“Thinking too hard will cause your brain to explode,” I tease.
She rears back, looking at me like I have two heads. “Did you just try to tell a joke?”
“Calling it what it is usually takes out the humor of it,” I grumble.
“I just don’t know which kind she will like the best.”She sighs.
“Something tells me the food in the bowl is what she will care about most.”
She nods. “I guess that’s a good point.”
She picks up a dark green ceramic bowl, holding it toward Sadie with a soft smile. “What do you think of this one?” she asks, tilting it slightly.
She sniffs it, and then sticks her tongue out panting.
“Does that mean she likes it?” Bailey asks me.
“I’m not a dog whisperer, but I think so.”
She nods, and puts the bowl in the cart I’m pushing for her. We’ve already loaded up a large bag of food, a bed, some treats, and now a bowl. She puts another one in the cart, I assume for water and then we continue to the toy aisle.
Being here with her like this feels…normal. Unexpectedly so. And while I’d usually be searching for any excuse to leave, that urge isn’t there. It’s just easy being with her. No arguing. No tension. Not even anything sexual which is how I usually ground myself, how I stay in control. With her, right now, I don’t need that. I don’twantthat. Just being here with her is enough.
We get to just be ourselves and it’s simple. Easy.
After several minutes of Bailey giving Sadie toy options, she settles on a handful of toys stacked in the cart.
“I don’t know how we’re going to fit all of thisin my car with the two of you,” I tell her at the cash register. “I may have to make you guys walk home.”
“This joking thing doesn’t really suit you.” She shakes her head, but I catch the smile she tries to hide.
“Better yet, Sadie can get a ride with me, and you can walk home.”
“Now you’ve gone too far,” she deadpans, but when she turns to pay I catch the smile that peeks out.
“I got it,” I tell her, pulling out my wallet instinctively.
“Absolutely not.” She puts her hand up, swiping her card. The second her palm is flat against my chest I see her sharp intake of breath while I try to control my own reaction.
“Have a great day,” the cashier’s voice breaks the strong tether of tension between Bailey and I.
We leave, and I manage to wrangle everything she just bought in the small trunk. If we knew this would be happening today, we probably would’ve taken her car, but I like being in such close proximity to her.
Once we get back, I pull into my driveway and immediately go around to the trunk to help unload everything she bought. I watch as she releases her seatbelt and tries to detangle Sadie and the leash from the backseat.
My arms are both full as I follow her to her front door.
“I guess you can just set that stuff over there,” sheinstructs, removing the leash from Sadie’s head so she can explore. “Thank you, but I could have gotten it.”
“I know,” I tell her, simply. “I’m going to check on Bruno; let me know if you need anything.”
She nods, her hands slipping into her back pockets. This is the most awkward goodbye I think we’ve had. Do I kiss her? Hug her? Give her a high five?
I do none of the above, just giving her a single curt nod before walking out, feeling stupid and unsure. It shouldn’t be this difficult. For some reason when I take control of the situation and when she’s acting bratty it’s so much easier to know what to do. It’s natural. But in a simple, normal situation like this where all we’re doing is saying goodbye, I’m lost.
Bruno looks up at me from his spot on the couch when I walk in. “There may be a new friend for you next door.”
He wags his tail once, and I’d like to think he understands. Which is why I won’t say that it’s only temporary since he’s bound to find his perfect family. I ask if he wants to go outside and he jumps off the couch, stretching his legs before following me to the back door. I can’t help but keep my eyes on Bailey’s place thinking about what she and Sadie might be doing.
