Page 71 of Positively Pricked
"But wait, I thought you already hauled it into the house."
"Not all of it," I said. "In fact, that's why I left the stupid van door open in the first place. We had more stuff to take in."
"Like what?" she asked.
"Like, we had these little meatballs, some bacon and artichoke wraps, these cute little finger sandwiches, all kinds of stuff."
Charlotte said, "And the dogs got into it?"
"Not all of it. But enough to make a huge mess." In spite of everything, I couldn't help but smile at the memory of how happy they'd looked, frolicking among the catering goods.
"So," Charlotte prompted, "what'd you do?"
"Well, at first, I don't do anything, because I'm sure they're gonna bolt out of there any minute."
"But they don't?"
"No," I said. "They don't. And they won't, evenafterI call to them. I mean, there they are, surrounded by meatballs."
Charlotte winced. "You don't mean they—"
"Got into them? Yeah, they totally did. The other stuff was sealed up pretty good, but the meatballs broke from their container and rolled all over the place."
"Sothen, what'd you do?"
"Well, I've got to get the dogs outta there, right? So I hop into the van and grab a wad of meatballs off the floor."
"A wad?"
"You know, a handful. And I start tossing them out the back of the van. And I'm yelling, 'Fetch, doggie, fetch!'"
Charlotte laughed. "Doggie?"
"That was before I knew their names."
"Well, that explains everything," she said. "So did they? Fetch, I mean?"
"Not at first, because they've got all this meatinsidethe van. I mean, they'd be stupid to leave, right?"
Charlotte rolled her eyes. "Totally."
"So anyway, before I know it, I've thrown like fifty meatballs. And they're scattered all over the parking area." I sighed. "And I might've hit a valet or two."
Charlotte was laughing again. "You didn't."
"Hey, you know I've got the worst aim in the world." I glanced away. "And if you think I can't throw a meatball, you should see me throw a shoe."
"Wait," Charlotte said. "Why would you throw a shoe?"
I waved away the question. "Don't ask."
Charlotte was shaking her head. "I can't believe I'm just hearing this. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Honestly, it was a little embarrassing."
"Just a little?" She looked beyond amused. "So why are you telling me now?
My gaze shifted to the wine. "I dunno."
