“Wow, you must really enjoy it.”
She points to what looks like a 2016 red Honda Civic. “That’s my car. And yes, I do really enjoy it. I don’t have any grandparents, or at least none who are still part of my life. The residents at the seniors’ home are like surrogate grandparents to me. I love them as if theyaremy grandparents. And they treat me like I’m their granddaughter.”
She smiles at me. It’s a gorgeous smile—one that causes a spark deep in my gut, two live wires briefly touching.
“What about you?” she asks. “Are your grandparents still part of your life?”
“They are. My granny lives with my parents. And is always keeping them on their toes.” I mentally laugh at how much she does that. “She told me once that it’s how she keeps herself young. My grandfather, her husband, passed away a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Me too. He was a great guy. I’m positive you would’ve liked him. My other grandparents live in Texas, near one of my sisters and her family.…Did you want to come with me in my vehicle or follow me?”
“I’ll follow you. But in case I lose you, what vet clinic are you going to?”
I tell her the name. It’s not exactly close to here. My home is on the other side of the city from the school.
For a second, I think she’s going to change her mind, and maybe she would have if we weren’t both friends with Ava. Ava has already vouched for me, which makes my life a helluva lot easier when it comes to the mission.
We eventually arrive at the clinic where Whiskey has spent the past thirty-two hours.
“Do you have any supplies for him?” Chloe asks as we enter the building.
“I picked up some stuff for him this morning.” The convenient thing about having a colleague who’s a dog lover is that Jayden could tell me what to get. He also gave me pointers when it comes to taking care of a puppy.
Rule #1 when it comes puppy obedience: Show him who’s boss—which works for me.
I approach the front desk. “Hi, I’ve come to collect the injured puppy I dropped off yesterday morning. The cockapoo.”
The receptionist’s mouth breaks into a soft smile. “Ah yes, the sweet puppy who has stolen everyone’s heart here. Have you come up with a name for him yet?”
“Whiskey. And if he’s stolen everyone’s heart, does that mean someone wants to adopt him?” I smile hopefully at her, pouring on the charm like hot fudge over a sundae.
“Sorry, we’re all maxed out on pets right now. Otherwise, I’m positive one of our staff members would. Interesting choice of name, but it’s also very fitting.”
She tells the woman behind her, wearing cartoon cat scrubs, that we’ve come for the puppy. The woman disappears through the doorway and re-emerges a minute later, carrying him in her arms.
“Oh, aren’t you the just the cutest bundle of fluff?” Chloe coos, letting him sniff her hand, then scratching him behind the ear.
The puppy releases a little bark and attempts to lick her face.
“Looks like you’ve already won him over,” I say. Now I just need him to win her over enough so she takes him off my hands.
The vet assistant gives me directions on how to care for Whiskey’s wound and answers all my questions.
“And you’ll let me know if the situation changes and a foster home becomes available?” I’ve already left a description with the humane society in case someone turns up there, searching for the puppy.
“Yes, we have him on the list.”
“And if you hear of anyone looking to adopt a puppy…”
“We’ll give them your contact information. But are you sure you don’t want to keep him? Given his rough start, he really is a sweet little dog. And this breed is a great family pet.”The woman’s gaze shifts to Chloe.
“I’m positive.” I’m the kind of man who likes to be in full control of his life—and something tells me Whiskey is the opposite of what I need.
I take him from her, and after the woman has said her good-byes to him, Chloe, Whiskey, and I head out for the next part of my mission: a date with Chloe.
Whiskey’s going to be the perfect sidekick for that. Chloe will have a hard time saying no to being my girlfriend when I have him in my life. She’s already opened her heart to him, so the rest of this should be easy.
