Page 32 of Aperture

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My dog is acting like a lunatic when we return back from the walk early. I forgot the poop bags and as soon as I opened the door he pushed past me, almost knocking me over.

“Cheese and rice, Milo!” I exclaim. “What’s your problem?”

He runs into the living room, sniffs everything, and then works his way around the house to the back room, spending most of his time sniffing there and jumping up on the wall by the window. I follow him there and switch on the light. I go over to inspect the area but don’t see anything out of place.

This is the window Wyatt told me to get fixed, so I make a mental note to ask around for a handyman to do it since it would be awkward to ask Wyatt now. Milo continues to sniff around and whine slightly, clearly on a mission about something.

“What’s up with the beast?” Gwen asks, walking in after us.

“I have no idea. Seems like he’s anxious about something but I don’t know what.”

“Probably still just settling in after losing his owner and being stuck at the shelter,” she replies.

He’s still standing in the center of the room, head up in the air, sniffing at something as if he's trying to process information.

“Come here, boy,” I call, and he finally abandons his mission and trots over to me.

“You’re just trying to figure all this new stuff out, huh, Handsome,” I say as I kneel to his level and scratch his neck and face.

“I’d get him some of that doggie CBD stuff,” Gwen offers. “Might help with the anxiety.”

“That’s a good idea,” I tell her. “I’ll head back to the pet store later.”

Chapter 20

I look at my phone for the fourth time in an hour and read Millie’s messages.

Millie: Last night was amazing. I wish we could have said goodbye properly.

Millie: I hope everything is OK?

Millie: Can we talk sometime today? Please.

Fuck! I can’t believe I let this happen. I toss my phone on my desk and rake my hands through my hair. I’m supposed to be smarter than this. I am supposed to have more control. I could not let her walk away last night without understanding what she meant to me, but I only made it worse.

Leaving her this morning was the most difficult thing I have ever done. I was not lying when I told her I had not been with anyone in a long time. I left the days of drinking too much and fucking strangers behind me in college. The meaningless sex and lack of connection got old. I never felt good sneaking out in the middle of the night. That is ironic, Asshole.

There is also the strangler case. For the better part of the past year, that has been my sole focus, but Millie has gotten under my skin in a way I never expected. Obviously she is beautiful, but my attraction to her is deeper. She’s smart and funny, and she challenges me. But I can’t have her, and I know that, and I still allowed her to give herself to me last night. Not only did I allow it, I initiated it.

I’m a selfish bastard. I don’t know how to handle this situation, but I know that I can’t ignore her. I will not do that to her, even though it would probably be for the best. She is part of something much bigger that I can’t ignore anyway. I need to talk to her.

Wyatt: Sorry I had to leave. Can we meet today?

I wait nervously for several minutes before she replies.

Millie: Are you OK?

This woman. I know that my leaving must have confused and hurt her, but here she is, asking me if I ’m OK.

Wyatt: Yes. I just want to talk.

Millie: You can come over whenever.

I sigh. I would rather do this somewhere public, but that is a coward’s way out.

Wyatt: I’ll be over around 6:30.