Page 15 of Mr. Green

“Yeah. That’s a good idea.”

“Okay. Give me a moment.”

As I’m waiting, I step to the side and look out the window at the dogs. There’s a small one running in circles after his tail. There’s another one in a different section wrestling and playing with a guy. My eyes stay glued, watching them roll around when I notice the man bun, the broad shoulders, and the beard. My stomach starts doing flips.

Grant is here.

He’s more attractive than I want to admit dressed in gray sweatpants and a blue T-shirt with the word “volunteer” pasted across the back.He volunteers here?That’s so sweet. He seems like such a good guy. My head tilts to the side as I gawk at him.

Lana, remember he’s a guy. You’re staying away from them.

I nod my head, listening to the directions of my brain. Jenny comes back in, holding out two choices of collars, three leashes, and the form.

“Which one?”

I pick a purple leash and collar. Then I get to work on my form. I hear the door open, but don’t look over.

“Oh, boy.” The familiar voice sounds behind me. “Did you let her in to the shelter? Keep your eye on her, Jenny. The last time she was here, she opened all the gates because she wanted to free all the animals.”

I look around to see who this crazy person is. I make eye contact with Grant who is smirking atmewith arrogance and mischief playing in his eyes. Jenny is now staring at melike I’m going to break for the kennels any moment.

“I wouldn’t–” I stutter. “That’s not–” My face is getting hotter and hotter. I point at me and shake my head no. “He’s kidding. I wouldn’t do that,” I manage.

Jenny is eyeing me suspiciously.

Then Grant starts laughing. The tension from the room erases. “You should’ve seen your face, Sunshine.”

“Do you know her?” Jenny asks, pointing to me—the crazy person.

“Yeah. She’s harmless. I just like to give her a hard time.” He walks away, taking the dog he was wrestling with to the kennel.

I roll my eyes and get back to my form. I look down and mutter, “Idiot.” The sooner I get out of here, the better.

“Here you go, Jenny.” I hand over my form.

She’s staring after Grant like he’s God’s gift to women. I know that stare. I do it to him all the time.

I clear my throat. “Jenny.”

“Oh, sorry. Distracted.”

I give a small grin.

“The total will be nineteen dollars. Would you like to donate?”

“Sure.” I hand over my card. She hands me the leash and I walk out of there before I get distracted looking at Grant too.

~

I open the door to my apartment and the dog runs in. I get her some water and head to my shower, but I think the dog may need one first before I let her roam around my place. To the guest bathroom we go.

I start the water and find some soap. The guest bathroom has a tub-shower combination, so I lift the dog into the tub. These workouts are really paying off, this must be a forty-pound dog and here I am, lifting her up to get her washed like she weighs nothing.

Once she’s all clean, she shakes.

“Ahhhh! Good thing I haven’t showered yet,” I say under my breath.

Now water is all over the bathroom and myself. I dry her off and then pull out the blow dryer to make sure the rest of my place doesn’t smell like wet dog. Before I start the blow dryer, I make sure to wipe up the floor as best as I can and then start on drying her. She’s rubbing against me, wagging her tail, happy to be clean.