Page 16 of Heavy Petting

“Come on, baby. Let’s go.”

I watched until they got inside, then headed back to my house with a little bounce in my step. I’d had a lot of first kisses in my fifty years on this Earth, but that was hands down the best. It had taken all my restraint not to hike Mabel up and take her right there against the garage door.

But I wouldn’t rush her. I instinctively knew she was worth waiting for.

The next morning I texted Mabel, already missing her.

Joshua: Hi, it’s Joshua. What are you up to today?

Mabel: How did you get my phone number?

Joshua: Your intake forms from when you brought Esmerelda into the clinic.

Mabel: Isn’t that against HIPAA or something?

Joshua: HIPAA applies to human patient privacy, not dogs.

Joshua: Is it OK that I texted you?

Mabel: Yep, I was just surprised. What are you doing today?

Joshua: I asked you first.

Mabel: Oh right. I have a tarot reading client at noon, then I was going to either clean the house or work on some of my freelance assignments.

Joshua: How would you feel about coming over to watch a movie with me tonight? I’ll cook dinner for us.

Mabel: Can you cook?

Joshua: Yes.

Mabel: Can I…

Joshua: Before you ask, yes you can bring Esmerelda.

Mabel: Okay, that sounds fun. How about six?

Joshua: Perfect. Here’s my address. See you tonight.

Mabel: Should I bring anything?

Joshua: Just yourself. And your dog.

After some internal debate, I settled on a menu for dinner and headed to the grocery store. When I got back, I cleaned my house from top to bottom, then put out some bowls of water and dog food in the kitchen for Esmerelda.

By the time I was done, it was time to get ready. I took a quick shower, then put on jeans and a long-sleeved Starlight Bay Veterinary Hospital tee shirt in a burgundy color that more than one woman had told me was a good color for me. Apparently it complemented my skin tone and brought out my eyes. I figured that was good.

Mabel and Esmerelda arrived promptly at six. She was wearing another skirt, this one black with tiny yellow daisies on it, falling a couple of inches above the knee. She’d paired it with black tights, yellow Chucks, a tight black knit tank, and a bright yellow sweater. She should have looked like a kindergarten teacher, but somehow her outfit was sexy as hell.

I couldn’t resist pulling her in for a quick hug. She smelled like oranges.

“I brought wine,” she said, brandishing a bottle. “And cookies.”

“Great. Come on in.”

As soon as Mabel unhooked her leash, Esmerelda took off to explore, her nails clattering on the hardwood floor.

“There’s water and food for you in the kitchen, Esmerelda,” I called.