Bad Boy Good Heart

Chapter 6

Alice's POV
Xavier is at the table near the ice cream stand when I pull up. He stands when he sees me. I let Marlo out, making sure to have a grip on his leash.

"Hey you." He says pulling me into an uncomfortable hug.

"I don't know you that well. Please release me." I say calmly.

He releases me immediately and gives me a bewildered look with wide eyes. I smile a smile of reassurance, letting him know that it's okay and that I'm not to offended by his actions.

Little Marlo goes into a barking fit and I bend to pat his head.

"What flavor ice cream do you like?" He asks me.

"My favorite is cotton candy. Have you ever had it?"

He makes a face is distaste and sticks out his tongue.

"Ew. That stuff taste like pure sugar."

"You taste like pure sugar." I retort and fake being offended. He laughs a deep hardy laugh.

"Take a seat, one cotton candy coming right up."

I reach for my pocket to grab the money to pay but he shakes his head.

"I got it. I invited you out, remember?"

"Yea. " I smile and walk with Marlo over to the tables.

Xavier returns shortly with my ice cream and a rocky road ice cream for himself.

"Can Marlo have ice cream?" He asks.

"Nope. He's to young right now. "

Xavier nods. "Sooo."

"So..."

So. The ice cream was delicious but the conversation was terrible. Arriving home, I lock the door behind me and momentarily stoop down to grab Marlo to carry up to my room. Xavier had nothing to say other than complementing himself and talking about Marlo.

A little to self centered for me.

I set Marlo down and close my room door with my foot. Marlo is having a barking fit, but he will wait until I erase Mr. conceiteds number. I pull out my phone but feel like I'm being watched. I turn to see my mother creeping up on my from behind my door. I scream bloody murder and practically throw my phone from my hands.

"Why were you hiding behind my door?!" I yell.

My mother is in tears right now laughing so hard, but she manages to lift up her phone and take a picture of my still scared face. I don't find it funny.

"So that I could see this reaction. " She says between laughs and shows me the picture.

My blonde hair is flying all over and my green eyes are wide in horror.

I roll my eyes at her and gather my phone from the floor.

"Mom this is Marlo."

I grab the small dog and hold him out towards my mother. She takes him and immediately begins giving him kisses, him licking her face. "He's so cute!" She hugs him to her face before looking up and giving me a stern look. "I told you that I won't be able to watch him for you."

I take him from her and set him back down.

"I know that. It's only for a few days that I will be keeping him."

She gives me an incredulous look.

"How was work." I say sitting on my bed.

She sighs.

"It was very long." She sits on the bed beside me. " how is Conner, have you talked to him?"

An involuntary blush spreads over my face.

"You haveeee. I can tell. How was it honey?"

I don't know if I should tell her about our night, but I don't want to lie.

"He took me for a drive and bought me snacks that we ate while we talked."

Her face is practically glowing. "Your father used to take me on long night drives, just so I could fall asleep in the car." her smile falls.

She stands and reaches down to pet Marlo. "I think I'm going to go take a nap, I'm tired honey."

She stands and exits the room. How could my father just leave like that. She's one of the best people I've ever been fortunate enough to meet.

Marlo barks at me, begging for attention. I pick him up and cradle him.

"You like mommy don't you? Yes you do, yes you do."

The rest of the day passes by so slowly without any word from Conner.

Before I know it, the rest of the week passes by without a word from him, and it's Monday again. Was our night, a one night thing? Even though he told me that he wanted to 'teach me to live,' he hasn't spoken to me and I haven't seen him.

Marlo is barking at the edge of my bed and roll over to see his little tail wagging and in his mouth, the food bowl.

"Wake upppp, honey I made breakfast." My mom calls.

It smells like blueberry waffles or pancakes, one or the other. Along with sausage and bacon. Marlo barks at me and I toss the covers off for my morning stretch.

"Good morning mom!" I call. "and good morning to you little Marlo." I say standing and patting his head.

I grab his food bowl and pull down my short sleeping shorts which have risen to heavens high.

Marlo follows to the restroom as I get ready for the breakfast, relieving myself and washing my face. I fill his food and water dish and greet mom with a kiss on the cheek before taking my own seat.

"What do you plan to do today?" Mom asks me.

"Nothing really I suppose. Maybe I'll go help at the shelter, and then buy another bag of dog food for Marlo."

"Okay. I have to work a late shift tonight though honey."

"That's fine." Not that she needs to tell me or ask permission, but I do like to know the days that I just won't see her at all.

We eat in a comfortable silence. And I can't help but wish that Conner would stop by and tell me that he wants to take me somewhere, especially since mom won't be here.

"I'm going to take Marlo outside." I tell my mom after washing off my dish.

"Okay. I'll be up getting ready for work."

I put Marlo's leash on and step into the already burning hot morning sun.

"That's a pretty dog, and those are very short shorts, sweet heart." Conners voice says close to my ear.

I guess wishes do come true.

                                           ✨

Instagram - Melanin_filled_soul