I roll my eyes, but it’s half-hearted. “How was your date?”
His expression changes immediately, his mouth flattening as he exhales through his nose. “Hot.”
I nod once. “And?”
“Dumb as rocks.”
I clamp my lips together, trying not to laugh and failing. “That seems to be a theme for you.”
“I like a challenge,” he says dryly. “Just not one that involves explaining what a nonprofit is.”
“That does feel like a low bar.”
“Ain’t low enough, apparently.”
I shake my head, smiling as I set the clipboard down and head toward the kennels. The morning picks up quickly after that, feeding, cleaning, and checking on a new intake that came in late last night, a skinny little thing with too-big ears and eyes that haven’t decided they trust us yet.
I’m crouched down by his kennel, speaking gently, letting him come to me instead of reaching in too fast, when the front door opens.
The change in the room is subtle, but I notice it. Voices drop a little, and movement slows just enough to catch my attention. I look up, and there she is.
Ivy steps in first, her backpack slipping off one shoulder, and warm brown curls bouncing as she looks around like she’salready halfway inside before her feet catch up. Behind her is a woman I haven’t met, tall, blonde, and put together in a precise way, watching Ivy carefully. Just behind them is the man I recognize from yesterday, with that same quiet presence and watchful eyes, taking everything in without drawing attention.
“Hi, Maggie,” Ivy says, already moving toward me like she’s been here a dozen times instead of once.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I say, pushing up to stand and brushing my hands on my jeans. “You made it back.”
“She asked her father three times before bed last night,” the woman says, her accent faint but there, her tone polite but firm. “He said she could stay for thirty minutes.”
I glance at Ivy, who winces just a little.
“Thirty?” I echo.
“Thirty,” the woman confirms.
“Well,” I say, lowering my voice like we’re sharing something important. “We better make it count.”
Ivy grins.
Jules appears at my shoulder like he’s been waiting for this moment all morning. “Well, look who came back.”
Ivy glances at him, recognition clicking in right away. “Hi, Jules.”
He presses a hand to his chest like he’s been personally honored. “She remembers my name. I’m touched.”
She studies him for a second, then nods once, like that settles it.
“That’s it?” he asks, offended. “That’s all I get after making such a strong impression yesterday?”
“Yes.”
I snort, turning away before he can see it.
“Ruthless,” he mutters.
“Come on,” I say, motioning Ivy toward the kennels. “We’ve got someone new you need to meet.”
The puppy is still in the corner when we walk up, watching us with those big, unsure eyes. I crouch down again, resting my arms loosely on my knees. “He came in late last night. We’re still figuring him out.”
