aresfontaine:
Brisk morning walks with Dan were something he had genuinely missed during his absence, a routine that his dog had forced him to adopt that reminded him that there was more to life than simply camping out at his place and planning empty revenges. For the time being, he had been doing a good job of keeping his head down and away from the limelight. After all, no one would ever think to search for a dead man. So long as he kept avoiding being seen with anyone, he could choose the perfect time to strike. Though, it was terribly dull and frustrating to simply sit around and wait for those who had attempted to kill him to reveal any sort of vulnerability that he could use to his advantage. Dante had always been a little reckless and hot-headed, a tiny bit impatient, even. However, he trusted Luli to let him know when it was time. After all, she knew far more about strategy than he ever would.
His dark thoughts were interrupted by a tiny girl, practically running up to the two of them. Dante was almost concerned by her appearance, glancing around as though he wasn’t sure that this little girl was talking to him. Little kids had a way of disregarding their surroundings and just who they were talking to, no matter how they looked, and this child was no different. There was something to be admired about her braveness, however. No human adult would ever stride up to him and ask to pet his dog with no fear in their voice. He nearly chuckled at the thought of it before her mother arrived with an armful of groceries.
“No, that’s okay, she can pet him. He doesn’t bite, I promise.” Dante spoke up, bending down to reach eye level with the child. Much to his chagrin, Dan was an overly friendly dog with a curiosity to match. Before he had even voiced his approval, he had already begun to sniff the little girl. Even if he had said no, there was nothing stopping his dog from rubbing up against the girl himself. “His name is Dan, his favorite spots are behind his ears and along the side of his neck, and he’s a little hyper and upbeat this morning so I’m sure he’s going to be pretty generous with his licks.”
Standing up once more to look at the girl’s mother, he couldn’t help but to give her a sheepish grin. It was clear that she had places to be, the amount of groceries in her hands couldn’t have been comfortable and the last thing she needed was her daughter to have gotten distracted by his dog. “Sorry, let me help you carry those, at least.” He spoke, his tone entirely apologetic as he offered his free arm out.
Relief fell heavily on Cecelia’s shoulders as Dan quickly went from Caroline’s Biggest Threat to Caroline’s Biggest Friend. Any ice in her disposition always immediately thawed whenever her daughter looked that happy. ❝ Oh, he’s so sweet with her! ❞ she said, her voice full of surprise and warmth in the midst of all the cold. ❝ You’ve trained him well. She’d try to ride him like a horse all the way home if I let her. ❞ In another life, one filled with white picket fences and a green backyard, Cecelia would be easily put that smile on Caroline’s face everyday. In this one, she’d have to continuously disappoint her daughter and explain that she did not have enough money or space or time for a dog.
Her suspicion towards the stranger didn’t waver, but it was mingled with relief. ❝ Don’t apologize, we’re the ones who interrupted you, ❞ she said as she made no effort to hand her grocery bags over to him. This man was friendly enough and made her daughter smile, but he was still a total stranger. If she was still living in Georgia, where Southern Hospitality was ingrained in everyone's DNA, she would’ve taken him up on his offer with a gracious smile. But New York Cecelia always had her guard up, and for a good reason. For all she knew, he was going to run off with her grocery bags, or wanted to find out where they lived for his own nefarious reasons.
Most likely, he was just trying to be polite. But she was never going to take that chance.
Not taking him up on his offer to carry her groceries quickly proved to be a mistake, as a sudden strong gust of cold wind made her shiver so hard that a bag slipped from her fingers and toppled to the ground. A jar of peanut butter rolled out by her feet, and Cecelia found herself letting out a tired sigh. Here was his chance to run off her sandwich ingredients. ❝ At least it wasn’t the eggs. ❞ Caroline didn’t help pick it up, of course, too enamored by the gargantuan fluff ball to notice anything else. ❝ I’m sorry, but I promise we’ll be out of your hair if you hand me that. ❞








