Page 36 of Sleeping with the Frenemy

Leo inched closer. “Then imagine the pleasure you’ll get from being able to tell me that you were right and I was wrong.”

“I don’t have to witness you get mauled by a wild creature in order to say that. I get that pleasure on the daily since I’m always right and you’re always wrong.”

He had to smile at that. “Fine, then imagine how much fun it will be to nurse me back to health. You’ll probably even get to see me shirtless.”

She snorted. “Please, if I wanted to see that, all I’d have to do is post up in any part of the apartment. I’m pretty sure you’re allergic to shirts.”

He smirked at her. “Glad you noticed. Although I’m not surprised. I am a perfect example of manhood.” Leo was finally able to see around the dumpster. The problem was that whatever was back there also saw him. It let out a low growl to let him know so.

It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, but once he did he immediately recognized it. He turned his head slightly to talk to Sofi, but didn’t take his eyes off of it. “Well, you’re sort of right,” he told her. “It’s a dog.”

“You’re sure it’s not a coyote?”

“Unless coyotes recently evolved into pit bulls, yeah I’m sure.”

“Pit bulls?” Her voice was high and nervous.

Leo eyed the big block head of the dark dog squatting in the corner of the enclosure. “Definitely a bully breed. I think it’s black.”

He took a step closer and the growling grew. Leo stepped back and slowly raised his hand. “It’s okay,” he spoke softly. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“What do we do?” Sofi asked. “Should we call animal control?”

Leo shook his head. “I’ve had to deal with animal control on jobs before. They close at seven. Give me a second.” He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Here. Google how to catch a stray dog.”

Sofi grabbed it. “I don’t know your passcode,” she said.

“It’s your birthday.”

Silence.

“Did you hear me?” he asked.

“Yeah,” she replied. There was nothing but the sound of typing for a minute. “Here’s an article. It says to stay calm, don’t move too fast, and don’t corner it.”

Well, that seemed like common sense. “It probably came in here because it’s hungry.” He kicked the garbage bag nearest to him. The dog growled again. “Open this bag. Maybe it will smell the food and come closer.”

“You open it. I’m not touching that garbage.”

“Sofi, I want to keep my eyes on it in case it tries to run past me. Just open the damn bag.”

She huffed. “Fine.”

Leo heard the crinkling of the garbage bag and so did the dog. It paused in its growling and lowered its head as if trying to see under the gate.

The strong scent of sofrito floated in the air. The dog began sniffing.

“You smell that, don’t you?” he said to the dog. “Why don’t you come check it out?” He raised his hand to motion to come and the dog shrunk back and immediately started growling again. It looked like it was going to try to sneak behind the dumpster. “Fuck,” Leo muttered. “Grab something out of the bag quick and throw it in there.”

“Oh hell no.”

“Just do it.”

“This is some nonsense,” she grumbled, but a second later she told him, “Move. I have a half-eaten pork chop in my hand and I have a strong urge to throw it at the back of your big-ass head.”

Leo bit his lip to keep from laughing and slid over to make room for her. “Toss it to the right. That’s where it is.”

“I can see it,” she snipped at him. “Here. Take your stupid phone.” She practically slammed it into his open hand. Then she waved the chunk of meat in the air. “Look, dog. It’s food. It’s somebody’s already eaten food that I’m touching with my bare hands, but I doubt you care about that.”

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