Chapter 3
Mel did one final lap around her house. She wanted to make sure that everything was in order for Mase. She had spent the two days since visiting the shelter to buy everything Mase could possibly need. She wished her fenced in backyard was bigger, but she knew that the dog park and the beach access made up for her own lack of space. Mel couldn’t believe the day had finally come.
Mel startled at the sound of a car door slamming outside. She raced to the front door and swung it open before Jordan had the chance to knock. Jordan stood with an expression of stunned surprise. Mase’s head poked out from in between Jordan’s legs. Mel gave a smile at the dog’s lopsided head movement. Mase was clearly trying to figure out where he was.
“Can I let him come in?” Jordan asked with a smile.
“Of course. I’m all ready for him,” Mel said assuredly.
Jordan gave a slight tug on the leash and, with a moment of coaxing, Mase bounded into the house. Mel was glad she had picked up as Mase ran from room to room. Jordan closed the front door.
“You have a lovely home,” Jordan said, taking in her surroundings.
“Thank you.” Mel ushered Jordan into the living room.
Mase had already found a spot on the couch and was laying on his back watching them. Jordan glanced over at the dog and smiled. Mel gave a little laugh.
“He seems to have made himself at home,” Jordan smiled.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Mel smiled.
“While he’s busy, why don’t you take me outside and show me the yard?” Jordan suggested.
Mel led Jordan out her back door to her yard. If one could even refer to the tiny space as a yard. Jordan tapped a finger against her chin.
“Usually, I would say this isn’t big enough for a dog his size. But you have access to a dog-friendly beach, and the dog park is right across the street. So I don’t think this will be a problem.”
Mel breathed a sigh of relief. Mase poked his head through the open door and bounded outside. Mel watched as the dog sniffed every blade of grass. Jordan gave another smile.
“Do you mind showing me the rest of the house?” Jordan asked.
“Of course.”
They called Mase and he followed them inside. Mel gave Jordan a tour of the rest of the house. When they were done Jordan followed her back to the living room.
“Everything looks perfect. I think you’re all ready to go,” Jordan smiled. Mase came over and gave Jordan’s hand a lick. Jordan scratched the dog behind the ears.
“You be a good boy, Mase,” Jordan commanded. The dog tilted his head to the side as if he was trying to understand.
“And you know where to find me if there’s anything I can do to make the transition easier,” Jordan said, pointing at Mel.
“Thank you. You’ve been beyond helpful,” Mel smiled.
“Don’t forget that adopted dogs get to use the doggy daycare free for the first year,” Jordan smiled.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll get to see Mase. Especially as we figure out my work schedule.”
“Well, Mase is doubly welcome any time. He’s one of my favorites. Even though I don’t have favorites.” Jordan sent Mel a wink.
Mel walked Jordan to the door and waved goodbye. Mase seemed confused by Jordan’s absence, but not concerned. He walked back to his favorite place on the couch and laid down.
“No dog bed for you, huh?” Mel asked. She pointed at the fluffy bed on the ground. Mase wagged his tail but made no move to get up.
A knock on the door drew Mel’s attention. She glanced around the room, unsure of anything that Jordan may have left behind. When she answered the door her friend Brianna stood there with a giant dog bone in hand. Brianna came inside with a flurry of movement. Mase looked at her as if he were trying to solve a puzzle.
“Oh my gosh! Is that him?” Brianna asked excitedly.
“This is Mase,” Mel laughed.
Brianna was the type of person who was constantly evolving. When she’d met Brianna she had been working as a deejay. Back then she had gone by Bri. But recently, she’d decided that the full version of her name was better. Mel was still trying to get used to calling her Brianna. Brianna had also recently started a new job with the LezGetaway travel agency.
“HI, Mase. I’m your auntie Brianna.” Brianna lay the bone on the ground. The offering was immediately accepted by Mase.
“What are you doing here?” Mel laughed.
“I took an extended lunch break to come say hello to my adopted nephew,” Brianna chided.
“Oh my goodness! You will find any reason to get out of work,” Mel accused.
“Not so. I love my job, because I get to do things like this.”
Mel shook her head and watched as Brianna scratched Mase behind the ears.
“Okay, auntie Brianna do you want to come with me to take Mase to the dog park?” Mel asked.
“I thought you’d never ask,” Brianna grinned.
Mel picked up Mase’s leash and a tennis ball that she’d bought for him. Brianna practically skipped through the door.
“I had no idea you were such a dog person. You could talk to Jordan about adopting. Then your dog could be friends with Mase,” Mel suggested. Brianna broke out into a fit of laughter. Mel was taken off guard.
“I’m sorry,” Brianna said, holding up a hand.
“I don’t want a dog of my own. But I love the idea of being able to be your dog’s auntie. All of the fun with none of the responsibilities. That’s something I’m more than happy to sign up for,” Brianna explained. Mel giggled.
“Why do I feel like this is what I have to look forward to if I have children?” Mel asked.
“Oh, it one hundred percent is how I’ll be with your kids one day. Being a professional auntie to my friend’s dogs and kids is my dream,” Brianna laughed.
Mel found herself scanning the dog park. For days she had been nervous about running into Willow and Sushi. So far she’d been able to avoid any other run-ins, but one couldn’t be too careful. Brianna eyed her suspiciously.
“Is there a reason why you look so nervous?” Brianna asked.
