Her eyes widened, and then she broke into a huge grin. “I’d like that! I’m not great at traditional dancing, where I have to follow somebody, but I love line dancing.”
“Good. It’s a date, then.” He looked up and noticed the blush that had given her face a rosy glow. “Let’s clean up these dishes and take Maverick to the park.”
***
A date. Rob had asked her out. What did it mean? Was he just being nice, or did he really want to go out with her? Gosh, this stuff always confused her. Maybe she ought to ask Tess, her brother’s fiancée. She and Nick got together last year and had become engaged last spring.
MJ needed to get a hold of herself. He probably meant nothing by it. “It’s a date” was just an expression, right? They’d spend a lot of time together as she learned how to handle Maverick, so maybe he thought they ought to have a change of pace now and then.
She put on yoga pants, a sweatshirt, and her sneakers. They’d be working out at the park, so she ought to wear clothes she could move in. What she needed to do was stop overreacting to Rob’s invitation. Crap, what if he felt sorry for her because she didn’t date? The last thing she wanted was a pity date. Ugh. How did her life get so complicated?
“I’m ready,” she announced as she came into the living room to find Rob in front of her television, roaming the channels.
“I was checking out baseball games. Looks like the Yankees are playing the Pittsburgh Pirates.”
She made a face.
“What, you don’t like the Yankees?”
“I’m not a big baseball fan, but when I root for a team, it’s usually the underdog. Like the Cubs. Would you rather watch than go work out with Maverick?”
“Nope. I think this is much more important. I need to stop by my apartment and change, though.”
He hooked on Maverick’s leash and gestured for the dog to lead the way, and he and MJ followed side by side out of the house, and over to the truck. He gestured the dog into the backseat, and came around to open the passenger door, helping MJ up into the high seat.
“Thanks. I’m not exactly used to somebody opening doors for me.”
“That’s too bad. While I’m here, plan on me doing it. It’s a small thing, but it’s a sign of respect.”
Hmm. Rob really was unique. A gentleman. Not at all what she was used to. But, boy, she’d love to get used to it.
When they reached his apartment, she slid down from the passenger seat as he let Maverick out.
“Why don’t you and Maverick go into the backyard and play while I change into workout clothes?”
“Okay, that sounds like a plan,” she agreed, smiling up at him.
“Ball or frisbee?” He pulled both out of the backseat.
She eyed the slobber glistening on the ball. “I think the frisbee.” He handed it to her and she held it in front of Maverick and led him into the fenced backyard, while Rob went up the stairs to his apartment.
“C’mon, boy.” She threw the frisbee toward the back fence and was astounded by how quickly Maverick ran after the disc and leaped high into the air before it turned back. He trotted over to her, and she reached for it. He started a game of tug-of-war with it, until she remembered to tell him to drop it. What was the phrase? “Maverick, buttala!”
The dog immediately dropped the frisbee and wagged his tail, waiting for her to throw it again. She launched it as hard as she could and again marveled at how quickly he ran and leaped after it.
“That’s quite a jump,” said a male voice, making her startle and jump, too.
She turned and her eyes widened at the man. “Derrick! What are you doing here?” Her brother’s buddy from high school stood in front of her.
“I live here, MJ. I moved back to Ridgeview a few months ago, and I live in the lower unit.”
He leaned in and gave her a hug, but they both jumped back when they heard Maverick’s warning growl.
“Oh, sorry,” she told Derrick. “Va bene,” she told Maverick, and he sat next to her leg, eyeing Derrick suspiciously.
“Is he your dog?” Derrick asked.
“Well, sort of. He was a canine warrior in the Marines with Trevor Baird. When he was killed in action, I sort of inherited him. Trevor’s buddy, Rob Michelini, brought him here and is teaching me how to handle him.”
Derrick winked at her. “I guess I’d better keep in mind that you’ve got a canine protector.”
She’d forgotten how flirtatious Derrick had been. He hadn’t turned the charm on her before. Her brother Nick had kept all his friends from making a move on her. Not that Derrick would have. She felt herself blush at the idea.
She turned as she heard the door to Rob’s apartment close and watched him scowl at his neighbor. Uh oh. She didn’t need two warriors protecting her from Derrick Marsden.
“Hi, Rob. I just found out that your downstairs neighbor is a friend of my brother’s from high school. Rob, this is Derrick Marsden. Derrick, this is Rob Michelini. He’s already met Maverick.”
Rob’s scowl didn’t change. “I saw that. I’m glad Maverick didn’t attack you,” he told Derrick.
MJ wasn’t sure he was glad. Somehow, the testosterone leaping back and forth between the two men made her want to roll her eyes. She’d seen this sort of posturing with Nick and his friends, and thought it was absurd when men behaved this way, especially around women.
“Well, it was good seeing you, MJ. Tell your brother I’ll call him one of these
