“Why not?”
We both look at the dog.
“Because it doesn’t suit him.
“Mm, maybe not,” he grudgingly agrees. Then he taps his chin, brow furrowed in concentration as he absentmindedly strokes the dog. “What about Cooper?”
Oh. I actually like that one. “Yeah.” I smile as Pete’s eyes light up. “Perfect.”
“You hear that, Coop?” Cooper licks his face and Pete laughs, gently easing him back a bit. “First things first: you need a bath.”
Contrary to what I’m expecting, Cooper is so eager to get in the bath we don’t even need to use the treats Pete brought up with him. Absolutely no coaxing required. I sit on the toilet while Pete carefully massages the shampoo Jerry gave him into Cooper’s coat.
The water coming off him isfilthy.
“Christ,” I mutter, and Pete hums in agreement. “I wonder how long he was out there?”
“Too long.”
“Thank fuck we heard him.” I shudder to think what might have happened if we hadn’t.
Pete makes soothing noises, Cooper putty in his hands as the water finally runs clear. His coat is so much lighter than I was expecting.
He looks like a different dog.
“There,” Pete coos, turning off the water and drying Cooper’s face before booping him on the nose. “Bet that feels better.”
Fuck me, it’s the cutest thing.
What isn’t cute is the way Cooper shakes water all over me and the bathroom as soon as we get him out of the bath. Pete laughs, hiding behind the towel he was supposed to be wrapping around the dog.
“Thanks for that.” I wipe water out of my eyes and mock glare at him.
He shrugs, eyes bright with amusement. “Sorry.”
“Sure you are.”
Downstairs, I set up Cooper’s bed in the kitchen while Pete prepares his food. It’s all very domesticated and it hits me hard in the chest as I realise how much I’m enjoying myself.
I’ve never been more grateful for Dan’s inability to plan properly. I’d be going home tomorrow if he weren’t still in my flat. And I can honestly say it’s the last place I want to be right now.
“All right?” Pete asks as he sets Cooper’s bowl on the floor.
“Yeah. Just thinking about my book.” It’s only a little white lie. I was thinking earlier about how I could incorporate a dog into my story. Dogs make everything better.
We both step back as Cooper tucks into his dinner like he’s starving, which I guess he probably is, even after the food he had at the vets.
Pete’s phone chimes with a text and he sighs as he picks it up. “Sadie,” he says, like he owes me an explanation. “I’m going to have to go into work soon.” He looks at Cooper and frowns. “Idon’t want to leave him here on his own, but I’m not sure how he’d be at the tree farm.”
Food hoovered up, Cooper strolls over to his new super comfy dog bed and collapses.
Pretty sure he’s out for the afternoon.
“I could watch him.” The words tumble out as soon as I think them. “If you want to keep him here, I could grab my laptop and bring it over. Work in the living room or in here. As long as you don’t mind leaving me in your house,” I add as an afterthought.
Pete scoffs. “Of course I don’t mind. And that’d be great, if you’re sure?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t.”
