“It’s okay, isn’t it, big guy? Come see me.”
She doesn’t shy away from my ninety-pound ball of fur. No, she pats her legs and eggs him on until he pulls loose from my grip on his collar. I only let him go because I know he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Where most people are cautious around a strange German shepherd they’ve never met, Mason has no reservations. She squats down and isn’t just petting my dog, she’s hugging him while he licks her face.
And just like that, I’m jealous of my dog.
“Hi, sweetheart, what’s your name?”
“Mason, meet Lou.”
“Hi, Lou. It’s nice to meet you, buddy.” She spots his ball next to her foot and throws it for him.
Smart girl.
Wiping the dog fur off her dress, she stands. “He’s sweet.”
“Sweet Lou, that’s what I call him.”
“It fits. He’s adorable.”
Lou is back and drops the ball at her feet. She bends down to get the ball and then pretends to whisper in his ear.
“Does your daddy ever work?”
“Uh, what do you call what I was doing for the past three hours?” I ask incredulously at her insinuation.
She throws the ball again but doesn’t reply.
“Hey, have you been to The Jury Room yet?”
“I can’t say that I have.”
“Well, you haven’t really been to Eastlyn if you haven’t been to The Jury Room. How about you let me take you to lunch to say sorry for Lou’s behavior.”
“Hmm…”
“What do you say?”
“Sure, what the heck.”
That’s what I’m talking about!
Bless you, Katie Sandoval.
“I’m all done here, so if you’re ready, I’m ready. I’ll just take Lou to the truck and meet you out front.”
“Sure. I just need to put on some shoes, and I’m ready to go. Meet you out there.”
Lou and I head around the side of the house to make our way to the truck, both of us with a little extra spring in our step.
“I knew you’d like her, buddy. She’s pretty cool, isn’t she?”
He barks in agreement when I let him in the crew cab of the truck, and then I hop in the front to get the engine started and the air conditioning pumping while I wait for her.
When she floats through the front door, I can’t get out of the truck fast enough to get the passenger side door open for her. She glides down the front steps, and her honey blond hair is blowing on a breeze I can’t even feel.
“Milady.”
I make an effort of escorting her into the truck, and she’s so distracted giving my so-called man’s best friend scratches behind the ear that I’m pretty sure my display goes unnoticed. I shut the door and make my way around to the driver's side of the truck in shock. I am legitimately jealous of my dog.