Page 24 of Love at First Ink

“Yes,” she said tentatively, not sure if she liked where this conversation was headed.

“Well, they are having a free pet adoption next weekendbecause they are at capacity. I think you should go check it out and get?—”

“I’m going to stop you there,” Marisol said, putting her hand up. “There is no way I’m bringing a dog home. Do you understand how labor-intensive a dog is? I’ll have to take it out multiple times a day. Forget traveling. I’d have to be home to let the dog out and feed it. And there’s no way I’m picking up dog poop. Besides, dogs don’t like me.”

“That’s not true. You don’t like dogs. Which is fine,” Lola said quickly before Marisol could interrupt. “I wasn’t talking about a dog though. I feel like you would do well with a cat.”

“A cat?”

“Yes, maybe a kitten, though they are a lot of work,” Lola said.

“Mamá Lola, are we going to get a dog?” Camilia asked cutely, just as their food came. Marisol’s veggie omelet looked drab compared to their sweet, buttery pancakes.

“Your father wants one soon, but I want Fabian to be a little older,” she said before looking back at Marisol. “You like cats. This could be a good thing.”

She had one cat sweatshirt as a preteen, and she was still not living it down. “I like the thought of a cat,” she mumbled. But the real thing? She’d have to clean the litter box, take it to the vet, and make sure it had food and water. Granted, these things were much easier to do than caring for a dog, but it still seemed like a big commitment.

But, on the other hand, it might be nice not to come home to an empty condo day after day. A pet would have no choice but to like her. Probably.

“You should at least go. What’s the harm in checking it out?” Lola asked, dabbing at the syrup running down her pink lips.

“I guess I could check it out…if I don’t have anything else going on.” She didn’t, but Lola didn’t need to know that.

Her answer pleased her sister because Lola grinned and got out her phone. “Okay, I’m going to text you all the info. And for once, don’t tell Mom you are thinking about getting a pet. You know she’ll just talk you out of it if she knows.”

Just like their mom denied them pets growing up, not wanting to take care of another “thing.”

“I rarely call Mom up to chat.” And this would be one thing she definitely wouldn’t mention if she did.

A moment later, her phone buzzed as Lola’s text came in. “Pet Adoption Extravaganza” flashed in gaudy colors across her phone. These people seriously needed to hire a better graphic designer.

The “Extravaganza” would take place next weekend with promises of free dogs and cats, though donations were welcome. Apparently they had well over three hundred pets all looking for their “fur-ever home.”

Was she seriously considering doing this?

CHAPTER 12

Marisol

I think my sister wants me to get a cat.

Cats are nice. I’m more of a dog person.

Yeah…but I don’t know if I’m a cat person. Definitely not a dog person.

Knew there had to be something wrong with you.

I’ll let you know if I have a new fur baby tomorrow.

Name itLil Cisco.

Gross.

The air was ripe with the fresh scent of piss and shit. There was no escaping it, even in her car. The smell permeated the air and slipped through every opening and crevice. Why the hell was she here? She didn’t even think she wanted a pet, and yet here she was, at nine in the morning, parked by an old, smelly building with a line out the door.

It was because she felt like she owed it to her sister. Like coming here would somehow make her feel better about how badly she treated Lola growing up. The thought of turning around and driving back home was tempting…but she was already here. It would feel like a waste not to go in and at least check it out.

With her mind made up, Marisol got out of her car. The scent was only worse out in the open, but she hoped she’d eventually get used to it. That or pass out from the fumes.

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