What Happened That Night

“She is. She’s also thrilled that her half sister, Lilly, will be there for the wedding as well.”

Salvador nodded. “Did she tell you that Troy and she are going to start taking the classes to become foster care parents?”

“She did. I’m so proud of them. I think they’ll be wonderful foster parents.”

“Me too.”

Athena stretched and opened her eyes. “She’s awake,” I said. “Time to play.”

Salvador pushed away from the table. “I should probably take her outside to go potty.”

“I’ll do it. You stay inside and finish your dinner.” Before he could protest, I scooped up Athena and took her to the backyard.

“Go potty,” I said, setting her on the grass.

She did, and I showered her with praise. She wagged her little tail and looked up at me with those irresistible puppy dog eyes.

Maybe it was time to start thinking about getting another dog. It’d been over a year, and I missed the companionship. Not that my life wasn’t completely full already.

After Eddie forgave me, I accepted Meg’s offer to volunteer with the prison literacy program. At first, I committed to just a few hours a week. Before I knew it, however, I’d accepted a full-time position as director of the program.

Leaving my sweet library was difficult, and the pay cut was substantial, but sometimes you had to let go in order to embrace something new. Besides, the library was in good hands with Harriet who’d taken over my position.

Back inside my house, I found Salvador doing the dishes. The scene tugged at me in not an entirely uncomfortable way.

“How’d she do?” he asked.

“Perfect. You were right. She’s an extremely smart dog.”

He smiled as he loaded our cups, bowls, and spoons into the dishwasher. Turning to face me, he leaned against the counter. “Ruthie?”

“Yes.”

He gave a sheepish grin. “I have a confession to make.”

“Uh-oh.”

He laughed. “It’s not a bad confession, it’s a good one.”

“Okay. What is it?”

“The reason Abuela thought getting a dog might be a good idea is because I told her I was thinking about asking you out on a date.”

“Salvador.”

“Don’t say anything right now, okay? Just think about it. And if you want Athena, she’s yours.”

“She’s mine? What do you mean?”

“I bought her for you. If you don’t want her, you don’t have to take her, but she’s a good dog.”

“I want her,” I said before either one of us could change our minds.

Salvador grinned. “Yeah? So that means you’ll go out on a date with me?”

Laughing, I lifted Athena and buried my face in her soft fur. “I’ll go out with you, but what happens if it’s a disaster? What happens if we have a miserable time?”

Salvador chuckled. “Then you can still keep the dog, cariño.”

“Really?”

He laughed. “Really.”

“Okay. Let’s go out and see what happens.”