Page 70 of Hooked On Him

He intertwines his fingers with mine, and I can’t help the dopey grin on my face as he pulls me towards the food trucks. “What are you feeling like?”

“Ummm.” I look around at the trucks, then pull Austin over to one owned by one of my favorite restaurants. “I’m thinking poutine.”

“Mhhhm.” He grins. “Fuck yes. With extra cheese and gravy.”

“Only way to eat it.” I laugh.

We order our food, and Austin insists on paying for it. I let him, knowing there’s no point in arguing with him.

Finding a spot on the grass, we sit and eat, watching the rest of the festivities going on around us.

“Thanks for helping out today,” I tell him. “It really means a lot. I don’t think it would have gone as well as it had if we didn’t have the extra hands. How did you end up getting the whole team to come?”

“I have my ways.” He winks. “Mostly guilted them into it by telling them about the sad, lonely animals in need of homes like you did with me.”

“Nice.” I laugh.

He spits out a piece of cat hair. “Ew.” he looks down at himself. “Ugh, I’m covered in cat hair. Good thing they are too cute to be mad at.”

“You're going to have to change before we go home.” I grin. “Don’t want Snicklefritz to be jealous.”

“As if I’d choose any other cat over my baby,” he huffs. “He has nothing to worry about.”

His baby. Ugh. Does he know what he’s doing to me?

Once we’re done, we put everything in the trash. “Hey. I wanna check on something.” I tell Austin.

“Okay.” He follows me over to where the dogs are. Some are in cages, some are out on leashes, depending on their temperament and what they’re comfortable with.

“Hey, Abby. Is he still here?” I ask her, praying she says no.

She gives me a sad look, and my heart sinks. “Yeah,” she says. “No one’s even looked his way. I don’t get it. He’s the best boy ever. I’m honestly trying not to cry right now.”

She looks over to the tiny gray Chihuahua curled up in the dog bed at her feet. He’s lying in the sun, snoozing away.

Tears spring to my eyes, and Austin looks at me with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I laugh, rubbing at my eyes, hating how emotional I’m getting. “I just feel so damn bad for Peanut.”

“Who’s Peanut?” Austin asks, looking around.

Bending down, I carefully pick up Peanut. “Austin, meet Peanut.”

Austin blinks down at the old chihuahua. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Nothing!” I gasp. “There’s nothing wrong with Peanut.”

Peanut stares up at Austin, his little tongue hanging out because he has no teeth.

“Is that a dog?” he questions, squinting at it. “Why is it so ugly?”

“That’s it. We’re breaking up.” I huff, covering Peanut’s ears. “Don’t listen to the mean man. You’re very handsome.”

“Whoa, now! Let’s not be hasty.” Austin holds up his hand. “Okay, fine. He’s kind of cute. If I close my eyes.”

“Austin.” I groan.

“Sorry.” He chuckles.