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“How could they add one morecto that word, though?” Asher said. “They really can’t. It’s tragic.”

“It’s totally tragic,” I said. “They shouldn’t have used the name at all. There are so many other wordplays that wouldn’t be so maddening. Paws Here, for example.”

He smiled. “Fur-ever Friends.”

“Catitude.”

“Ooh, that’s a good one,” he said.

“It’s true, I should name animal shelters for a living.”

“It does take a very specific set of skills,” Asher said.

I laughed.

“What are you two talking about?” Dale asked before we could go on.

“Petsacular,” I said, and when he gave me a blank stare, I added, “A rearranged version ofspectacular.Well, one letter short.”

“It’s just wordplay,” he said. “It’s not supposed to be an anagram.”

“But it should’ve been,” Asher said.

“It’s too close,” I said, and we both laughed.

“So you’re a nerd too,” Dale said with a nod, as if finally understanding why I had been talking to Asher. Well…why hethoughtI had been talking to Asher.

“I told you she was,” Asher said.

“So why didn’t you send a real picture?” Dale asked. Why was he trying so hard to prove Asher had been fooled? Couldn’t he just accept this new reality and move on?

“Connection shouldn’t be about looks,” I said.

“You were testing him?” Dale asked. I really wished he’d leave. He was taking the fun out of this. Although once he left it wouldn’t be fun either. I’d have to tell Asher the truth, and that goofy grin he had on his face would be gone. But I’d have done him a favor. It was for the best. It would save him from a night of humiliation and being more hurt in the future.

Time seemed to go both fast and slow as I sat there, dodging specific questions, trying to keep answers vague, and pretendingto drink coffee all at the same time. This was too much thinking for summer vacation, and further proof that spontaneity was overrated.

Just when I started to wonder how much longer I could keep this up, Dale stood suddenly. “It’s time.”

“It’s time? Already?” Asher asked.

“Time for what?” I said.

“We have to go,” Asher said. “Dale’s family has this dinner party tonight. Hey, maybe you—”

“Can call him later,” Dale said, obviously not wanting Asher to extend me any sort of invite.

Asher gave me a grimace. “I’ll talk to you later, yeah?”

“Do you have to leave right now?” I asked. “Can’tyoustay for a little longer?”

Dale once again interrupted with “You were late.”

“I’m sorry,” Asher said, giving my hand a quick squeeze before standing up himself. “Next time.”

There wouldn’t be a next time. “Can he go without you?” I asked, softer this time, while giving him a pleading look that I hoped he couldn’t resist.

“I drove,” Asher said, dashing my hopes.