Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99434 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“I’m not sure I should trust you from the sound of that…”
I winked. “I like the way you’re thinking. But you can trust me.” I stood and held out my hand to help her up. “Ready to go?”
She looked at it for a few seconds, hesitating before placing her little hand in mine. Even though she let go after she stood—when I wanted to keep it—it felt like progress that she’d taken it at all.
Baby steps.
Progress.
We were quiet as we made our way out of the coffee shop and up the street. I was just about to let her in on where we were heading to cheer her up, when she surprised me by opening up on her own.
“She’s really nice. I feel bad that I don’t want anything to do with her. But I just can’t bring myself to spend time with her.”
“It’s understandable,” I said. “She’s a constant reminder of something that’s painful for you.”
“But why doesn’t it bother her? Shouldn’t she see me the same way I see her? Just the fact that she wants to be friends makes me feel like something’s wrong with me for not feeling the same way.”
“Not everyone handles painful things the same way.” I paused and thought about whether I should share the example I immediately thought of. Deciding maybe it would help my case, I did. “Look at what I did with Max. It could have been as simple as telling you I was married once and had it annulled when you asked. But I didn’t even want to admit to it. I was embarrassed, and I hadn’t done anything wrong. There’s probably a little bit of you that feels the same about what your dad did.”
She nodded. “Yeah. All these years and only Quinn knows the truth of my parents’ odd relationship. And if I’m being honest, I had never even planned to tell her. His flight home on my sixteenth birthday got canceled, and I was upset that he was going to be with his other family on my day. Quinn and I got drunk, and I wound up telling her everything. I’d known what was going on for years by then, but I’d never said a word.”
I looked over at her and nodded. “Forget the mistakes others make; just learn from them. That was one of Etta’s mantras growing up. It’s scary how appropriate it is for my life right now.”
We arrived at the building that housed the animal shelter, and I stopped. “We’re here.”
“Where?” She looked around, and her eyes lit up as they rose to the sign high on the tall brick building: New York City Animal Care. “We’re visiting dogs?”
“We can visit them all. But I’m here for one in particular. I adopted a dog, and today’s my appointment to pick him up.”
***
“Oh my God.” Layla landed flat on her ass and cracked up. Just like the first time I’d met Freckles, he’d acted shy and hesitant, sniffing her until he decided she was okay, and then he’d pounced and knocked her over to lick her face. This time I grabbed his collar, much like the volunteer had done when it was me.
“Relax, boy. Take it easy. I know she smells good, but you’re embarrassing the both of us. Plus, I might be a little jealous.”
Layla’s smile was wide as she rolled her eyes and let me help her up. She stayed crouched down next to me, as Freckles finally turned his attention my way.
“There you go. It’s about time you noticed I was here.”
She looked on as I scratched behind his ears and gave him a good two-hand rub.
“And here I assumed you were referring to the attention I was giving the dog when you said you were jealous,” Layla teased. “Now I’m not so sure. I think you might’ve been jealous of the dog giving me attention.”
“You let me lick your face, and I won’t even remember I have a dog.”
She laughed.
The volunteer had said the center’s Wi-Fi was down this morning, so they were a little behind in getting the adoption paperwork together. She’d suggested we hang out in the pet playroom while they worked on finalizing everything.
I would stay all day in this putrid-smelling room just to keep that smile on Layla’s face. She looked so carefree in the moment.
Freckles ran over and got his shoe. I guess that thing was coming home with me if he still hadn’t given it up. Layla took the shoe and pulled on one end while he happily pulled on the other.
“Is this what they’re using for toys now? Whatever the fee is for adopting him, I think you need to double your donation.”
God, that damn smile.
“It’s his previous owner’s. Sad story. He died…” I reached out and scratched the dog’s back while the two of them played tug-of-war. “And this little guy got himself into trouble in the house for a few days before anyone found them. That’s why he’s shaved. When I saw him yesterday, he was covered in glue and mud. But that shoe is his owner’s, and he seems to be attached to it.”