Page 99 of DadBod

“Hey.”

Moving closer to her bed, Ryann pushes herself up and leans back onto the headboard. “How was your day?”

“Fine.”

Sitting on the edge of her bed, I want to reach out and hug her, but she’s too far away. “Saw you working with that dog today.”

“You did?”

I did. I left after visiting the puppy area. The restaurant was calling.

“I’m impressed.”

“You are?” Her voice sounds lighter with that question.

“I am. Bernie and Elizabeth went on and on at how you’d worked miracles with Charlie. I got the feeling Bernie would hire you full-time.”

“You think?” Her voice is getting happier.

“Maybe. You’ll need to wait a couple of years, but I wouldn’t be surprised. You could keep volunteering there if you’d like.”

“I haven’t worked with any other dogs though. Does Bernie think I would be good with other animals?”

Hell. I don’t know any of that. “All I know is he said that Charlie’s almost ready to go into foster care.”

“Foster care? What’s that?”

“Charlie will go live with someone until he’s ready to adopt.”

My girl is suddenly quiet and sullen. “Charlie will be gone?”

“That’s how it works. They want to find good homes for those animals. Something much better than they had before.”

Ryann’s staring down at her hands now. “I wish I could have him.”

“Honey…” I don’t have an answer for that except “We’re too busy for a dog.”

“You are. I’m not.”

“It wouldn’t work. When school starts again, you and Cal will be busy with school stuff, and a dog would be home alone. That’s not fair to an animal, especially one like Charlie.”

She nods, but I don’t think it’s sinking in.

“Would you like to go out to lunch with me tomorrow?”

Her head shoots up quickly. “Lunch?”

“Just you and me.”

“Just you and me?”

“Yep.” I smile because I can tell by her response, she likes this idea. “Maybe we could do a little shopping. Maybe you’d like a new swimsuit or something.”

“A swimsuit?”

“Yeah.” Oh, shit. I guess Elizabeth didn’t mention this to her. “Aren’t you invited to a pool party or something?”

Nodding, she replies, “Sunday.”

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