But what DB was saying was true.
“A while back, she told me she’d never had a pet because of her parents' jobs,” I murmured, nodding when Alejandro immediately approached the scenario the instructor had set up with the right body language. For some reason, this made DB stiffen beside me.
“Three weeks ago, I decided I was done being just friends with her, so I did some research and started looking for things to show her how serious I was. Part of that included getting her a dog because she gets so excited when she sees one. Just as well your dad’s dog had a litter that went into training and I bought her one.”
There was a moment’s silence, and then DB asked, “So, what did her parents do?”
“Not a clue,” I shrugged, frowning when I thought again about how little I knew about her family.
“Maybe it’s time to get her to open up a bit if you’re looking at changing your relationship status?”
Nodding in agreement, I turned when the door opened, and in walked Tabby with Sheena in her arms.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she whispered when she got close to us. “We just wanted to say thank you for looking after Sheena, didn’t we, girl?” she cooed to her daughter, who waved and grinned at me like her shit didn’t stink.
I couldn’t resist, though, so I winked and tickled her stomach. “You’re welcome, stinky girl. But I wouldn’t mention toothbrushes to Zuri anytime soon.”
“Dave told me about the toothbrush,” Tabby winced. “Does it really make a sound like magic when the timer’s up?”
“Yup, and seeing as how there was a lot of cleaning to be done, we kept hearing it until he was finished scrubbing.” I gestured with my thumb to her husband.
“Huh. Well, if you find out where to buy them, could you get two more, please?”
Taking his daughter from her, DB tucked Sheena’s head under his chin and let out a sigh. “That’s a good idea. Sheena’s going to need one soon, and Olivia will love it, too.”
Blinking at him, Tabby tilted her head to the side. “Why would Sheena and Olivia love them?”
DB stopped and frowned at her. “Because that’s who you’re—” he stopped and groaned when it hit him. “You’re buying it for you, aren’t you?”
“Damn right, doggy. And Jose would love one, too.” Then, thinking about it, she said to me, “Maybe get four then, if you find them. Unless you’d like one, too?” she asked DB, making me smile.
“I’ll survive without one,” he deadpanned, kissing the top of his daughter’s head.
Rolling her eyes at him, Tabby turned back to me. “How’s Zuri?”
Checking my watch, I chuckled when I saw the time. “About to have some entertainment.”
And then I filled them in on why, enjoying it when DB laughed but panicking slightly when Tabby told me I was nuts.
I was slightly later than normal getting home, but the package I’d collected had been twenty-five minutes away from the precinct. Then it was a thirty-three minute drive back to Zuri’s house on the other side of town, which had been made longer by the rambunctious passenger in my truck.
Getting out, I let him into the enclosed yard at the back. “Behave and enjoy yourself. Remember the instructions, when I call you, you come running in and sit in front of her.”
Not answering, the key player in my plan turned and ran off to have a look around. I wish I had that much energy.
Opening the front door, I came to a halt when I saw the walls of brown boxes. “Uh…”
“You had some deliveries,” Zuri shouted from deeper in the house. “I didn’t open them because I knew they weren’t for me. The last thing I ordered was what I thought was one of those long carpets for the hallway, and it turned out to be bath mat sized.”
Well, shit, there went the first part of the plan.
Adapt, Garrett.
“Why don’t you help me open them?” I called back. “Can you bring a knife or pair of scissors, please?”
I could use the Leatherman in my pocket, but I was smarter than that.
I was still staring at them when her head poked out from behind one of the boxes, almost scaring the shit out of me as she held the scissors out. “What did you get?”
Winking at her, I gestured at her to do the honors. “That defeats the fun of opening them, so you’ll just have to wait and see.”
Lifting one of the boxes down for her, I waited as she cut the tape and then pulled the sides open. Of course there were packaging noodles, of fucking course. I get that they did a good job protecting stuff, but I don’t know one person who was happy when they opened a package with them in there. Why? Well, they went fucking everywhere. Even when you put them in a bag before you put them in the trash can, they find a way out of it, and then you’re stuck finding them in your grass and yard for weeks. Fuckers!