Page 47 of Pour Decisions
“Happy birthday, Bubba!” she says.
“Oh shit, that’s today.” I usually work from home on Saturdays, but today is Bubba’s birthday event. I completely forgot with everything happening between us.
It’s in collaboration with the Jepsen Animal Shelter. The biggest goal is to get as many animals at the shelter adopted as possible, but they’re also raising donations that we’ll match. Bubba, being the Stryker Liquor brand ambassador and birthday boy, has to go.
“Yeah, I’m planning on going. I have one client this morning, though.” She straightens up and holds up a finger. “Just a second!”
She disappears for a second and returns with a blue bandanna covered in a balloon print.
“Birthday boy!” She ties the bandanna around his neck and Bubba wags his tail. “I saw it at this boutique the other day and thought it fit.”
“It’s nice. It’s the color of the Stryker Liquor logo too.” I scratch him under his chin.
“Perfect.” She gives the dog a pat on the hip. “I’m going to get dressed. See you later?”
“I’ll text you and find you, then.”
I pull her in for a kiss that quickly heats up. It reminds me of the days of making out in my shitty old apartment, just enjoying the way we feel against each other.
“We should…” She takes a deep breath after we break apart. “We should probably play it cool because my coworkers might go if it’s a big event in town.”
“Shit. Yeah.” I blow out a breath. “I’ll keep my hands to myself as much as I can.”
“Good. I will too.” She gives me one more kiss before disappearing around the corner.
I top off my coffee and go to my office. An email about Bubba’s itinerary for the day is at the top of my inbox. I’m glad they didn’t overload him with activities.
11 AM - Photos next to the adoptable animals trailer
12:30 PM - Bubba’s cake tasting and competition
1:30 PM - Dog magic show with Wes
“What the fuck is a dog magic show?” I ask myself under my breath. It’s Wes, though, so it’s going to be ridiculous.
I work for a bit longer before heading over to the open, grassy area where the annual Jepsen festival is held. Other events like this one are held here throughout the year as well.
Volunteers from the animal shelter are setting up barriers for dogs, while others are setting up a meet and greet area for cats in a trailer that they’ve parked at the edge of the lot. A big banner with the Stryker Liquor logo in the middle, surrounded by the logos of other local businesses sponsoring the event, is next to the trailer.
“It’s the birthday boy!” Mom says when she spots us. She’s wearing a t-shirt with the most ridiculous photo of Bubba on it. He looks like he’s in the middle of an all-night bender. Below the picture it saysBubba’s Birthday Bash!“Hi, hun. Is Bubba ready for his photoshoot?”
“As ready as he’ll ever be, I guess.”
“This bandanna is too cute. Did you get this from Miss Lila’s in town?” Mom asks, straightening the fabric.
“Uh…” My brain glitches. Did Katrina say where she got this? “Yeah.”
Mom gives me a strange look, but stands up straight. I doubt she suspects anything—or would even guess why I didn’t remember.
My stomach tightens. I was so wrapped up in Katrina herself that I didn’t think about bringing her more into my life. Mom briefly met Katrina back when we dated and liked her, but I’m not sure what she’d think of her after everything that happened. Dad didn’t (and still doesn’t) give a shit about my social life, so he didn’t bother to show up for the dinner where he would have met her.
Yet, he decided she was a distraction without even meeting her.
They’ll have to see her eventually once Katrina feels ready, and the thought fills me with dread. But we’re taking it slow—we can talk about how to approach my family later.
“Good. I’m glad she’s still selling dog stuff. I want to get Lady something for Halloween,” she says. “By the way, put on your t-shirt.”
She hands me the t-shirt she’s wearing in my size, and I hold it up against myself.
