“You still listen to this?”
I feel my cheeks begin to heat. “Yes.”
“Are you still hiding your love of old-school music?”
“Yes.”
She laughs. “I kind of like that I’m the only one who knows that secret.”
“I did confess it to Zach, but he’s not a real person, so you’re still the only one. Not even AJ knows.”
“Wow, I feel special,” she says distractedly.
I glance over to see her slide open the zipper on her bag just enough to slip her hand inside.
“What are you doing, Den?”
“N-Nothing,” she says, clearly guilty of something.
The bag moves.
I hit the brakes.
“Denver Andrews! Tell me you didnotstuff my pug into your ratchet duffle bag.”
“Well do you want me to lie to you then?”
“Denny!”
“What!” She unzips the bag fully and pulls Steve out, snuggling him against her face. “Look how cute he is.”
“I cannot believe you right now.”
“He was so lonely, Shep. I couldn’t leave him in your apartment all by himself.”
“We don’t even have his leash.”
She digs into the bag again, producing his leash, water bowl, and treats.
I shake my head, slightly annoyed but even more amused.
This woman, I swear.
“It’s too late to turn back now. We’ll be even later.”
“How did I not notice this?”
She kisses Steve’s nose. “Because you’re a dumbass.”
Surprisingly, Steve does a really good job in the car, Denny calming him down when we have to stop and his anxiety gets the best of him.
When we finally pull up to the restaurant, we’re miraculously only ten minutes late.
Denny snaps Steve’s leash on and gets out of the truck.
“Hope Allie and AJ don’t mind sitting outside, Steve.” She shakes her head at me. “Can’t believe you’re so codependent you brought your dog, Shep.”
“I-I… You… You!” I sputter, dazed by her accusations. “I swear, Den, I’m going to kiss you today.”