Page 9 of Wrapped Around My Heart
Dean
“All right,pretty girl, let’s see if we can tire ourselves out.”
Cora’s tail wags in response, her entire back half wiggling with the excited movement. I grab her harness, impressed by how she manages to stand still and step easily into the contraption. It took me an entire week to figure out how to get the front leading harness on without struggling. For a puppy, this girl has the patience of a saint.
The second the leash clicks into place, she bounds toward the door where she sits and waits for me.
“Hold on. We can’t forget the essentials,” I tell her, grabbing the Bobcats themed fanny pack off the island and buckling it around my waist. I unzip the front pouch, quickly double-checking that there are plenty of poop bags and training treats inside. After I’ve added my wallet, keys, and phone, I join Cora by the door.
She stays seated and after a quick praise and scratch behind her ear, we’re leaving for our afternoon walk. As we wait for the elevator, Cora investigates everything her nose can reach, while I think about these past three weeks with her.
I had been expecting a difficult puppy transition period. Cady had made sure to warn me of all the not-so-pretty sides ofraising a dog. However, Cora has been an absolute dream. Aside from her first night at my place, where she wouldn’t stop crying in the kennel until I turned on some cartoon show meant for kids in the living room. Within five minutes, she was out like a light. She’s only had a couple pee accidents inside, and a pair of old sandals met their doom to her puppy teeth last week. Other than that, she’s adjusted more beautifully than I had hoped.
The elevator dings its arrival and Cora rushes on. I’d been so nervous that she’d be scared of the elevators and I’d struggle to get her outside to go to the bathroom, but I’m learning that there’s not much that does bother her.
Cora sits beside me just as we come to a stop much too soon to be at the lobby. I glance up, tightening my hold on the leash just in case whoever wants to go down doesn’t want a puppy greeting them. When the doors slide open, though, I relax, a smile stretching across my face as I take in the shocked expression of the waiting beauty.
“Goin’ down?” I joke and that seems to snap Arianna into moving. She grins, but it’s not directed at me.
“Oh my God. Finally!” Ari launches herself into the elevator and immediately drops to her knees in front of Cora. “Look at you!”
While she talks to my dog in one of those adorable high-pitched and excited tones, I try not to think about any of the other times Ari has been on her knees in front of me.
The last thing I need is to get a boner right before going on a walk.
“Dean.” She gasps, finally acknowledging me as Cora licks her chin. “She is absolutely perfect.”
I grin, loving the fact that my dog clearly likes her. “She really is. Best decision ever.”
The ding announces our arrival at the lobby and Ari stands, her hand lingering on Cora’s head.
“What brings you to this side of town?” I ask, slapping my hand out to block the doors from closing and nodding for her to get off first.
“Mom sent me to bring leftovers from last night since you guys were away yesterday.” She glances over her shoulder at me as she pushes open the glass door that leads to the street. “Landon has your container.”
“Score. What’d she make last night?” I ask and Ari falls into step beside me. Her mom makes the best food, so there’s no doubt that whatever she sent will be delicious.
I had felt a little guilty missing last night’s dinner, after hearing how disappointed their parents were at my skipping dinner the week prior, but there’s not much I can do when there’s an away game. Plus, in my defense, I wasn’t going to assume they’d be okay with a puppy in their house…
“Her white lasagna and apple pie.”
“Aw, hell yeah.” I fist bump but get distracted by Cora leading me over to the small patch of grass that’s in front of the building. Ari lingers while Cora does her business and my heart skips a beat.
“Taking a walk or do you gear up like this every time you take her out to pee?” Ari’s gaze flicks down to my waist and she smirks. I pat the fanny pack, completely unbothered.
“Only when we’re walking. Makes life so much easier rather than having my pockets weighed down.”
She laughs just as Cora makes her way back to my side and sits. I unzip my pack, grab one of the treats, and give it to her as a reward.
“Where are you heading off to now?” I ask as we continue to stand in front of my building. Ari shrugs, fidgeting with the strap of her small cross-body bag.
“Back home. Dropping the food off was the only thing I had to do today.”
“No work?” I wonder out loud, considering she’s always attached to her laptop or tablet.
She sighs. “I’m trying this thing where I give myself weekends off. It’s really freaking hard. I’ll probably still end up doing something while I watch a movie later tonight.”
“Days off are a struggle for me too,” I say, laughing lightly. If anyone understands how hard it is to simply relax, it’s me. I hold up Cora’s leash. “If you need a distraction, you’re welcome to join us. There’s a dog park two blocks over that she loves.”
