Page 73

“Tell them we’ll see them in a bit,” Lena replied. “Hopefully we’ll see you two.”

Sage snickered. “Um, yeah, we’ll be there.” She disconnected the call. “Lena and Maya will meet you there,” Sage yelled out.

“Sounds good. But you guys have got to check out these puppies. I could take them all.”

“See you soon, Ariel.” Stassi disconnected the phone. She looked around the room and grimaced.

“My feelings exactly. I'm not really wanting to leave,” Sage shrugged. “But we have friends to see...”

Sage was glad that they had all quickly become friends, when it felt like it would never happen. It was much easier to have a loving relationship when everyone supported it.

“We should get dressed,” Stassi replied. She then tilted her head. “What do you think about puppies?”

“Love them.” She grinned as she looked around the living room. They had just returned from a conference in Chicago last week, and they didn’t have any travel plans for the next few months. “Well, we have some time to get a puppy used to us, and I would say that this place could use some energy.”

They didn’t say anything else on the subject as they got dressed and then left the apartment and drove the two blocks to Crater Street, where a parking lot was available. They held hands as they hurried to the area where the other women would be waiting for them. As they drew nearer, they heard the barking of dogs.

“We’re getting closer.” Sage laughed and they approached the table. Lena, May, Ariel, and Natalia were all playing with the puppies, as were a few other people. Stassi went over to join them as Sage saw this dog sitting in a corner, all alone. She knelt down, and he walked over to her. He was older than any of the rest, but he immediately laid his head in her lap as Sage ruffled the fur behind his ears.

“What’s your name?” she asked.

“It’s Rocks,” the woman stated, approaching her. “He’s older and, unfortunately, hasn’t had anyone that’s paid him much attention.”

“That is a shame,” Sage replied. She continued to pet him, and he looked cozy and comfortable with her.

“And who is this?” Stassi asked, kneeling beside them.

“His name is Rocks,” Sage replied. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He was a silver pitbull and seemed already emotionally attached. “He’s a great dog, don’t you think?”

Stassi stared at her. Sage grinned and then turned back to Rocks. “All pets, no matter what age, need a loving home.”

“Rocks’ human parents were just recently killed in a car accident. No one stepped up to care for him. It’s a sad story, but every sad story can still have a happy ending.”

“You sold me,” Stassi replied. And just like that, Stassi and Sage had their dog of choice. Rocks needed a loving home, but Sage didn’t realize how much she needed him. The three of them were destined to be a loving family forever.