“Get a dog, they said. It will be fun, they said.” Moose lies in the middle of the sidewalk, not moving. “You’re making this adoption thing really easy on me.” I put my hand on my hip, glaring down at him and trying to show authority, but all he does is flop his tongue out in the most adorably annoying way.
“I’m sorry. That was mean.” I drop down onto my knees in the middle of the sidewalk and people have to walk around us. I hear some of their choked laughter and I can’t help but chuckle myself. “We both know I’m going to keep you.”
I got to take Moose for a trial visit to see if we were compatible. I’d gone to the animal shelter looking for a mean fierce dog, but now I have a giant fluff ball who might weigh more than me. He also hates walks, so we have a lot in common.
“You gotta get up.” He rolls over onto his back and I scratch his belly. “You’re supposed to be my fierce guard dog.” He rolls back over, finally getting up onto all fours, then licks me right across my face. “Well, then. I was going to see if Jenna could make you one of those puppuccino drinks everyone has been talking about, but I’ve changed my mind.” He gives me another lick, calling my bluff.
“Then let's go.” I push up off the ground, wiping my knees off. “You gonna walk now?” I step aside, giving him plenty of space, and he actually gets up. I had no idea some dogs hate walks—Moose just wants to lie on the sofa watching reality TV. He’s really living the dream.
“This way.” I gently tug on his leash when we get to the end of the street and he looks both ways and agrees with me. The leash is pointless because Moose only goes where he wants to. I’m going to have to look into doggie school or something.
When I get to the coffee shop, I see a no dogs sign on the window which I’d never noticed before. Moose barks and I nod. “I hear you. Looks like neither of us are getting anything.” But just as I’m about to leave, Jenna sees us and waves me in. I point down to Moose and her eyes widen at the massive dog at my side. She comes around the counter and opens the door with a gasp.
“What the hell is that?”
“Moose.”
“He’s going to need three puppuccinos.”
“He’s been a bad dog, he shouldn’t even get one.” Moose looks up at me with the saddest eyes. “Okay, he can have four,” I say, and Jenna bursts into laughter.
“He’s already working you over, I see. Get in here. I just pulled fresh cookies out.”
“The sign.” I point to it.
“What’s Reed going to do? Fire me?” She rolls her eyes and she’s probably right.
They have this weird dance they do around each other, and to be honest, she runs the place. I guess that’s good because Reed is not someone I would ever picture owning a bakery and coffee shop. When I first met him, he was in a fancy suit which was definitely not a mom and pop coffee shop vibe. Then he took the suit jacket off and tattoos peeked out everywhere. The man was an enigma, which I think Jenna is in love with, but would die before ever admitting it.
“Where is Reid?” I look around the shop and it’s empty, but it’s late.
“I don’t know, maybe at a biker club.”
“A what?”
“I don’t know. He was on a bike yesterday.” She holds her hands out like she’s revving up a motorcycle.
“Can you show me that again?” I fight a smirk.
“Shut up.” She throws a napkin at me and Moose catches it. He chews on it for a second before spitting it back out, clearly not pleased with the taste. “When did you get this adorable pup?”
Pup? He’s massive. “I thought I could use some company.” Why talk to myself all day when I could talk to a dog instead?
“He’s awfully big. Don’t you think you should have gotten a smaller one?”
“He’s just fluffy.” I cover his ears and she gives me a suspicious look. “He was supposed to be mean and fierce.”
“And why do you need a mean and fierce dog?” She hands me a fresh cookie before she starts making me a drink.
“I’m a single girl all alone.” I take a bite and groan. No one makes sweets like Jenna.
“Is this about Creepy Peter?”
“He is creepy, isn't he?” It makes me feel marginally better knowing I’m not the only one who saw it.
“I didn't think much of him before, but he is weird around you. He asked me about you while you were gone at your grandma's.”
“Did he really?” I cringe because that’s so weird. Or maybe it’s the neighborly thing to do? My Grams watches her neighbor’s place.
“More like interrogated me. He got angry about it when I wouldn’t tell him shit and he stormed out of here.”
“He’s making me uncomfortable.”
“You should report him or something.”
“Can I report someone for making me uncomfortable? He hasn't done anything and I’m pretty sure being creepy isn't against the law.”
If it is, I'm in trouble because I spent entirely too much time smelling Devin’s pillow the other night. Along with a little snooping around. I couldn't find one picture of him and I was disappointed. I did find quite a few pictures of a beautiful leggy brunette. She was stunning and polished, which would definitely fit Devin’s posh apartment.
“No, but you can tell him to fuck off.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone that before. Isn’t my mean dog supposed to do that?” Moose barks and I swear sometimes I think he can understand me. “Thankfully I haven't seen him since I got back, so maybe he’s done being creepy.”
“He’ll never not be creepy.” She hands me my drink before leaning over the counter to give Moose his.
He eats the whole thing in one giant lick. “I’m thinking about moving apartments.”
“It’s so messed up that he gets to be a creep and you have to move.”
“I agree and I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. If I’m going to move, I might as well really move and not just switch places.”
“Oh man.” Jenna’s shoulders drop. “You’re going to go be with Grams, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I shrug. “I mean, why not? I can work from anywhere and she’s my only family. With as much as I visit her, I should be closer too.”
“I know, I’ll just miss seeing you around and talking shit on people. Okay, maybe I’m the one who talks shit, but you don’t give me judgmental looks as I do it.”
I laugh because I’ll miss that too. Jenna says what we’re all thinking. She reaches out, giving me a side hug.
“I’ll miss you too, but I’m not leaving today. It’s just an idea right now, but I don’t have any solid plans.”
“All right, let me know if you need anything. I’m going to close this place up.” We both look toward the front door when we hear it open and Reed comes in.
“Where is your bicycle today?” Jenna asks him.
“I’ll see you later,” I whisper as I wink at Jenna and sneak out of the place.
Luckily Moose doesn't give me any problems on our walk home and I’m able to finish my drink. When I get to the top of the stairs, Moose stops walking and I hear a low growl coming from him. I look down in surprise because he’s never done that before.
“Moose?” He growls deeper and longer this time, and my heart starts to race. I follow his line of sight and see he’s staring right at our front door that’s hanging open.