“You didn't have to come at all, and it's not even raining anymore.”
“I told you I was curious about this place. And about you.”
She smiled playfully, holding her hands at her sides. “I don’t have any secrets. Despite what I said in my drunk, flirty text. I’m an open book.”
“We’ll see about that,” I teased.
She cleared her throat, glancing at the pen. “Okay, well, I’m going to wrap up everything with the kids, and then I’ll show you around. And I’ll take him.”
She pointed to the puppy, who didn’t protest at all when she scooped him under her arm.
“I’ll wait here.”
“Okay. I’ll be quick.”
She went back to the pen and brought all the dogs inside the house along with the kids. A few minutes later, the kids and the kindergarten teacher were all in the minivan. It was just Mel and me now.
“All yours now,” she declared. “Come on. I’ll give you a tour.”
I walked right next to her as she led me inside the house. I couldn’t stop looking at her. Her hair covered the curve of her neck, but it tempted the hell out of me.
The second we walked inside, the dog that attacked my suit earlier appeared in the hall. Mel laughed.
“It’s like he has radar for you,” she said as he ran toward me again.
This time I scooped him up before he could do any more damage to my pants. He seemed like a mix of black Labrador and cocker spaniel.
“I think so too. Little guy, don’t get used to this.”
"You don't like animals?" Mel asked.
“I do like them. I grew up in Montana in a small town. We were around the animals a lot. We had a dog and two cats growing up. Isabelle loves them too, and I know she wants a dog once they get settled. She and Brayden are moving into a huge house with a yard.”
Mel’s eyes softened. “Well, if you want to get her a dog, you’re in the right place. Come on, let’s show you around. It won’t take long. It’s tiny.”
On the inside, it seemed even smaller than from the outside. There were just a few rooms, with bowls of water and food, and many toys on the floor. "There are no cages?" I asked, watching the dogs move around freely.
“No, that's a bit of an antiquated concept as well as a bit cruel, to be honest. It's worked out so far. There are no fights.”
She bent down to pick up the bowls on the floor and filled them with water and food.
Where did she find the motivation to do all this in her spare time? She fascinated me. I liked that she didn't mind getting her hands dirty. Her dress was smeared with mud from outside. She even had a bit of dirt on her face, but she still looked fucking gorgeous.
"I'm surprised you're so comfortable getting your hands dirty," I teased her.
She looked over her shoulder as she bent down to tend to the rest of the bowls.
“I can say the same thing about you, Mr. Suit. I won't lie, I thought you would rant when this little guy got his dirty paws all over you.”
I chuckled. “As I said, I grew up in a small town. We had a yard with animals. I'm used to it. Honestly, I'm more comfortable out of a suit than wearing one.”
“So, then, why do you wear it?”
“It's good for business. As a software programmer, I'm used to casual clothing, but there's a shift in a room's dynamics when I enter it wearing a suit. I can't explain it, but it seems to make an impression.”
“Oh, please. You're impressive anyway.”
“Am I? Good to know.”
She sighed, shaking her head. “What is it about you that makes me say things like this? I can’t even blame it on the wine this time.”
I threw my head back, laughing so damn hard that I startled the dog. “You’re something else, Mel.”
“It’s all because of you. And somehow, seeing you holding this little guy isn’t helping.”
We went from the first room to the second, where she again filled containers with water and food. The third room was bigger than the first two. It also had a small desk in one corner with two chairs next to a shelf full of documents. The little guy was getting restless. I put him on the floor, and he went straight to one of the food containers, eating his fill. Mel lowered herself on her knees and patted his head.
“Hey, little guy, that's all the food for you. You'll explode if you eat more.”
He ignored her and kept eating away before moving to the bowl with water. Afterward, he made a beeline straight to me. I lowered myself on my haunches, patting his head. He picked up some weird squeaky toy and brought it to me. I had no clue what he wanted me to do with it, but it was fun to discover. I squeaked it twice, which seemed to scare him. I tossed the toy away, patting his head again. He lay down on one side, clearly wanting his belly patted.
“You know, you're much more relaxed with him around,” Mel said.
I glanced up and found her looking at me.
“How do you know it's not your influence?” I asked.
Her lips quirked up in a half smile. “I was with you at the gym too, and that didn't help you relax.”
“This is different.”
“How?”
I stepped closer, tilting toward her. “It’s just you and me.”
She blushed, looking between us. “And the little guy.”
“I want him for Isabelle.”
Her eyes lit up. “Seriously? This is great.”
“Yes. But she doesn’t move for a few weeks, so I’ll pick him up then.”
“Okay. I’ll mark it in our system that he’s already adopted so someone else doesn’t take him home by accident.”
The dog rolled over on his belly, putting his head on his paws and looking at me with wide eyes.
"I think the little guy doesn't want to say goodbye," Mel said.
“He'll have to.”
“Are you sure about that? You could take him tonight and keep him until Isabelle moves.”
“My lifestyle isn't compatible with animals. I spend almost no time at home.”
“That's what dog walkers are for, and dog sitters. A lot of pet owners work full-time, and they make it work.”
“I really can't have a puppy in the apartment.” As if guessing we were talking about him, he started wailing, making a loud, pathetic sound. "Oh, for Christ's sake, what's he doing?"
“I think he's hoping he'll go home with you. When he realizes he won't, he'll be a bit heartbroken.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you trying to emotionally blackmail me?”
She grinned. “Is it working? I've been told I have a special talent.”
“No kidding.” I wasn't heartless. I just really didn't have time in my life for a pet. So why was I already calculating how I could coordinate everything with a dog sitter? I looked from the dog back at Mel, who was still grinning.
“You want to take him with you, don't you? Oh my God, you’re full of surprises.”
“Yes, I’m taking him now,” I said, surprising the hell out of myself. "What's the protocol?"
“I have some papers for you to sign. It might be a good idea to enroll him in dog school. I’ll give you some food so he has everything he needs for a couple days, but you should go to a pet shop and buy supplies.”