Page 11 of You and Me, For Real
“I wouldn’t mind taking her. It’s just…well, I have this thing to get to. And honestly, I’ve never had a dog before. I know next to nothing about taking care of one.”
“They’re not all that complicated. They just want love and attention—just like the rest of us.”
He opens his mouth, but pauses, then licks his lips.
I don’t want to offer this option because, frankly, it’ll be a miracle if I can find someone else, but I also get it. He’s just trying to get the poor animal some help. He didn’t intend on adopting one.
I heave in a deep breath. “The fact is, our shelter is full. Beyond full, really. And I cannot accept this dog today. However, if you’re willing to foster her overnight, I’ll do my best to make some phone calls and see if we can find her a more permanent foster home.”
His shoulders relax. “Okay. One night. I can handle that.”
He makes me think of a teenager given their first set of car keys, knowing the weight of responsibility. It’s endearing.
His phone rings just as Lynn appears in the examination room doorway.
“I’ve been looking for you.” She stops when she realizes I’m not alone. “Oh, I’m sorry.”
Griffin’s back is to her. He presses the answer button on his phone. “Hello?”
Lynn mouths,In the hall, and points.
I whisper to Griffin, “I’ll be in the hallway.”
He nods his understanding. “I know. I know. We’re almost done.” Just as I’m about to exit the room, he says, “He can wait five to ten more minutes. We’ll still have plenty of time.”
The moment I’m in the hallway, Lynn pulls me to her. “I’ve been looking all over the shelter for you. Where were you?” Despite her stern tone, her persistent hug tells me she’s just concerned.
She spent a lot time this morning talking me through my anxiety and working with me on what to say in the interview about my rescue center. Then I botched it all. “I went to my car to…calm down. Then we had someone bring in a dog. I didn’t want to disturb you, so I went ahead and brought them into the examination room.”
She releases me from the hug and holds my shoulders. “Are you okay? I’m sorry if it seemed like I pushed. Did I push? I know how important this is to you.”
“I know. I know. You didn’t push. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it.” I smile despite my own failure eating at me. I have no one to blame but myself.
“Oh, honey, none of it matters. You’ll find another way. You’re sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure.”
Griffin slips into the hallway and says, “Sorry, ladies, I’m done with my phone call. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t waiting?—”
Before I can turn around, Lynn gasps, and then squeals in a high pitch that has me wincing.
“You’re Griffin Ford. From that TV show…” Her eyes widen, and she snaps her fingers. “The one with the beach, thelifeguards, and the whole teenage drama thing. LikeBaywatchmeetsGossip Girl, right?”
I turn to see Griffin smiling but with a slight grimace. “That’d be the one.Malibu Shores.”
She flutters around me like a moth to a flame. “I knew it!” She takes his hand and shakes it vigorously between both of hers. “A pleasure to meet you. How can we help you?”
His lips quirk to the side, amused. He leans around her for direct eye contact with me. “I believe—Ashton, was it?”
“Yes.”
“I think we’ve worked something out.”
“Lynn, would you mind getting the foster paperwork ready for Griffin to sign?”
Her eyes widen. “Oh, wonderful. Absolutely, I will. Let me just go grab that.”
I swear it looks like she resists the urge to pat his cheek as she grins up at him. She turns and heads down the hallway.
