Gray studied the dog. “Interesting. She doesn’t seem afraid of us. But oddly, she seems fixated on you, Lexi.”
That was true. The dog hadn’t stopped looking at me. I was starting to feel creeped out, primarily because the dog’s eyes seemed so focused and…intelligent.
“It’s the story of my life,” I said and froze as the dog took a couple of steps toward me.
“Relax, Lexi,” Gray said, noticing me stiffen. “She seems really sweet.”
The dog did seem friendly, and she wasn’t doing anything weird except continuing to look at me. Still, there was nothing wrong with cautious prudence. I just didn’t need to freak out or hyperventilate. One dog. I could handle this.
“I’m okay,” I said. “But don’t you think it’s strange the way she is staring at me?”
“She just likes you, I guess,” Gwen offered. “You shouldn’t worry. She’s not attacking or anything.”
“Yet,” I clarified. “It’s just, you know, I don’t get on well with animals—or most humans, for that matter. It’s…a problem.”
Just as I said the words, the dog padded over and sat calmly at my feet, looking up at me expectantly.
I froze. “Holy crap,” I breathed. “What’s it doing?”
“I think she wants you to pet her,” Gray said.
“But why?”
“Just pet her, Lexi,” Basia said. “It’s okay.”
I reached out and tentatively touched the top of her head. The dog didn’t move, so I swiped my hand lightly down the back of her head. Just as I withdrew my hand, the dog placed her chin on my knee.
Gwen melted. “Oh my gosh. She loves you. Look at that—an instant bond.”
“She really does seem to like you,” Gray observed. “Who would have thought?”
“Me,” I said. To my surprise, the dog wagged her tail. “She’s probably just sensing fear,” I muttered. “Like a shark. A cute, furry, golden shark.”
The dog wagged harder.
Basia laughed and came over to pet her, too. Women surrounded the dog, each offering gentle strokes and affectionate murmurs. Except for me. I had petted her once, and that was enough for me. But her chin stayed firmly on my knee. What the heck?
“Until we find her owners, let’s call her Ginger,” Basia said. “Her sassy red tint is super cute and lends itself to being called a Ginger.”
The dog suddenly gave one approving woof as if to confirm the branding decision.
“As the only other ginger in this group, I concur with that suggestion,” Gwen said, and we all had a good laugh.
“Well, I’m glad everyone has made a new friend, but can we finish lunch before she decides to follow us home?” I asked.
“Sure,” Basia said and returned to her seat. We used hand sanitizer after all the petting, but I saw the girls feeding Ginger some of their sandwiches. She stayed close to me, curling her entire body under the table so her head could remain on my lap. If I stopped touching her for two seconds, she nudged my arm pointedly. Once it nearly made me spill my water.
“Well, it’s official,” Gray said, raising her cup to me. “We couldn’t even pry her away with food. Ginger chose you, Lexi.”
“For what?” I asked.
“That remains to be seen,” Basia quipped. “But apparently you have a new shadow.”
“Against my will,” I muttered. “To tell you the truth, I’d trade my little black cloud for a dog, but I definitely don’t want both. Technically, I don’t want either.”
The girls laughed at me, but when no one was looking, I patted Ginger a few times on the head anyway.
Chapter Nine
