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Right. I’m just here to work.
At that moment, Liza really took Books in. His hair appeared to be wet and he smelled like shaving cream. He wore a black t-shirt that said UnderDogs with a white silhouette of a large dog in the right hand corner. Gray sweatpants and tennis shoes completed his casual outfit.
There was a hardness to his demeanor that Liza didn’t remember being there in high school. Like he was wearing invisible armor. Speaking of arms… His were jacked.Did carrying around books make you ripped?Liza would be willing to try it if that was the key to mad fitness.
While she was sizing him up, he appeared to be doing the same to her. Breaking the silence, he asked, “What are you wearing?”
“So glad you asked.” Liza stood and twirled so he could get a full view. “These are my colorblock overalls.”
“Aren’t they a little… bright?”
“Who says work clothes have to be boring? Besides, neon yellow and cobalt blue are an ode to our chem study group days. Also, they’re two of my favorite colors and very on trend this season.”
Skirting over her chem group reference, Books replied, “Hate to break it to you, but your fancy overalls are gonna get wrecked. In the future, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty… and smelly.”
Liza scrunched up her nose. Maybe she didn’t fully realize what she was getting into.
“Sign here,” Books commanded as he slid a piece of paper toward her.
“What’s this?”
“A liability waiver.”
“Are the dogs dangerous?” Liza tensed.
Miller explained, “All volunteers are required to sign one. It just says you release UnderDogs of any responsibility should an unforeseen accident occur.”
Liza signed. After all, what choice did she have?
“Ready to meet the dogs?” he asked.
She held up the yellow book. “What about the test you mentioned?”
“Oh I just said that so you’d actually read it. I assumed you didn’t have any dog experience.”
“You know what they say about assuming…” Liza said with a smirk.
Miller crossed his arms. “That I’m really good at it? Case in point:Haveyou ever owned a dog?”
“Well… no, but… I think they’re really cute, and if I went to a friend's house that had one, they always really liked me.”
Books was giving off boss vibes and showing no inkling of remembering their former friendship. She didn’t blame him, though. The look in his eyes when she had disappointed him all those years ago was seared into her heart.
“Okay, so you have zero dog experience. When we enter the kennel area, be confident and calm. Dogs can sense your energy and generally reflect it back. We want them to get to know you, but trust takes time.” Miller put his hand on the door handle, pushed his way inside, and held it open for her to follow.
As Liza took a step in, she saw chain link dog kennels along each wall. Dogs stood wagging their tails. Liza was surprised they weren’t barking. They just looked eager and happy.
“Oh they’re so cute,” she cooed.
Miller pointed to a kennel with a big caramel brown dog. “This one’s mine. His name is Snowdrop.”
“He’s beautiful,” Liza replied. “What kind is he?”
“A boxer/pitbull mix.”
“Snowdrop, huh? Not the name I would imagine for your dog.”
Liza thought she saw a little color flush in Miller’s cheeks.
