Page 55 of Hound Dog
Like my mom. She got busy. And I was her priority. Not the list.
Which truly, if she were here, I was pretty sure she’d say she wouldn’t have had it any other way. But as much as I loved my mom, I didn’t want to live my life like her.
Sure, I wanted to have a kid someday that I was close with… just like she and I were. But I wanted a life and identity outside of ‘mom’ and ‘vocal coach.’
Another line on his list caught my eye.
Have a conversation with my father.
“You’ve never called your dad?”
He stilled but didn’t look up from where he was pouring my guacamole into a different container. “Oh, I’ve called him. It’s just always from a payphone. And I hang up as soon as he answers.”
“Pay phones are still a thing?”
This time when he paused, he looked up at me, amusement in his eyes.
“That’s your takeaway?”
I shrugged.
He smiled. And man was he cute when he smiled.
Crap.
“Maple Grove still has a pay phone. I’m sure he’s figured it out by now that it’s one of his kids calling him and hanging up. You know, based on the area code or whatever. But still. I can’t bring myself to actually say hi, let alone have a conversation.”
I grabbed one of his other empty Tupperware containers and scooped the diced tomatoes into it. “He’s had the same number for six years. That’s promising, right? Maybe he’s settled down somewhere?”
Finn shrugged and popped another tortilla chip in his mouth. “Maybe. Or maybe it’s just a cell phone. Someday, I’ll talk to him when I call. But one thing’s for sure,today’snot that day.”
I tilted my chin. “Why not?”
“Because. I’ve got an avocado trophy to win.”
Chapter Sixteen
Finn
My client,Simon, sat at an outdoor table at Latté Da, enjoying an iced coffee while Rosie sat in his lap, licking the small paper cup filled with whipped cream that Lex gave to all dogs who came into his cafe.
Haylee and I stood behind the stupid hotdog cart, watching from afar. I hit mute on my microphone and leaned in to whisper into Haylee’s ear. “I don’t know if this is going to work.”
“Why not?”
For starters, Simon was a self-proclaimed introvert. He said he liked movie nights at home with popcorn. Playing video games. Cooking. He took a weekly trip to the ice cream store for soft serve on Sundays. And while yes, Rosie was a good lap dog and super sweet, she was still barking at every dog that walked by.
Decidedlynotchill.
And so far, the few women who had stopped by to chat with him and pet Rosie didn’t seem to match the nerdy-cute vibe he had going. Most were wearing short shorts, bright lipstick and platform shoes.
Not exactly the kind of girl I saw wanting a quiet night in. At least not night after night.
Pursing my lips, I shook my head and simply answered, “It’s just a gut feeling.”
A woman came up to us with her two kids. “What’s a Completo dog?” she asked.
Haylee grinned at them. “It’s a traditional Chilean hotdog with onions, tomatoes, guacamole, and mayonnaise.”
