It's Complicated: A Reservations Story

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” Beckett said, lifting his hands in surrender, showing Julian that his words might have had more bite than he’d intended.

“Full disclosure, and because you’re literally the only person on the planet who inspires me to be honest, I only chose Woofer because he was the least emotionally supportive animal presented to me. He has a hard time following the rules, which technically makes him my spirit animal, and he’s so fucking huge. That first day when I visited the center, he barked at me, getting my attention before I could look at any other dogs. I think he picked me as much as I picked him. But I see him as more of a guard dog. He’s so loud and looks fierce as hell.”

“So, you got him for the protection aspect?” Beckett asked as the light turned green.

“Yeah,” Julian said, trying to explain his decision. “Sounds lame when you say it, but I’m a lover, not a fighter.”

“Yeah? You put me on my ass several times yesterday,” Beckett teased as he drove through the neighborhood.

“I never planned to keep Woofer. I’m not sure it’s fair to him if I keep him. And he’s costing me a ton of money with dog walkers, groomers, his expensive food. I’m going home over and over during the day and night to check on him.”

“He doesn’t normally come to the office with you?” Beckett asked.

“No, just this week.”

Beckett pointed toward the condo community. Julian had to look around to realize what he was asking. They had made it to his complex, and he hadn’t even noticed.

“The code is my condo number, A121. Then pull into one of the front parking spaces. It’s a short walk.”

So close, in fact, that Woofer must have spotted them through the living room window. Julian could hear his deep, resonating bark as he rounded the hood of Beckett’s truck to the walkway leading to his unit.

“That’s Woofer?”

“Oh yeah,” Julian answered. “We’re close to my place.” He led the way through the common areas. He saw Woofer leap from the window toward the door. He was always so excited to see Julian. “Let me change. I was going to suggest you wait in the gym, but the dog probably wants to see you.”

He walked past the gym’s floor-to-ceiling windows and absently looked inside. He stopped dead in his tracks, causing Beckett to bump into him so hard that he was forced to take a step forward as he stared at the senior citizens working out inside the facility.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone inside there,” he said, counting each person. There were twelve men and women in workout attire following the direction of the class instructor.

“The note on the door says senior cardio class followed by CPR training,” Beckett said from over Julian’s shoulder.

“Well, I hope those are two different classes,” Julian quipped, grinning as he looked back at Beckett.

“Woofer is going nuts,” Beckett said, motioning to his front door and starting that direction. “We could train in your condo.”

Julian followed before Woofer managed to break through either the window or the door. He kept going back and forth between the two to get to them. “I don’t think we can train inside my condo.”

“I’ll keep my hands to myself.” Beckett casually threw the remark over his shoulder as if that should be a given. Julian agreed it was; he utterly trusted Beckett.

“That’s not the problem. I’ll let you see for yourself.” Julian edged past Beckett to unlock the door. He tried to push the door open, but Woofer crowded against it in his excitement.

“Your neighbors don’t mind this barking?”

“This is the first time it’s been this bad. Brace yourself.” Julian looked back over his shoulder to make sure Beckett was ready when Woofer bounded out.

Woofer launched past Julian, aiming for Beckett who instantly implemented his Jedi mind trick and said, “No. Sit.”

Woofer stopped dead in his tracks and dropped to his ass. His tongue slipped to the side of his mouth as he panted his excitement. His tail swung wildly. Beckett fisted a hand in the air, his eyes trained on Woofer who stayed quiet and waiting.

Beckett needed this dog. Maybe that was why Julian was so drawn to Woofer. He was the conduit to match these two beasts together.

“Good boy,” Beckett said, bending to pet the top of Woofer’s head and neck. He loved every single stroke.

“Come inside, you two.”

Beckett patted his thigh, and the super calm German shepherd trotted alongside Beckett, completely oblivious to Julian’s presence. Julian didn’t even feel slighted with as happy as Woofer was to be with Beckett. He might even have to agree with the contentment of the moment.

“My God, what’s going on in here?” Beckett asked.

Julian chuckled, looking over his packed living room. “I lived in a loft in LA. It was a nice size with those high ceilings. The furniture fit my loft very well, but not so much here. I have a storage unit that has most of my things, but I thought if I brought some of my furniture in here that it would motivate me to not stay too long.”