Page 18 of Take Me
But both women laugh as Erika rubs her knuckles under his chin.“Who’s a good dog?That’s right, it’s you.”
Right now, I’m grateful Annabelle’s always been more tuned to animals than humans.I’m not sure she’s noticed me struggling to act normal.She keeps making her pitch like this isn’t awkward as hell.“If I take him to the pound, you can go through all the official channels and adopt him as soon as he’s cleared.But between you and me, they’re at max capacity this week.If you think this guy might be your dog, I’d be happy to just hand him over.”
“You’ll just give me this dog with no paperwork.”
“Of course.”She smiles.“I know what a great guy you are.”
Not a great enough guy for her to keep dating me, but I don’t say that.“I’m heading out of town for Max and Sam’s wedding this weekend.I can’t leave a new dog alone.”
“I’ll watch him,” she says.“Now that I’m not your wedding date, it’s no problem.”She smiles at Erika, who gives her a stiff little smile in return.
“Great,” says my friend and fake girlfriend.“Looks like this is all working out.”
“Isn’t it?”Annabelle beams.“Everything’s coming together beautifully.”
I turn to the dog, since that seems like the best thing to do in this awkward moment.When I hold out my hand, he sniffs it.Wagging his poof of a tail, he drags a sloppy pink tongue over my knuckles.“This is the strangest looking animal I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“I knew he’d be perfect for you!”Annabelle squeaks her delight.“I’m so glad I drove past when I did.I saw you two kissing—so sweet, by the way—and it seemed like fate.The dog, I mean.Not the two of you, though obviously that’s been a long time coming?—”
“Wait, what?”Erika frowns.
I can’t wrap my head around that right now.“I’ll take him,” I say, glancing at Erika.“I mean—we’ll take him?”
“Oh.”Annabelle beams between Erika and me.“That’s great!I didn’t realize you’d already reached that point.”
“What point?”Why is everything going over my head right now?
“Adopting a dog together.”Spinning around, Annabelle roots in her passenger seat.She comes up with a small bag of treats and a polka-dot leash.“No, it’s awesome!Erika works days at the garage, and you work evenings a lot at the brewpub—it’s perfect for acclimating a new dog.He’ll have somebody with him all the time while he adjusts.”
“Oh.”Erika blushes deep crimson.“We’re not living together.”
“Not yet.”I don’t have a clue why I say it.Why I’m suddenly slinging an arm around Erika’s waist.“But, you know—it’s probably headed that way.”
Erika’s eyes flash with surprise, but she rallies.“Sure.”She pats my abs.At least, I think it’s meant to be a pat.She’s rubbing me now, her palm swirling over my middle like she’s soothing a bellyache.“Jesus, Mason.”She mutters it under her breath before aiming her smile back at Annabelle.“We’ve been casually dating a while, but we’ve been friends for so long it just feelsright, you know?”
“Totally get it.”Annabelle sounds truly happy.“I’m thrilled you’ve found your soulmates, too.”
“Too?”I’m not sure what she means, so I keep scratching the dog.“It’s getting serious with, uh—” Did she tell me the other guy’s name?
Annabelle bites her lip.“I didn’t want to make a big deal of this before, but yeah… We’re exclusive now.I think he might be the one.”
“One what?”
“The one.”Erika steps on my insole.“Like you and me, schmoopy.”
“Oh.”Thank God for Erika.“That’s right, uh—” What the fuck would I call her if she were my girlfriend?“Wrenchy,” I decide, and she steps on me harder.“Uh, Tinker Nutbolt.”
“That’s sweet.”Annabelle’s shoulders dip with relief.“So, you two are really okay with this?I worried it might be too soon or too strange or just too close to home with all the?—”
“Nah, it’s cool.”I guess we’re back to the dog now.“Thanks for thinking of me.Us.”
“Us.”Erika’s practically standing on my foot now.“Anything we should know about the dog?Feeding schedule or medical needs or commands he already knows?”
“You’re in luck.”She ducks back into her car and comes up with an envelope.“I typed up my care notes in case he went into a foster home, but I’ll give them to you.I’ve also got some extra kibble.The brand I’ve been giving him is listed in the notes, but I’ve got enough here for the next several days.”
“Excellent.”I deliberately don’t look at Erika as Annabelle digs through her car for the kibble.I feel my friend’s eyes drilling holes in the side of my head, but I focus on scratching my dog.
“All set.”Annabelle hooks a leash to his collar and hands me the other end.“I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”
