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“Sounds good. Did you bring towels or anything?”

“The center provided some, I think.” A folded stack sat on the edge of the pool. “There.”

“I can be on towel duty too.”

“That works. Thanks for helping, by the way.”

“Of course. This should be entertaining.”

“I hope so.” I looked down at Bean. “You’ll be entertaining,right?”

He gave me a happy bark.

“He said yes,” I informed Chad.

“Of course he did.”

Movement across the pool caught my eye. Asher and Kamala were heading our way. My cheeks were going red. They really had a mind of their own lately. I squatted down and began petting Bean. “This is it, boy. I feel good about today.”

He licked my face.

Asher arrived and I was still down by Bean.

“Hey, guys,” he said. He held his fist out for Chad, who bumped it half-heartedly. “I didn’t know you were coming today.”

“Yeah,” Chad said. “I came for Wren.”

Well, that sounded loaded. I bit my lip and looked up. “We ran into each other at the shelter. His shift was over.”

Kamala nodded as if that answered any questions she might have had when Chad and I walked in together.

“You guys got here early,” I said.

“I just got here,” Kamala said. “Right before you. I don’t know how long he’s been here.” She glanced over at Asher.

“Not long,” he said. “I was too excited to stay at home any longer.” He squatted down next to me and greeted Bean. “Hey, boy. You ready for today?” Bean’s tail went crazy. “Everyone is going to love you.”

Asher and I were shoulder to shoulder and he looked at me. “It’s been a couple of days. How are you?” he asked in a soft voice.

“Good, so much gooder. Better. I’m better. Than last time, I mean. Last time was…it was whatever.”

“I’m glad you’re gooder,” he said with a smirk.

I nudged his shoulder with mine. “How are you?”

“The goodest.”

“You like to make fun of me.”

A smile stretched across his adorable face. “I really do.”

I stood. Asher did as well. Bean seemed to finally notice Kamala and he snorted at her.

“Rude,” she said.

Chad laughed.

“Let’s go over how this is going to work,” I said.