Page 17 of Taming Bull

Monica answered on the second ring. “Hey, I thought you’d be home by now. I’m all prepped and ready to make the best damn breakfast sandwiches you’ve ever tasted.”

God, I loved her. “You’re the best, and I will be home shortly, but remember how Stocks was talking about wanting a male dog?”

“You mean when we were ganging up on him and forcing him to roll over on Bull?”

As much as we’d denied it at the time, that was exactly what we’d done. “Yeah. That time. Well, there’s a dog outside of Safeway that really needs a home. He’s beautiful and mellow, with these big hound eyes that have melted me into a puddle of goo. There’s this little boy, and his parents are getting a divorce…” Emotion thickened my words, making me turn my back on the sight of Johnny sniffling and hugging BB.

“Wait. I’m confused. Thirty minutes ago, you were all torn up about some breakfast sandwich. Now, you want a dog?”

“You don’t sound confused. I mean, you pretty much nailed it.”

“But how did we get here?”

“Is that really important?” I asked.

“Call it curiosity.”

“Technically, it’s your fault.”

She chuckled. “Oh, I can’t wait to hear this.”

“It was your suggestion. You told me to stop by the store. I practically tripped over the dog coming out. It’s like the universe threw him directly into my path to soothe my broken heart. He’s animal therapy. Seriously, Moni, if you saw him, you’d understand.”

“I don’t know, Lil. This seems like the kind of big decision we should discuss as a group. What if someone’s allergic to or afraid of dogs?”

“All of the girls fawned over Boots when we went to the fire station. Nobody was allergic to him. I’ll keep Brahma in my room if you want. He’s four, well-trained, and good with kids. I’ll take him with me when I move out.”

“Brahma?” she asked. “As in Brahma like the bull? Is this about Bull?”

“No.” Okay, maybe a little, but she didn’t need to know that. “They call the dog BB because he’s a beabull, but his coloring reminds me of a Brahma bull, so I figured he can keep the initials so it’s not so confusing for him. Plus, he’ll have a much tougher sounding name.”

“Oh, God. Stop. Your logic is beginning to make sense to me, and I’ve never been more terrified in my life.”

“Don’t fight it. Embrace the crazy. It’s easier that way. You should see this guy. He’s so sweet and lovable and I have a plan to help the little boy feel better.”

And, Brahma would keep me busy. He’d take my mind off Bull and give me something to direct all my time and energy into.

“Please, Moni.”

“How badly do you want this dog? Quantify this decision for me.”

I’d grown up with dogs, so I knew all about their massive amounts of poop to clean up, and I was willing to take on the commitment. I glanced in the bag of groceries, trying to think of the best way to make her understand my obsession. “I’m letting ice cream melt as we speak.”

“Shit. Thatisserious.”

“Yeah. I have four days off before I start my apprenticeship. Four days that I can either mope around the house and drive you crazy, or get to know my dog.”

“This sounds like blackmail.”

She was considering it. I had to force myself not to jump for joy. “You call it blackmail, I call it honesty.”

“I really hate it when you mope.”

I fought a smile, knowing I had her. I couldn’t believe it. “Yeah, me too. You have the power to keep all that moping at bay. Moni, you could be a hero.”

“Goin’ a little overboard now, don’t you think?”

“Hey, go big, or go petless.” Now I just sounded like a dork.

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