Page 87 of Lucky Baller
“Sure. What are we eating? Snack foods? Want me to pick up some pizza and wings?”
“Pizza and wings. That way, neither of us has to cook. Well, I’ll make some cookies or something. Here.” She reaches for her purse. “Let me give you some money before I forget.”
“Nope. It’s on me. Cheese still for JJ?”
“You know it. One day, the kid will eat more than just cheese on his pizza.”
“Got it covered.”
“Hello,” a deep voice calls out. Autumn and I both head to the reception area to greet the vet. “He’s responding to the medication, but he’s not out of the woods yet. I gave him another dose, and I’ll stop by tomorrow to give him another. Will either of you be here?”
“I will be,” I tell him.
“Great. I’ll stop in before I leave tomorrow to give you an update.”
“Thanks, George,” Autumn and I say at the same time.
“Oh, and thanks for the heads-up about next week. Pinky could use a checkup.” Autumn gives him a wide grin.
He just shakes his head and smiles. “You got it, boss. You ladies have a great rest of your day.”
George is in his early sixties, and he’s still in disbelief that Autumn and Jeremy have a pet pig. It’s not the pig that surprises him. It’s that they let the pig live in their house and even take it for walks on a leash.
“He still thinks you’re crazy.”
“I know. I love it. Sure, Pinky is not a conventional pet, but the way we met and fell in love isn’t either.”
“Your life is what you make it. Besides, JJ loves Pinky. Now, where are we at for the day?”
“Just cleaning cages and feeding. Thanks to the adoption fair, we’re still not at capacity, so it shouldn’t take us long.” So many of our animals found their forever homes. “I thought we could tag-team it instead of splitting up today.”
“Yes! It’s been way too long since we’ve done that.” Just as I say the words, the chime sounds on the door. Looking up, my mouth drops open. “Mom? What are you doing here?” I rush around the counter to give her a hug.
“We wanted to surprise you.”
I turn to look at Autumn. “You little sneak.”
She holds her hands up in the air. “I’d love to take credit for this, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t know anything about it.”
“Landon,” Mom says.
“Really?” I ask, and my voice cracks.
“He called me the other day and said, and I quote, ‘we need to get you to Los Angeles more often.’ I agreed, and here I am.”
“I can’t believe he did this.” I hug her again.
“He said we’re staying at his place?” she asks, raising her brow and giving me a look that only a mother can pull off.
My face heats. “Yeah, he likes to know I’m there while he’s away.”
“That man is whipped,” Autumn chimes in with a laugh.
“Oh, I could tell with how adamant he was that I come and visit,” Mom agrees. “So,” she changes the subject, “what are the plans this weekend?”
“Well, I work all weekend here, and I was going to go over to Autumn’s and watch the game on Sunday.”
“Tomorrow, you’re only here until noon,” Autumn corrects.
