Page 105 of The Bad Girl List

“Tijuana was too much for me at the time. Too many people, too much noise. After months of isolation, I wasn’t ready for it.” Thinking back on Tijuana always makes me cringe, but I don’t hold back. Taking a breath, I plunge on. “While Thomas and the rest of the guys went to clubs and hung out at the swim-up bar, I stayed in the hotel room and got shit-faced by myself on the balcony overlooking the ocean. I couldn’t wait to get home.

“Then on the drive back, I saw Tequila. She was dragging her broken leg behind her as she limped along the side of the highway. I made Thomas pull over. We were all eating tacos from a street vendor and I wanted to feed the dog.

“The guys gave me shit for wanting to stop on the highway to feed a dog, but Thomas pulled over. I got out of the car and called to her, waving the tacos to get her attention. At first she wouldn’t come to me. She cowered and stayed a few feet away, refusing to come close enough to get the food. Thomas yelled at me to leave her and get back in the car, but for some reason, I couldn’t.

“I think it was because she looked so much worse up close. Her ribs were sticking out. She was skin and bones. I could tell her leg was infected. Her fur was covered with mange. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she died. She’d either get hit by a car or die from infection or starvation. Tequila looked on the outside how I felt on the inside. I decided I was going to bring her back with me. I didn’t have much of a plan beyond getting her to an emergency vet as soon as we got over the border.”

“So you bribed the border patrol, snuck her through, and saved her life?”

I nod. “The guys were pissed because it delayed our trip home for another two days, but once I paid for our hotel rooms and opened a bar tab, they forgave me.”

Dom laughs softly. “I’m surprised they didn’t build you a shrine if you paid for their bar tab for two whole days.”

“They have been known to ask when we’re going to go to Tijuana to get me a second dog.” I rub the back of my neck. “Finding Tequila gave me purpose. A reason to get up and leave the house, you know? I had to go to the store for her, take her to her vet appointments, set an alarm clock to make sure she got her medication at the right time every day. She gave me purpose.

“After a few weeks of taking care of her, I realized I was better. She got me out of my dark place. My family gives me shit about her because I spend more time with her than with them.”

Dom nods, eyes intent on my face as she listens. I’m not sure why I’m telling her this, except that I want her to understand how much my dog means to me. I want her to know how much it means to me that my crazy dog likes her.

“Are you saying your dad brought me out as part of an elaborate plot to come between you and your dog?”

I chuckle. “Maybe. I wouldn’t put it past my dad.”

She reaches across the table and takes my hand, her fingers gently pressing my palm. “Your parents really care about you.”

“They do.” I close my hand around hers, wishing there wasn’t a table between us.

When our eyes meet, she extracts her hand.

“Are you finished eating?” she asks. “I really need to get home.”

“Okay.” I wrap up the remains of my burrito for later. I don’t want Dom to leave, but I’ve stalled her long enough. At least she’s talking to me again and some of the tension has eased. We have a three-mile walk to the barn, and I plan to make the best of every second.

CHAPTER 33

Kiss

DOMINIQUE

Trevor wasn’t kidding when he said the barn was three miles away. It takes us almost an hour to walk to it. I’m glad I’m in my shorts and hiking boots.

We keep the conversation light. Trevor talks about his farming techniques, about all the natural methods he uses to enrich the soil. I ask questions, filing away tidbits of information. Tequila hops along beside us, her tongue hanging out.

“Your dad was pretty evil today,” I say, “but it’s really beautiful out here.” I gesture to the surrounding vineyards. “I wish I had time to sit and draw. I’m getting a million label ideas.”

Trevor smiles at me. “We can sit for a while if you want. I don’t have anywhere to be.”

I shake my head. I need to get away from Trevor. I can already feel him seeping back into my bones, and I don’t want to risk setting myself up for more heartache.

“I really need to get back. My family doesn’t know where I am. I’ll start drawing as soon as I get back to the VRBO.”

He nods, a pained look briefly flashing across his features. He falls silent as we continue to walk.

We reach the barn. It’s a beautiful old thing made of weather-beaten wood. It has soul, just like Trevor’s truck.

“God, it’s so beautiful,” I say, stopping to admire the barn and the vineyards that surround it.

“I should have guessed you’d love it.” Trevor pushes open one of the huge doors. “Come check out the inside. I’m making compost tea.”

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