Page 129 of Buy Back My Love

“You speak to my dog before me?”

“He happier to see me.”

Van smiled. “You’re lucky you look good tonight.”

I stood back up. “Where your bathroom at before me and Plum embarrass ourselves?”

“Down the hall. Second door on the left.”

I hurried down the hall, and on my way back I finally got a chance to look around. His house was clean. Like, really clean. His shoes were lined up near the door, the living room was straight, and there wasn’t random stuff piled everywhere. Even the blanket on the couch was folded.

“You always keep your house this clean?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. I see you.”

Van frowned. “What?”

“Nothing. I just wasn’t expecting all this.”

“All what?”

“Your house actually being clean.”

“Why wouldn’t it be clean?”

“I don’t know. You a man.”

He shook his head while Snoop followed us toward the door. I stopped to rub the dog’s head one more time.

“I really love this dog.”

“He loves you too.”

“I think I want me one.”

Van looked at me. “A Doberman?”

“Absolutely not. I need something little.”

“So you want a purse dog.”

“Don’t call my future dog no purse dog. I want something small and fluffy. Something that can sleep in my bed.”

“You want a little spoiled dog.”

“Exactly.”

I gave Snoop one last scratch. “Bye, handsome.”

When we got outside, I pulled my keys from my purse and held them out to Van.

“You driving.”

He took them without arguing. “Come on.”

The party was already going when we got to the banquet room at Original Oyster House. Christmas lights ran around the room, with big red bows hanging here and there, and most of the tables were already full of Van’s coworkers and whoever they had brought with them.