The Boyfriend Project Read online

  “I can’t believe she said yes so easily,” Jeremy said while I sprinkled a few chew toys around my room.

  “He’s going to win her over,” I assured him.

  When we got downstairs, Mom was tossing little chunks of meat that were supposed to go in the stroganoff to Bogart.

  Yeah, everything was going to be fine. “So what can we do?” I asked.

  “Why don’t you make a salad? Jeremy, would you mind setting the table?”

  He ate more meals with us than he did with his own parents. Mom had stopped treating him like a guest months ago. He knew his way around the kitchen and gathered up the plates while I got everything I needed out of the fridge.

  I set it all on the counter, began slicing tomatoes, and tried to be as nonchalant as possible, although my heart was hammering as I considered my mom’s earlier words. “So are you really thinking about dating?”

  “Thinking about it.” Mom laughed. “Then I start to get nervous. It’s been twenty years since I dated your dad. I’m not even sure if I know how to do it anymore.”

  “It’s probably like riding a bike, Mrs. J,” Jeremy said as he came back in.

  Mom smiled at him. “Probably. Guess I just need to take the plunge.”

  I tried to imagine my mom dating, having a guy in her life. So much would change and yet I didn’t want her to be alone or lonely, either.

  After dinner, Jeremy and I took Bogart for a walk along the running trail that snaked through my neighborhood. I didn’t think I’d ever seen Bogart so happy as he scouted out the terrain. His limp was less pronounced. Maybe all he needed was to feel loved again. He had to be missing his original owner. I knew what it was to miss someone.

  “I can’t believe my mom is thinking about dating.”

  “It’s been five years,” Jeremy said.

  I scowled, and he immediately looked contrite. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m sure you’re more aware of how much time has passed than I am.”

  My father had been involved in a freak car accident, driving beneath an overpass that was being repaired when it suddenly buckled—

  I shook off the unsettling thoughts. I hated thinking about the randomness of it.

  “I wish you’d known him,” I said.

  “Me too.”

  “He would have approved of us adopting Bogart. And your idea to put a big red bow on him was brilliant. How could my mom reject him after that? It softened her up.”

  “I think Bogart did that all on his own. I guess tonight you just want to hang around with him.”

  Looking over at Jeremy, I took his hand. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

  “Seems wrong to abandon him after just breaking him out of the joint.”

  I laughed. “The shelter isn’t exactly prison.”

  He slipped his arm around me, guided me off the path into a little clearing edged by trees. “I like it when you laugh. You look so sad at the shelter.”

  “I just wish I could rescue them all.”

  “I know. You have such a big heart. It’s one of the things I love about you.”

  He lowered his lips to mine. One of the things I loved about Jeremy was his kiss. He always took his time and tasted of peppermint. I knew he carried a little stash in his pocket. He wanted to be ready for a kiss anytime, anywhere. So considerate, so—

  “Get a room already,” a deep voice bellowed.

  Guiltily, we jumped apart. Avery and Fletcher were standing there, both of them grinning like lunatics as Fargo wriggled on the ground between them. I glared at Fletcher. “Not funny.”

  “I thought it was hilarious,” Fletcher said. “It was like you thought you were doing something wrong.”

  “Maybe that’s because you sounded like the PDA police.”

  “He’s just practicing his baritone,” Avery said, “for when he does become a cop.”

  “We didn’t appreciate the interruption,” Jeremy said.

  Fletcher shrugged, not looking at all sorry.

  I felt a tug on the leash. Bogart was inspecting Fargo’s butt, Fargo was inspecting his. “Where’s your brother?” I asked.

  “He’s not quite big enough for walking a dog,” Avery said. “His chore is to feed him.”

  “Which was hilarious, since no one explained what that involved,” Fletcher said. “He fed him from his plate at the table.”

  I smiled. I could see that, Tyler slipping the dog some food. I had a feeling there was going to be a lot of spoiling going on.

  “So, did you just bring Bogart home for the night?” Avery asked.

  “No, we”—I pointed between Jeremy and myself—“adopted him.”

  “Lucky dog,” Avery said. “Glad we didn’t take him when you asked us to.”

  “I think Kendall really wanted him,” Jeremy said, slipping his arm around my shoulders.

  I shrugged. “Sometimes you just connect with a dog.” I’d connected with too many to count, but Bogart had needed me the most.

  Jeremy crouched and held his hand out to Fargo, who came over and licked it. “Cute dog. When did you get him?”

  “Today,” Avery said. “Kendall talked us into taking him.”

  “I didn’t force you,” I pointed out. “You chose him.”

  “I think he chose us,” Avery said. “So far, though, he seems to be adjusting fine.”

  “He’s a sissy dog,” Fletcher grumbled.

  Chuckling, Jeremy looked up. “What?”

  “He’s small, prances around.”

  “They’ve got a Rottweiler you could adopt,” Jeremy said.

  “No more dogs,” Avery said. “One is enough.”

  Fletcher was living with her family for the summer. Another dog really wasn’t an option.

  “I like small dogs,” Jeremy said, and I was glad that he was unlike Fletcher in that regard and didn’t view any dogs as being sissies.

  “We’re going out for ice cream after our walk,” Avery said. “Want to come with us?”

  “We should probably stick close to home tonight,” I said. “So Bogart gets a sense of security.”

  Avery furrowed her brow. “We don’t have to stay with the dog all the time, do we?”

  “No,” I reassured her. “You have other people at your house. My mom isn’t exactly a dog person. She’s fine with him, but she won’t love on him like I will.”

  “Who would?” she teased. “Okay, then we’ll see y’all later.”

  They walked away, and I took Jeremy’s hand. “Are you okay not going with them for ice cream?”

  “Bogart comes first.”

  I hugged him tightly. “You’re the best.”

  Twilight had settled in while we were talking, so Jeremy and I headed back home. Besides, I didn’t think Bogart could do a long walk. I just wanted him to get out for a little exercise.

  “So what about staying at the beach with Avery?” Jeremy asked.

  “We should still be able to do that,” I told him. “Bogart and Mom will have adjusted to each other by then.”

  “I still can’t believe she didn’t get mad about you bringing him home.”

  “I think she secretly wanted a dog. It’s going to be lonely for her when I leave.”

  “Maybe she’ll have a boyfriend by then.”

  I crinkled my brow. I wasn’t ready for Mom to get a boyfriend. Dating was okay, but a boyfriend? I looked down at Bogart. Had she accepted him because there was something I was going to have to accept?

  I shuddered with the thought.

  Chapter 6

  JEREMY

  When I got home, the house was dark and funeral quiet. I figured my parents were out at one of the many fund-raising functions they attended. I was proud of the fact that they were so involved in the community, but it also got a little lonely around here. If I weren’t leaving for a college in a few weeks, I would seriously consider getting a dog.

  I went into the kitchen, microwaved some popcorn, grabbed a bottle of lemon water, and headed into the den where the biggest