I needed to do what now?
My whole fucking body was tingling as I got out of Holden’s pickup with Oscar in my arms. “They’re dog friendly, I promise.”
I carried Holden’s sweet dog with me into Two Bitches Saloon, a dog friendly bar in Baltimore. The bar, which had fantastic food for both humans and their precious pooches, had a separate side for people without dogs, and it was conveniently two blocks from my house.
I turned to see Holden had hopped out of the truck and was following me, which was a relief. “Okay. Sure. I could eat.”
We went inside and I stepped up to the host stand. “Two humans and a pup.” I took one of Ossie’s paws and waved at the host.
The young woman grinned and pointed at Oscar. “What’s his name?”
“This is Oscar.”
She grinned and held up a pet treat. I turned to Holden, who grinned and nodded as he slid off his beanie and tried to smooth down his golden brown hair which was waving in every direction.
“If you’ll follow me.” The young lady led us to a table by the large garage door that was open in the summer. There was a door nearby if one needed to take out their dog to do its business in the small dog yard they had outside.
Holden reached into the pocket of his coat and produced a simple leash, clipping it to Oscar’s collar. “You can put him down.”
I nodded and lowered the sweet pup to the floor, and Oscar took full advantage of the distance the leash gave him, sniffing at everything he could reach.
“I’m, uh, I’m close enough to walk home, so I’ll be having a drink.” I felt like an idiot announcing that I was planning to have a drink, but I needed something to steady my nerves.
"Okay. Is the food good?”
I chuckled. “It’s fantastic, and they have a separate menu for the dogs.” Just as I said it, our server came over and put down a bowl of water for Oscar.
“Welcome to Two Bitches Saloon. I’ve got your puppy covered, so what can I get you two to drink?”
I extended my hand to Holden for him to go first. “This is on me. I’m not kidding.”
“I’ll have a draft lager, please.” The server nodded before turning to me.
“I’ll have the same.” She smiled before she walked over to Oscar and gave him a pet.
She headed to the kitchen, and Holden turned his attention to me. “You come here often?”
I chuckled. “Usually for lunch. It’s a great place to come for a quick bite. The staff are nice, and I like watching the dogs.”
Holden glanced up. “You like dogs?”
“I love dogs, but our building doesn’t allow them. That’s why I come here for lunch when I can. They have a great selection and watching the dogs play makes me smile.”
Suddenly, Oscar began barking, as did a bunch of other dogs nearby. I glanced around, trying to figure out why, but I saw nothing for a moment.
As I turned toward the door, I saw Happy being dragged out of the restaurant but I couldn’t see who, or what, was doing the dragging, just that she was fighting it and failing. I started to get up to follow her, but I couldn’t move. It was as if I was paralyzed. The dogs continued barking as though the apocalypse was upon us.
“Stay away.”
The voice came from nowhere and everywhere at once. Nobody seemed to be affected other than me, which was yet another creepy new thing in my life. Holden turned in his chair as a loud clatter sounded and a man came through with two hugedogs on leashes. Holden stared at the man before shrugging and turning back to me.
“That’s strange.” He gave Oscar a pat on the head, and the pup settled down under Holden’s chair.
Suddenly, I could move. It was as though I’d been tied up and someone cut the rope.
What the hell was that?
Chapter Nine
