Page 115 of The Guy Who Fake Dated Me

Benjamin stopped over a foot from me and stretched his neck to get closer to my hand.

I watched his nose, ready to jump back if the moist surface touched my skin. After a few sniffs, he snorted and went back to Brooke.

“She’s just scared,” Brooke said as she rubbed the dog. “You gotta help her.” She crawled over, grabbed a knotted rope about a foot long, and offered one end to Benjamin. He nabbed it in his teeth, and they started a game of tug-of-war.

Brooke was a natural at this. She probably spoke ten animal languages and could get any critter to play with her.

On the other hand, I was afraid of a nose. Or, more appropriately, what lay in the mouth beneath the nose.

I watched as Brook slowly came closer to me, pulling Benjamin with her. She’d warned me that she was going to do this, but I was still nervous.

What if the dog decided to bite me instead of the toy?

Brooke laughed as Benjamin thrashed back and forth.

“He’s going to take your arm off,” I said.

“Nah, most animals can tell how hard they should pull and not injure you. They’re usually great with kids.” Brooke stopped right next to me and pointed at her end of the toy. “Your turn.”

I gulped, imagining myself with the Adam’s apple of a cartoon character, and grasped the end of the rope.

Brooke let go, and suddenly Benjamin was trying to pull me out of the chair. I planted my feet and looked at Brooke with what had to be a panicked expression on my face.

“Don’t let him get it.” She pointed at Benjamin.

I grabbed the rope with both hands and held on as he jerked around.

“Good boy,” Brooke said.

Benjamin stopped thrashing and stared at Brooke. He didn’t let go of his toy nor did he lessen the tension.

“Wiggle it,” Brooke instructed.

I did so.

Brooke scoffed. “Put some effort into it.”

This time I pulled the rope six inches to the right, then six inches to the left.

A growl came from Benjamin, and I almost dropped the toy, but Brooke put a hand on my arm. “Look at his tail. He’s playing.”

She was right, his tail was wagging.

“Make him work for it,” Brooke instructed. “Pretend it’s a strength training exercise for you.”

I’d done a few of those with ropes. I could do this.

I never took my eyes off of Benjamin, but after a few minutes of playing, I found myself smiling at the way he would flatten against the floor to try to get more traction for his tugging. After a while, he stopped pulling so hard. “What’s wrong with him?” I asked, worried he was bored with the rope and was about to come after me.

“He’s getting tired. Next time he tugs, let go.”

I followed her instructions, and Benjamin retreated to the corner where he proceeded to gnaw on the toy.

“Good boy.” Brooke picked him up and sat in the other chair. Benjamin cocked his head to the side as she scratched his ears. “Pet him.”

I didn’t budge.

“Imagine how soft his fur is.”

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