Out on the front lawn, I watched Maddie finally break away from Mick. She came over to where we were seated, Mick dutifully at her side.
“Mom?” she asked. “Can I take the puppy into the backyard?”
“Why, Mads?”
“There’s more room.”
“Well, I don’t know if Mick’s doggy daddy would be OK with that.”
Valentino shrugged. “It’d be fine with me.”
I glanced toward the front door, hoping that Britt would make her long-awaited entrance. I was having a great time talking to Valentino—toogreat, really. I needed to get away from him before the conversation went on too long and I found myself wrapped up in the magic that had gotten us into bed in the first place.
“Why don’t we let our new neighbor get back home,” I said. “Plus, we’re going to go to the dog park and get some pizza after, remember?”
Mads looked disappointed. Then her eyes lit up. “The puppy can come! And him!” She raised a tiny finger toward Valentino.
My heart skipped a beat. If Valentino were to come with us to dinner, it was very easy to imagine how the rest of the night could unfold. As arousing as it was to think of, I knew it was a terrible idea.
Fortunately, Valentino let me off the hook. “As much as I’d love to get pizza and see the dogs with you, I bet your mom’s really tired from the day and wants to relax without me hanging around.”
“Aw…” Maddie wasn’t happy about this one bit.
“But” Valentino continued, “If it’s alright with your mom, maybe you and Mick can play together again really soon? Maybe after you’re all moved in and gotten settled?” He glanced over at me.
“Sure,” I said. “Dr. V’s our neighbor now, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of each other. Now, why don’t you say goodbye to Mick, OK?”
“OK.” Maddie marched down the stairs. “Bye Mick. I love you.” She reached forward, throwing her arms around the pup and giving him a quick hug. Mick didn’t seem to mind at all.
Valentino and I laughed.
“Sorry,” I said. “She’s, uh, not shy about how she feels when it comes to dogs.”
“It’s perfectly fine with me. I don’t give the boy the love he needs, what with being out of town all the damn time.”
He threw back the last of his wine, handing the glass over to me before getting up. I rose and faced him.
God, it was so hard looking into those dark eyes. Not only were they eyes that had swept me off my feet all those years ago, but they were also the same eyes as my daughter—ourdaughter. It was so damn surreal that I could hardly think straight.
“It was good to see you again, Piper,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing one another around quite a bit.”
I swallowed hard. “Yep. That’s the thing about being neighbors, I suppose.”
He smiled before breaking away and heading down the stairs. “And very nice to meet you too, Maddie.”
“Bye, Dr. V!” she waved, Valentino waving back.
“Come on now, Mick.” He nodded his head toward his house and that was all it took for his dog to obey. Mick immediately trotted over to his side. “And I mean it about helping!” he called out over his shoulder. “You need anything, you let me know.”
“I will. Thanks!”
He crossed my lawn and stepped over to his, as my eyes locked onto his perfect ass. I still couldn’t get over how the man was even better looking than he had been before.
“Mommy,” Maddie said, stepping up the stairs. “I’m hungry.”
“Then let’s go get some pizza. You want to do the dog park before or after?”
“Dogs first!” she said, her eyes lighting up.
