“Actually, I can’t go out to breakfast,” I interjected. “I’ve got things to do before my shift tonight.”
“Are you sure?” Lizzy asked.
I may be willing to stick around and help her out, but there was no way I was going out to breakfast with her and her brothers.
“I’ll see you tonight,” I added, nodding to all of them as I walked out.
I wasn’t exactly thrilled to go back home where my drunk neighbor was waiting for me, but I could always kick her out. She had to have slept off a good portion of the alcohol by now.
Glancing down at my phone, I winced at the rather insignificant amount of time I’d been gone.
My phone rang just as I pulled in the drive, and I was surprised to see it was Archer calling.
“Yeah?”
“I hear you’re sticking around.”
“News travels fast,” I muttered. “That only happened about five minutes ago.”
“That’s all it takes around here.”
“Is there a point to this conversation?”
“Just thought I’d let you know you’re officially part of the town,” he chuckled.
“Yeah, well?—”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on edge as I felt the presence behind me. I grabbed the knife under the seat and spun, just barely stopping myself in time.
“Jesus!” I cried out, my breath heaving in large gaps as I nearly plunged my knife into the white dog in my back seat.
“What the hell was that?” Archer asked.
“Nothing.”
Hanging up, I flung the door open and pointed at the grass. “Out.”
The dog cocked his head at me, then let out a tiny yip.
“Now. Don’t make me come in there and drag you out.”
He barked again, but this time, jumped over the seat and out the door. His tail wagged at me expectantly.
“I don’t have anything for you. No treats. No food.”
He barked again.
“Stupid dog.” Stalking past him, I stomped up the steps to my house, pissed that a dog had nearly gotten the better of me.
Josie was still on the couch, still passed out from earlier. I slammed the door, but not in time to stop the mutt from racinginto my house and jumping up on the couch. His pink tongue darted out, licking Josie’s face until she woke up.
“What the heck?” she screeched, flinging her arms up to block her face.
The dog let out another yip, his little tail wagging.
Jerking the door open, I pointed outside. “Out. Now!”
The dog looked at me with almost a grin and barked again.
