Page 69 of Must Love Dogs… and Hockey

The loss tonight feels shitty. As Cookie and I walk along 66th Street, I think about Lilly. Once again, I feel a visceral need to see her. She sent me her usual picture of Otis when she left him after his walk. Just seeing that text from her made me smile. I wish she was waiting for me in my apartment along with the mutt. But at least I have my dog. I’ll take him out for a walk and clear the frustration clouding my head.

Back out on the street with him, I consider walking to Lilly’s place. But I can’t keep doing that. I’ll see her tomorrow when I drop Otis off. We leave on a road trip to Montreal and Ottawa.

Instead, I text her when I get home.Thanks for the pic of Otis.See you tomorrow morning.

Yep!

Are you in bed?

Yes. Why?

I’m in my bed too.

I wait, then add another line.One of us is in the wrong place.

She replies:

Then she sends another message.Are you okay after the loss?

I’m pissed as hell. We could’ve done better.

I was afraid of that.

It’s okay. Your sexiness is distracting me from my anger.

You can’t even see me.

I’m thinking about you.

Oh yeah?

Yeah. If you could read my mind, you’d be having an orgasm.

Maybe I am having an orgasm…because I’ve been thinking about you.

Lilly…fuck.

I wish.

I groan. Maybe sexting was a bad idea.

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I drop off Otis in the morning, on my way to the airport. Poor Otis. As usual he’s a roller coaster of emotions—overjoyed to see Lilly, then crying when I leave. I know he’ll be fine; Lilly keeps me very well informed about all his activities, including pooping. She even sends little video clips. If she does that for all her clients, she must be popular. She knows how hard it is for people to leave their dogs, I guess.

“We get back around one in the morning Sunday,” I tell her. “Is that too late to pick him up?”

“That’s way past my bedtime.”

She’s teasing me.

“Okay,” I say. “Here’s an idea. How about you stay over at my place Saturday night? I’ll try not to wake you up when I get home.”

Her eyes widen. “Um, really?”

I lean in closer until our noses are almost touching. “I mean, Icouldwake you up. If you wanted.”

I love the smile that curves her lips. “Well, normally I don’t like having my sleep interrupted, but I might make an exception for you. But maybe you’ll be tired after your trip.”

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