Page 32 of Wicked Love

Fred and Jenny, longtime employees of Pet Galaxy, are both milling through the kennels and Fred lights up when he sees Becca stick her tongue out.

“You like Martha?” he says.

“Martha,” I echo.

My nose curls up just looking at her. She is seriously the most pitiful dog I have ever seen.

Fred opens her kennel and lifts her out of there, holding her close enough for us to pet. I touch her skin and shudder.

Fred laughs. “It’s different after you’re used to a dog with hair or fur. But she’s a sweetheart. And you don’t have to worry about shedding!”

“We take him,” Becca says.

“Martha is a girl. Would you rather have a boy dog?” I ask hopefully.

“We take Martha. Girls are better.”

“Why don’t we see if she likes us first,” I say.

“I hold her,” Becca says.

I look at Fred and he motions for us to follow him to the bench.

“She’s not nippy at all?” I ask.

This will be the true test, how Martha responds to Becca.

“She’s as docile as they come,” Fred says. “Potty-trained, four years old. Her owner is Mary Nugent…did you ever meet her?”

I shake my head.

“She’s only lived in town for about a year but is transferring back to California and her new apartment doesn’t allow dogs.”

Becca holds out her arms and Fred places Martha in her lap.

“Be still with her, okay? It’s important to be calm around dogs we don’t know,” I remind her. “And even after we know them well,” I add.

Even I have to admit that the dog nestles right into Becca, which delights her, but she does as I asked and remains calm. The dog looks up at me groggily and then her eyes close and she falls asleep.

“She’s sleeping, Dad!” Becca whispers loudly. “We take her home for nap.”

I chuckle and so does Fred.

“Looks like you’ve found the one,” he says.

I text the guys after we get home with a carload of dog paraphernalia. I had no idea dog shit was so expensive.

Sorry, I won’t be able to make it tonight. Becca and I got a dog.

I send a couple of photos of Martha and the responses are immediate.

Penn

What the fuck is that?

Rhodes

Are you sure that’s a dog? Bring her over! We need to meet the newest member of the family…even though I’m a little scared of that thing. Bogey needs friends.

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