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He tossed his wavy hair to the side as he felt her tummy area. “Everything looks good with Dolly. Keep an eye on her ear canals—they look good, but if I were you, I’d make a grooming appointment soon so she can have them cleaned.”
I was happy to report that she’d be getting groomed tomorrow. He nodded.
“It appears she’s already been spayed by this small incision here.” He pointed to it, which I came closer, and saw with my own eyes. “That’s great news. I was wondering about that.” I remembered my clipboard, picked it up, and started filling in some of the blanks.
5 lbs. 2-3 years old. Spayed.
When I looked back up, he was looking at me, his hands once again on his hips, indicating he was done with his exam. “I like your matching raincoats.” He wasn’t moving, just honed in on me with an intense gaze.
“Oh, thank you, it was an accident and now it’s too late for either one of us to change,” I smirked, now feeling better after having two reinforcements about our outfits. “So now what? For Dolly. I admit I’m a little overwhelmed by all of this, you see I wasn’t anticipating pet ownership and now I would appreciate any insight you can provide. Do we need anything? Can you recommend supplements, special food or...?” The longer I went on without him saying anything, the more I lost my train of thought and was feeling a little surprised by his brazen gaze still on me.
“How about dinner? Last I checked, we all needed food.”
I was floored.
“I’m free tonight if you are?” He picked Dolly up and brought her back over to my arms. Dolly wasn’t shaking and didn’t seem to mind him.
Once I read something in a magazine at the doctor's office waiting room about dogs knowing who wasgoodand who wasbad,instinctively.
My mind went back to my—Ourplaydate—with Eli, who said he had 90 minutes, so that would give me plenty of time to prepare for adate.
“I am available tonight. Where would you like to meet?” I said this knowing it wouldn’t—itcouldn’tbe my apartment. My mother would have a field day if a stranger knew where I lived. Once, in response to her worrying about someone driving me home (the date I refused my bathroom to), I asked her, “What about the mailman? What about my neighbors? They all know whereI live.”To which she replied, “It’s always someone the victim knows, Katie. Wow. Don’t tell me you are that naive.”
He didn’t miss a beat. “How about Decarlo’s on 19th and Fremont?”
Okay, afancyplace. Luckily, those Mary Janes were in my closet, justgathering dust.
“That will be fine.” I realized I didn’t know what time, but thankfully, he looked at his watch and was apparently a mind reader. I hoped not.
“How about at six?”
I nodded and said something that didn’t evenremotelycome out right. I wanted to say, “Sounds good,” but then decided, “See you then,” and it came out unimaginable.
“See you good.” He looked at me, puzzled, and laughed.
Then, to my horror, he repeated it.“See you good, Katie.”
I walked out of the room feeling stunned, as if I’d been the one who had my temperature takenrectally,and silently slipped up to the woman at the desk. There was a man in the lobby redoing the outside window. Instead of readingMichael Wylons, DVMlike it did when I walked in, it was being updated toTaylor Wylons DVM.The woman at the desk, who I remembered as Patty, stood up andsmiled at me, and I felt it was a personal question when she asked,“Howdid Dr. Wylons do today?”
Either the walls werejust that thin,or she was this friendly to everyone. I felt myself busting up with giggles, and I whispered that we were going on a date tonight. I wasn’t halfway through the sentence when I regretted it, though, because the look on her face provedshe didn’t hear a thing.Rather, she was clearlyhorrifiedto hear it. She sat back down and nodded to me.
“I know, he’s alittledreamboat.” Was all she said. Does that mean—does she have feelings for him? What have I gotten myself into? I didn’t know what to do. “What’s the damage for today?” I held out my credit card that had been in my front pocket, along with my car keys. I was dying to get those out and leave.
“With your adoption discount, it’s $59 today for the exam.” She took the card and swiped it, both of us standing in silence the entire time. Finally, after looking like she might erupt, she told me what was bothering her.
“He went out with my sister last year. He never called her again and she was very upset. It was just the one date, to the batting cages, but she felt a strong connection.” She shrugged. “Be careful with that one.”
Phew. The air thinned out immediately and I felt so relieved it wasn’therthat went out with him.
I took my card and receipt and daringly made eye contact with her again. She was back to smiling. “Thank you, Katie.” I nodded and smiled, and Dolly and I got out of there as fast as we could.
