“Do you have any questions?”
“Has she been fixed yet?” Sabastian asked, moving a bit so his leg touched my back.
“We prefer to wait until she’s six months old, then she will be. That will be included in the price, along with making that appointment before you leave today if you choose to adopt.”
“The paper said she was the smallest of the litter?”
“Yes. She’s the runt but in great health. So she’ll most likely stay on the smaller side as she grows. We are trying to work on potty training, but that’s only going to go so well with being in a place like this.”
“Understandable.”
Slowly, as the two talked, the puppy sniffed the ground, slightly wagging its tail. When she saw me, she slowly walked to me, like she wasn’t entirely sure about coming too close to me.
I knew that feeling. Being afraid of wanting comfort, yet desperately wanting it.
I stayed still, waiting. Just like the times that Sabastian waited me out.
Eventually, when it was most likely only a few minutes, the puppy lay down, crawling on its belly towards me. When she was in the distance of being touched, her tail wagged.
A moment later, she crawled into my lap, where I slowly let one hand run along her head.
She was just as soft as she looked. And I think I found what love meant. I wanted her.
Would Sabastian let me have her?
Chapter 40
Sabastian
I was going to get this puppy, I thought, as Oakley let the smallest of smiles lift his lips.
When she lightly jumped up, placing her paws on his chest to lick his face, a light giggle came from him. That alone was reason enough to get this dog.
Oakley needed someone to keep him company, and I should have thought of this option way before now.
“I think she likes you.”
Oakley’s eyes flashed to mine, a look I hadn’t seen there before clear as day. He wanted her and was already in love with it. And anything that made Oakley look happy, I was going to get him.
“I…she’s cute.” And slightly dirty.
I reached down to pet her head, and while she didn’t cower away, she wasn’t too sure about it, about me.
She’d be perfect for my boy.
I’d ask if he wanted her, but I wouldn’t. I knew he’d deny it, deny his happiness. Instead, as the lady came back in, I asked if I could speak to her outside. Although she gave me a funny confused look, she did so.
“I want that puppy, but I want it to be a surprise.”
“That’s kind of hard to do, sir. You have to sign papers and-“
“I know. But you see, my friend in there isn’t a fan of me buying them gifts, or anything, for that matter. If he knows what I’m doing, I’m afraid his trauma will take over, and not enjoy this experience as much as I’d like him to.”
“I’ll…see what I can do.”
“Here,” I pulled out my card, handing it over. “I’ll need dishes, a bag of food, and a few toys to tide us over for a few days.”
“Sure. You’ll have to sign the papers at the front, though.”
