jog and finally arrives next to me and Angie. He’s holding what looks like the tattered remains of a bouquet of flowers—daisies. He’s got little white petals in his hair and there’s a path of scattered flower stems and white daisy heads marking his path to me.
I can’t help but smile. Angie takes one look at me, gives me wide eyes, and slips away.
“Hi,” I say, trying not to sound shy.
Ben runs his hand through his hair and daisy petals rain down. “Hi.” He’s breathing heavy. I offer him some water from my bottle and he takes a swig. “Thanks.”
“What are you doing here?” I say, looking around at my kiddos, making sure everyone’s okay. Angie has taken over watch for me and waves me off.
He looks down at Swoop. “I, um. I wanted to call. But…”
I shake my head. “No. It’s better that you didn’t, actually. I don’t know what I was doing when we… um… that wasn’t me.”
He smiles his wolfish smile and arches an eyebrow at me. “It certainly looked like you.”
I blow out my breath and shake my head. This really is a game to him. Did he come here for another hookup? Is that all I am? A piece of ass? I clench my jaw and my fists and force myself to be assertive. It’s never been a strength of mine, but the old Jules is gone and this new one won’t be toyed with.
“Did you come here looking to…” I glance around to make sure little ears won’t overhear. “Did you come here for another quick fuck? At my school?” I can feel the blood rising in my cheeks. “Cassie was right about you. You’re a dog. No, you’re worse than a dog… you’re a hound.” I hiss the words at him and surprise myself.
He looks stunned. “What? No. I…” Then his shoulders drop and he looks injured. “You spoke to Cassie.” He nods. “It’s okay. I get it. I shouldn’t have come. I am sorry Swoop ran after you again. I should have closed his window when I parked.” He looks at the flowers in his hand and lets his arms fall to his sides as he walks away. “I was hoping to talk. I just… I wanted… I don’t know. Forget I was here.”
* * *
BEN
Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. Fuck! I slam the door to my truck and start the engine, unsure what to do. I want to be angry at Evan and at Cassie but honestly; they were looking out for their friend. If Jules were my sister, I would totally warn her away from a guy like me.
I want to be angry at Jules. How can she have spent the afternoon with me like that and think I’m just out to get laid? Then I laugh at my stupidity. What is she supposed to think when less than an hour after our first meeting we’re having hot sex on the lovesac?
I want to be angry at Swoop for making me run to her like that when I wasn’t ready. I should have planned this better. I should have… “Damn it!” I slam my hand on the steering wheel and blow out my breath.
The only one I should be angry at is myself. I am the reason she’s been warned off. My past is as messy and flaky as any sleazy player. Jules doesn’t owe me a thing. I should apologize for making her feel like another notch on my belt.