Page 124 of Just One Season
I laugh. “It’s a live video feed of the kennel.”
“Is this that dog palace place?”
“The Delightful Doggy Palace. It’s where he goes to for doggy day care a few days a week.”
January shakes her head at me, but she’s got a smile peeking out.
“I bet you could get a ton of followers for him on social media if you shared some of his ridiculous stories.”
I hate the dread in my stomach that manifests whenever I think about handing over that dog for good. It was never, ever supposed to be permanent. I simply accepted him when my ex dumped him on me. I’d give him one last adventure and find a good home for him in Colorado, a better dog environment than D.C.
In hindsight, I bet he would’ve been snapped up by a nice family at a shelter in D.C. Not be fed to a snake like I’d feared. Still, I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t shove the little dog back into Ron’s arms that day at my door.
The wordbearmakes me think of the name Kellen gave him when we went hiking. I groan and close my eyes.
“You’ll start a new life here, Lulu.”
I open my eyes, and January covers my hand with hers. “Don’t let a dog or a hot hockey player lead you astray.”
“But January, what if?—”
“What if what? Did Kellen confess his love to you on that bathroom floor?”
“It wasn’t the floor.”
“The wall?”
I shake my head. “The counter.”
“Lovely. Did he beg you to stay?”
“No.”
“Did he evenaskyou to stay?”
I move my head slowly from side to side. He hadn’t. What would I have done if he had? If Lina had offered me a job? I could continue with the life I’m building in Fort Collins. Working for the Blizzard. Hanging out with Atticus and the hockey boys. Maybe even be Coach Lucy to Ava on a more permanent basis.
But that’s not what happened.
“He didn’t ask me to stay.” And I didn’t ask him if he wanted me to.
January is quiet for a moment.
“Girl, he should’ve begged you.” Stella sips her wine and watches me with clear blue eyes.
I sigh. “That was a weird night.”
“Sure was. Did I tell you that I talked to Savannah for a while?” January twirls her wine glass. “You were chatting to Lina.”
“No, you didn’t.” I furrow my brow.
“Hmm. Yeah. She was interesting. Did you know she has her law degree? And was studying for the Virginia bar before she moved to Colorado?”
“Kellen said something about her going to law school.”
“Yeah. I don’t even know how it came up. But then I told her I did one semester of law school and quit. She thought it was hilarious.”
“Sounds like you had fun with her.” I raise my eyebrows.