Brianna had always had a protective nature, especially where Mel was concerned. A fact which Mel more than appreciated. There was something undeniably safe about having a person who would be on her side no matter what.
“I had a run-in with some woman the other day. It has me a little on edge. You know how I dislike conflict,” Mel explained.
“What happened? And who do I need to confront for you?” Brianna asked. With her head shaved to the skin on one side, Brianna looked undeniably tough. She was tall and with her athletic frame she looked strong. Mel could see how someone who didn’t know Brianna might think she was tough. But Mel couldn’t see anything but her squishy friend who cried at sad commercials when she looked at Brianna.
“Nothing bad happened. Her dog got away from her and wrapped us both up in its leash. She was telling me not to move but I really thought I could get my foot out. We both ended up falling in the mud.”
Brianna’s laughter rang out again.
“Leave it to you to make a good first impression,” Brianna chuckled.
“Well, you’ve got that right. I definitely made an impression.”
“Oh, come on. How mad could this woman be when her dog started the trouble to begin with?” Brianna asked.
“Pretty mad. She accused me of getting her muddy. Then stormed off without even asking if she could help me with the bags her dog knocked out of my hand,” Mel complained. Sometimes it felt good to complain to a sympathetic ear.
“Well, that’s just rude,” Brianna said.
“Exactly! Thank you.”
They opened the gate to the dog park and found only a few people and dogs were there. Mase bolted as soon as she took off his leash. It didn’t take him long to start playing games with a lab puppy.
“The real question about your mystery woman is, did you think she was cute?” Brianna asked. Mel flashed her a grimace.
“So that’s a yes.”
“Who cares if she was cute? She was intolerable in every other way,” Mel teased.
“Hmm, and what did this intolerable woman look like?” Brianna pressed.
“Well, she had red hair and a pretty dress. Until she fell into the mud.”
“And?” Brianna asked.
“And she was tall and graceful. She looked like she belonged on a cover of a magazine.”
“Wow. All that, huh?”
“Yeah. All that. But like I said she was pretty intolerable.”
The lab puppy left and Mase bounded up to them, ready for more fun. Mel threw the ball and he dashed away. Within a minute he brought it back. This time Mel raised her arm and took a big step back.
“Hey. Watch out!” Someone exclaimed behind her.
But it was too late. Mel lost her footing and stumbled back into the person. Together they fell backwards to the ground. Mel landed with a thud on top of the other person. She glanced down and found that her hand had landed on their thigh. She yanked her hand away.
“I’m so sorry,” Mel said emphatically as she gently rose to her feet. She turned and saw none other than Willow sitting in the dirt. Willow shot her an unamused grimace. A tall woman who stood beside Willow glanced nervously between the two of them.
“Why is it that whenever you’re around I find myself in the dirt?” Willow asked.
Mel was vaguely aware of Brianna standing beside her.
“Maybe because you have a bad habit of not looking where you’re going,” Brianna bit out. Willow’s eyes snapped to Brianna for the first time.
Mel could see from the look on Willow’s face that she wasn’t ready to involve any other humans in their feud. Mel wasn’t ready either. She watched as Willow’s friend stepped protectively in front of her. Mel laid a hand on Brianna’s arm, gently holding her back.
“You’re right. We’re sorry for not paying better attention,” Willow’s friend said jovially.
“Me, too. I didn’t realize you had come in. But I could have looked behind me before stepping backwards,” Mel offered.
“I guess I could have been paying better attention,” Willow admitted though somewhat reluctantly.
“Great. Then it’s all settled. We’re all clumsy. We’re just going to go hang out over there. It was nice to meet you both,” Willow’s friend said with a good-natured smile. Brianna gave her a nod and the woman smiled again. When they were gone Mel rounded on Brianna.
“Oh, my lands. That was her. That was the woman.”
“I figured,” Brianna chuckled.
“Wow. You really stepped in there, buddy.” Mel laughed.
“No one talks to my best friend that way,” Brianna said, her tone was serious.
“What was that head nod at the end? Between you and her friend,” Mel asked.
“The protective friends acknowledging that neither wants any trouble with the other,” Bri explained.
“I had no idea protective friends had their own language.”
“It’s mostly grunts and head nods,” Brianna teased.
Mel laughed, shaking her head at Brianna. She couldn’t help but let her gaze wander over to where Willow and her friend were standing. Or was that her girlfriend? Mel took in Willow from afar. Willow was the type of woman that was so stunning it made her eyes hurt. She wore a pair of cutoff shorts and a white tank top, which now had a pattern of dirt across it. Mel felt herself wince. But she only allowed it for one second. Why should she be the one who kept feeling bad for these disastrous interactions? Mel knew that a large part of it was her people pleasing nature. She hated it when someone was angry with her. You don’t have to feel bad. Not when Willow is the one being the jerk. She told herself.
Mel let her inner dialogue wrap around her. A moment later she was distracted by the sight of Mase and Sushi playing. She almost called Mase back, but he was so happy that she simply smiled. When she glanced back to Willow she saw that she wore a smile on her face at the spectacle as well. She couldn’t help noticing that Willow had a great smile. Mel wished that she got to see that side of Willow as opposed to the irritable jerk side of her. She shook her head and looked away. Today was a happy day and no one was going to ruin that for her, especially not Willow.